Works in SSouth Downs · Southern Hang Gliding Club
Newhaven Cliffs
A low coastal cliff that saves the day when Beachy is too big or Caburn is blown out, with a 6.5-mile run to Brighton on its day.
Facts from the Southern Hang Gliding Club guide · pilots are adding the local read
Before you goFour short horn blasts from the Coastwatch team means a rescue is on, land at once. A managed nature reserve flown on an informal arrangement, so fly it carefully.
Working window
S
Context only, never a go-call
Open-Meteo
Flies on a SSE through SSW when the bigger sites are off. When it is on, the cliff run reaches 6.5 miles to Brighton Marina.
Pilot rated for hang gliders; paragliders need CP east of the point, CP plus ten hours beyond it.
Launch just east of the coastguard tower in a south-east, or 200m west in a south to south-south-west.
The bottom landing is tight and the window is short, so a failed soar leaves little time. In a marginal SSE, do not commit to the fort end if you cannot glide back.
Through Newhaven to Fort Road; the Fort car park, or the beach car park if full. Beware thieves, check the seasonal closing times. Postcode BN9 9DK.
You launch over a hole in the ground behind a vertical cliff, so in light wind clearing the edge is everything. The field behind the main SSW cliff slopes away into a big rotor, with more rotor behind the point. Soaring the breakwater is banned.
Who do I ask
Southern Hang Gliding Club
Southern Hang Gliding Club steward this site. The takeoff and landing photos, the full rules and who to ring live in their guide.
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