| Littlehampton like other S Coast locations can differ from one
day to the next depending on the height and state of the tides as
well as wind direction - and without stating the obvious, wind speed
once you arrive there.
Launching at high tide is not as bad as other locations due to
the lack of groynes and sea defenses, though without the groynes
there is a noticeable and quite strong rip close in to shore which
has claimed many a mast.
Like Worthing along to to the West, it benefits from local sea
breezes from May through to September - the rest of the year keep
an eye on the forecasts, the map above will give you a good idea
of what winds are suitable.
Anything from the North West, though that can be gusty through
to ENE will work, though in the winter and early spring anything
with East in them should have a health warning as quite a considerable
wind chill goes with them.
Best conditions as has already been mentioned is a westerly after
a couple of days of strong South Westerlies - that will provide
good down the line riding if the swell is at all decent. Littlehampton
is a great location for bump n'jump sailing or what ever you're
in to, like all locations, beware at high tide, at low tide great
for intermediates keen to progress.
You don't want to get caught up in this lot with your kit
The River Arun goes out to sea with strong currents!
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Looking back across East beach from West beach
Mind your speed here......
The prevailing wind is from the SW, and even though in the summer
the wind might start off in the NE with the local sea breeze kicking
you'll find that the wind will swing round to the SW and blow a steady
F5+ - though BE CAREFUL if sailing late on a summers evening, as
the sea breeze will die as quickly as it kicks in, plus it will swing
round offshore to the NW, leaving you with a bit of a swim, or worse
still if you get stuck out at sea!
The first signs of the sea breeze dying are pretty obvious, with
the wind dropping off, though some persistent "gits" often
choose to ignore this, the wind will also start backing round to
the west, and finally the NW and drop completely - you have been
warned!
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