Paragliding Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay, located in England, UK, is an interesting coastal ridge site that is rarely used. The site has a height of 55 meters and is rated as medium difficulty. It is important to follow the site rules strictly. The site is closed on Bank Holiday weekends. Never overfly the Holiday Park or attempt to land there. During winter months, staff lock the gates around 4 pm, so ensure your car is on the correct side. Do not take off in front of 'Cedars' or 'Westdown View' caravans. For bottom landing, you can land on the beach, but make sure to avoid holidaymakers. The walk back up is steep and very unpleasant in wet conditions. There are no side-slope landing options available. Top landing is possible in the field east of the takeoff. The landing can be very rough, especially when the wind is off to the south. Approach with speed and land well back. Paragliders can land at the takeoff, but you need to work out your approach carefully to avoid the rotor. Pilots are regularly dumped here. The coastal ridge runs to Budleigh Salterton, offering some XC potential. However, there are several hazards to be aware of. Do not overfly the rifle range on Straight Point when red flags are flying (right of takeoff). The beach may be full of nude holidaymakers, which can be distracting, but you must avoid them when landing. The nearest phone is located at the Holiday Camp. Please park considerately and be prepared to pay a £5 parking fee. Parking should only be in the spaces up by the corral-style fence and not near the caravans. Pilots should carefully assess the beach landing options. The beach has been eroded down to bedrock, and local pilots suggest that beach landing is only possible on spring tides at low water. At mid to high tide, there is little or no bottom landing available. Even if landing on the beach is possible, there are large boulders, and access back to takeoff is only possible via a long walk back through Budleigh. This site should not be flown without a site briefing due to considerable recent changes. It is not suitable for inexperienced pilots without guidance. An experienced visitor recently described it as the worst takeoff in the world. If the wind is slightly off to the south (170 degrees), consider using Beer Head or Branscombe instead. Wind direction on the cliff face can be very misleading. Directions: Follow signs from Exmouth to Sandy Bay Holiday Park (now known as Devon Cliffs) and drive in through the main entrance. Entry is usually granted, but please do not park in bays allocated to holiday homes or walk through the separately fenced West Down View residential caravan site. Takeoff is just east or west of the stile, depending on wind direction. Owners: Nigel Lee & Devon Cliffs - Upper & Lower Takeoff. Nigel Lee - Top landing. Guidelines: The site is closed during school spring and summer holidays. Never overfly the Holiday Park or World of Country Life or attempt to land there. The World of Country Life has animals that are easily frightened by paragliders, and Hawkridge Birds of Prey within the site has a public demonstration arena with free-flying hawks and owls. They train their birds even in winter. Before flying, check with the Hawkridge Birds of Prey office at 07843098727 to confirm that your flight plan will not conflict with their activities. If in doubt, ask on either of the Condors' Telegram groups. The Birds of Prey operator, Richard Beech, requests that pilots do not fly above the cliff top until reaching the golf course when his birds are training/flying, usually several times a day (e.g., 11:00, 13:00, 15:00). In winter months, staff lock the barrier around 4 pm, so ensure your car is on the correct side. For bottom landing, land near Budleigh and organize a lift back. Avoid other beach users (fishermen, nudists, etc.). For top landing, the field east of the stile is available. The landing can be very rough, especially when the wind is off to the south. If you have obtained clearance to land at the back of the field, this may be the smoothest option in other wind directions. Paragliders can land near the cliff front in favorable conditions. Work out your approach carefully and avoid the rotor. Pilots used to be regularly dumped here, and conditions have not improved. Rotor extends to 150ft AGL over the landing field in strong winds. Hazards: Do not overfly the rifle range on Straight Point when red flags are flying (right of takeoff). The beach west of Budleigh is a semi-official nudist beach. Mobile phone coverage is patchy near the cliff top. For more information, visit: [Sandy Bay Guidelines](https://www.dscondors.co.uk/Content/Sites/Site.aspx?SiteName=Sandy%20BayGuidelines) Watch a video of the site: [YouTube Video]( ) For additional details, visit: [DS Condors](https://www.dscondors.co.uk/cms/node/277)