The Osbornes

The Osbornes gets its name from being opposite Osborne house on the IOW. It provides shallow flat water available at 3 meters of tide and lower. Suitable for kitesurfing. As the pools are too shallow for windsurfing. High tide is a great place to go supping but a bit of a walk from the car park so paddle round and take a look. Parking: This spot is ride to only! Park at Hill Head (Salterns park car park) or Meon shore. Plenty of parking is available at either of these. I would chose Hill Head to park as it means you get to downwind back once your tired and pack up on the grass. Refreshment: Ice cream vans at each car park. And local express shops for anything else within 3 minutes drive. Wetsuit boots are near on essential unless you don’t mind cutting your feet especially if you're a beginner who is going to be standing a lot. Note that on a southwest Hill Head experiences a good sea breeze on a sunny day, as well as a Venturi affect between Hurst Castle and the IOW bringing stronger winds to this area. Please only experienced local kitesurfer’s enter the water on cross shore conditions as these are always changeable and currents on spring tides in the channel can cause problems. Kitesurfers Not for any rider below comfortable upwind riding as you cannot touch the sea floor at any point so it is unsafe unless you can get your self away from the beach. There is also groins partially submerged at the highest of tides so make sure you have a good idea of where they are before you head out on high tide sessions. * Mid Tide = 1.5-3.5m to Low tide = 1.5m and lower: Excellent for all levels. Tidal pools with flat water available at mid tide with shallow water for quite a way out. Low tide brings similar water state to high tide but with shallow water areas suitable for all levels Record updated by: George Dufty (George Dufty Coaching)