✅ You Can Kitesurf at Pegwell Bay

Recreational kitesurfing at Pegwell Bay is allowed.
There is no law, PSPO, byelaw or regulation that bans individual kitesurfers from using the tidal water.

Pegwell remains one of Kent’s most important kitesurfing spots.

✅ You Have a Legal Right to Access the Tidal Water

Kitesurfers have a long-established right of navigation on tidal waters.
This means you can:

• Access the water from the shoreline

• Launch and land safely

• Ride on the tidal water

as long as you do so responsibly.

No licences, permissions or exemptions are required for recreational riders.

✅ You Can Ride at Any Tide State

There are no restrictions on when you can enter the water.
Choose conditions suitable for your skill level and stay aware of other users.

✅ You Can Ride While Respecting Wildlife

Pegwell Bay is an environmentally important site, but responsible riding causes no harm.
Good practice includes:

• Staying at least 200 metres away from roosting and nesting areas

• Avoiding low kite passes near resting birds

• Giving the saltmarsh edge plenty of space

These guidelines match what the local kiting community already does.

✅ You Can Continue to Use Pegwell in a South-Westerly Wind

There are no alternative safe launch sites in Kent during a south-westerly wind — the most common wind direction.
For this reason, Pegwell Bay remains essential for local kitesurfers.

✅ You Do Not Need a Licence or Written Consent

Only commercial activities (schools, instructors, or paid lessons) are unable to obtain licences at this time.
This does not affect individual riders.

Recreational kitesurfers do not need:

• A licence

• A permit

• Written Natural England consent

• PSPO exemptions

• Memberships

You can simply arrive, assess conditions and go kiting.

✅ You Can Ride Confidently – There Is No Evidence of Harm

A 2024 Freedom of Information request to Natural England confirmed:

• They hold no evidence that kitesurfing has ever harmed wildlife at Pegwell Bay

• Birds occasionally flying off is not considered environmental damage

• Current kiting levels are far too low to cause any negative ecological effect

Scientific research on similar sites supports this.

✅ You Can Help Protect Pegwell Bay

Kitesurfers contribute positively to the bay by:

• Organising beach cleans

• Removing plastic, nets and marine debris

• Clearing fishing line and hazards

• Reporting environmental concerns

• Acting as eyes-on-the-water

The community’s environmental stewardship far outweighs any minor disturbance from responsible kiting.

Summary: What Kitesurfers Can Do at Pegwell Bay

✔ Kitesurf recreationally
✔ Access the tidal water from the beach
✔ Launch and land safely
✔ Ride in any tide state
✔ Use Pegwell in a south-westerly wind
✔ Enjoy the bay without permits
✔ Ride responsibly around wildlife
✔ Continue using the site as normal
✔ Contribute to keeping the bay clean

Kitesurfing is allowed. The bay is for everyone — riders, walkers, birdwatchers and wildlife — and with responsible use, kitesurfers can continue enjoying Pegwell Bay for many years to come.