Watersports and adventure on the Kent coast

Kent's coastline can offer a wide range of watersports for adventurous and active holidaymakers from sailing to waterskiing and surfing.

The Thanet Peninsula, which contains the towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate, in the far north-east of Kent is one of the best places to head in the county, and has a long association with sailing, as well as offering plenty of other watersports.

For a sailing holiday you can get onto the water with one of the area's many sailing and yachting clubs, many of which offer practical lessons and boat hire.

Ramsgate has the widest range of facilities in the area for yachts and larger boats, as well as boasting a 700-berth marina, which is the UK's only royal harbour.

A highlight at the marina this summer will be the Ramsgate Week Annual Regatta, taking place from August 11th to 17th 2007, which will attract international sailing competitors. The top prizes include the Ramsgate Gold Cup, which will be raced for on the last day of the event, and the Queen Elizabeth Cup.

For dingy sailing the top places to go are the Margate Yacht Club at Minnis Bay in Margate and Broadstairs Sailing Club in Viking Bay, Broadstairs.

Margate is also Thanet's windsurfing hotspot, and is home to the Minnis Bay Windsurfing Club. If you have not tried it before, you may be surprised to find the boards can be very light and easy to get to grips with, making windsurfing suitable for people of all abilities.

Designated windsurfing areas include Minnis Bay, Palm Bay and Westbrook Bay. Minnis Bay is particularly good for beginners as at low tide the water is shallow enough for surfers to stand.

Minnis Bay is also good for kitesurfing, along with Pegwell Bay and Ramsgate Sands.

Walpole Bay and Palm Bay have designated areas for holidaymakers wanting to go jet skiing, and for the thrill of waterskiing, the Foreness Water Ski Club in Margate is the place to go.

For holidaymakers keen on learning to catch a wave, Joss Bay in Broadstairs has breaking waves at low and high tide on a good day. For lessons there is the Joss Bay Surf School.

For more information on watersport facilities in Thanet in Kent visit www.tourism.thanet.gov.uk