Thorntonloch Windsurfing Guide
General info
Windsurfing ratings
Thorntonloch Gallery
Thorntonloch has nothing to do with chocolates or inland lakes. It's got a lot to do with reefs, nuclear power and a year round water temperature of about 18 degrees. Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration but it's a perculiar place but with potentially great conditions - it's a must visit. The bay consists of a sandy beach with a holiday park, a nuclear power station to the north and striking hills to the south.
The entry to the water is sand but at low tide you might have to hobble across reef to get to fin depth water. In terms of wave-riding there is a reef in the middle of the bay offshore, a reef north of the bay and a sand bottom beach break as well oppositde the holiday park. Basically there are plenty of options for down the line conditions and definitely good cause to take a surfboard with you. The waves off the reef are pretty potent, so you can always catch waves on the beach break if that is more your level.
Features
Look for winds from the north or north-west for down the line conditions, port tack and conversely south to south east winds for starboard tack.
Considerations
At mid to low tide areas of the reef will are exposed and will potentially take you fin off so keep your eye on the outcrops. Once you get out far enough, you should be ok.