Overview

The 4th Churchill Barrier connects South Ronaldsay to the Orkney Mainland. These barriers, built during World War II to protect Scapa Flow, create sheltered water bodies between the islands. A unique spot with flat water conditions on one side and waves on the other depending on the wind direction.

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Spot forecast for 4th Churchill Barrier

Sunrise 08:00 · Sunset 17:52

Open-Meteo

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 5.3 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 00:43 · 1.3 m High tide 07:39 · 2.1 m Low tide 12:54 · 1.5 m High tide 19:45 · 2.3 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 01:54 · 1.2 m High tide 08:46 · 2.2 m Low tide 14:01 · 1.4 m High tide 20:43 · 2.5 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 02:51 · 1 m High tide 09:33 · 2.4 m Low tide 14:59 · 1.3 m High tide 21:30 · 2.6 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 03:36 · 0.8 m High tide 10:12 · 2.6 m Low tide 15:47 · 1.1 m High tide 22:11 · 2.8 m
Saturday 24 October Low tide 04:16 · 0.6 m High tide 10:48 · 2.7 m Low tide 16:30 · 0.9 m High tide 22:50 · 2.9 m

4th Churchill Barrier: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

527h

in June · 30 rideable days

The spot works year-round: 29 rideable days a month on average, at 11 °C. It peaks in June, with 527 hours of usable wind.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 50%13-20 knots · 41%21-30 knots · 9%31+ knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 50% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 5 °C. The wettest month is December, with 188 mm.

Monthly averages: 4th Churchill Barrier

Monthly averages — 4th Churchill Barrier — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	27.5	225 h	5 °C	148 mm
February	26.5	269 h	7 °C	104 mm
March	29.5	350 h	8 °C	112 mm
April	28.0	385 h	10 °C	87 mm
May	29.5	439 h	13 °C	42 mm
June	30.0	527 h	14 °C	113 mm
July	30.0	458 h	16 °C	77 mm
August	30.0	440 h	16 °C	98 mm
September	28.5	352 h	14 °C	74 mm
October	29.5	312 h	11 °C	154 mm
November	27.0	230 h	8 °C	127 mm
December	28.5	227 h	8 °C	188 mm

Photo gallery of 4th Churchill Barrier

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Technical details of 4th Churchill Barrier spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

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Ogimet - Kirkwall Airport (United Kingdom)10.6 kmsource ogimet

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Webcams near 4th Churchill Barrier

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Nearby spots

All spots: Scotland

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4th Churchill Barrier kitesurf and wingfoil spot