SITE TYPE | COASTAL | LOCATION | 51.2286 / -3.5688 | |
SITE ACCESS | OPEN | GRID REF. | SS905488 | |
PILOT RATING | CP | TAKE OFF | ||
WIND DIRECTION | N - NNE | PARKING | ||
BEST | N | HEIGHT | 655 feet (200m) | |
XC POTENTIAL | UNLIKELY | TOP - BOTTOM | 655 feet (200m) |
Selworthy
SITE TYPE | COASTAL | LOCATION | 51.2286 / -3.5688 | |
SITE ACCESS | OPEN | GRID REF. | SS905488 | |
PILOT RATING | CP | TAKE OFF | ||
WIND DIRECTION | N - NNE | PARKING | ||
BEST | N | HEIGHT | 655 feet (200m) | |
XC POTENTIAL | UNLIKELY | TOP - BOTTOM | 655 feet (200m) |
SITE TYPE | COASTAL | LOCATION | 51.2286 / -3.5688 | |
SITE ACCESS | OPEN | GRID REF. | SS905488 | |
PILOT RATING | CP | TAKE OFF | ||
WIND DIRECTION | N - NNE | PARKING | ||
BEST | N | HEIGHT | 655 feet (200m) | |
XC POTENTIAL | UNLIKELY | TOP - BOTTOM | 655 feet (200m) |
Site Rules​
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​This is unforgiving site - experienced pilots only
Hazards​
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​A potentially dangerous site.
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The climb up from the beach is difficult and dangerous.
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Backing sea breeze winds eliminate lift and may result in bottom landings.
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Don't launch here if you are expecting the sea breeze, wait at Bossington instead.​
About​
Not often flown except on Bossington days when the wind has gone north. If you are walking out to Bossington and the wind is from the north it is worth walking around to check the wind at Selworthy.
Coastal soaring is often considered to be safer than inland, thermic flying however the club sees more accidents on the coast than inland each year. Robin Wallace (Wessex HGPG) has produced an excellent guide to the dangers and pitfalls of coastal flying which should be essential reading for all pilots:-
Access & Parking
From West take A39 to Minehead turn left into town centre along High Street.
From East take A39 to Minehead straight across first roundabout, fork right at second round about, T junction turn right onto High Street. Turn left off High Street and left again sign posted "North Hill", keep following signs to North Hill, drive along top of hill for about 3 miles until road ends at a car park
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From the car park the launch is NNW. Take the path North from the North East corner of the car park and then NW then N to the grassy slopes above the cliffs
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Guidlines
HG & PG Experienced pilots only. Ensure conditions are strong enough to stay up, as going down is not a good option.
Bottom Landing
Bottom landing is possible on the beach at low tide only, (but is not recommended due to quicksand and lack of path up).
Beware the beach disappears at high tide. It may be possible, with great difficulty to climb up the scree slopes from the beach with a PG; this would probably be impossible with a HG.
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On the grassy slopes immediately below take off, it is possible to land above the cliffs/scree but not recommended as the slopes are very steep and you may find yourself slipping down, over the steeper scree/cliffs and onto the beach.
If you launch and think you are going down, side land immediately.
Top Landing
Behind takeoff. Any suitable clear patch in the heather/gorse, look carefully at the area as you walk out and from the air before your choose your spot.
Further East there are fields which have been used for top landings. On days with reasonable height gains it is possible to fly back to an area North East of the car park but do not land in the Car Park.
XC Potential
This is part of the ridge run from North Hill. Recommended that you launch at North Hill instead. ​
Airspace
None
All pilots using Devon & Somerset Condors HGPG sites must be current BHPA flying members, hold a minimum rating of CP Hill and obtain a site brief from a pilot who regularly flies the site.
The information contained in this document is provided purely as guidance. It is not intended to be an exhaustive guide to the hazards that may be encountered and it is the responsibility of individual pilots to carry out their own assessment of the site and weather conditions before making a decision to fly.
Neither the Devon & Somerset Condors Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, authors of this guide, editors of this guide, any official or member of the club in any way accept liability for any accident, injury, or loss, to any person, resulting from free flying activities or the use of this guide.