Dylan Collingbourne
28 Jun 2025
"South Westerly breeze over the weekend with Saturday in the middle breeze dropping off to Sunday."
Key Weather Details
Wind:
Sat: 9/10 knots gusting 15 from SW
Sun: 4/5 knots gusting 8/10 from SSW
Tide:
Sat: High water 12:05 (2.1m)
Sun: High water 12:44 (2.0m)
Water State: Flat water near Chesil beach as there would not have been a long enough fetch, but in the centre of the harbour and near the harbour walls there will likely be short sharp chop due to the wind strength.
Sat: 19 degrees with overcast rising to 22 sunshine in the afternoon.
Sun: 20 degrees rising to 23 in the late afternoon with mostly sunny weather.
Other Notes: With the race area inside the harbour, the islands will play a large influence in the direction of the wind as it is likely that the course with Brownsea Island being the largest influence on wind but also tide.
For a detailed understanding of what each wind model means - have a look here. Arome is typically the most reliable.
Day Breakdown
Saturday:
Morning | Early afternoon | Late afternoon |
9-10 knots gusting 12-14 SW 19 degrees Flat water and starting to build in gusts Overcast | 10-12 knots gusting 14-15 SW 21 degrees Still relatively flat but focused in gusts Sunny intervals | 10-12 knots gusting 14-17 SW 22 degrees Short sharp chop in longer fetches Sunny intervals |
Sunday:
Morning | Early afternoon | Late afternoon |
4-5 knots gusting 6 SSW 20 degrees Flat water Sunny intervals | 5-8 knots gusting 10-12 SSW 22 degrees Flat water Sunny | 8 knots gusting 12-13 SSW 23 degrees Flat water Sunny |
Tactical Considerations
The tidal flow when flooding goes NW and when ebbing goes out of the harbour in SE direction. Note the time of the change near midday. When sailing to the course, take in where the channel markers are for the deeper water.
The wind will bend around Brownsea Island so as part of practice when sailing to the course, sail close to Brownsea to note any shifts.
The supplementary sailing instructions can be found here for the Parkstone GP.
Be smart when sailing downwind, ask yourselves the question similar to upwind, are you sailing to the next mark? Make a planned route where you want to sail downwind as this should be influenced on the journey upwind.
For Sunday, remember to keep the boat "driving" in the little stuff! "Is the kite pulling you downwind?"
When ashore, please keep up to date with the live weather around the harbour by using Windycator V2.
Goodluck everyone!