Comprehensive instruction for surfers - orientation at Haifa's surfer beach - all Bat Galim spots:
- A number of names are synonymous with the "peak" of the Carmel: Bat Galim Beach, Surfers' Beach, Rosh Carmel... these names more or less refer to the same section.
- The term "Shakmona beach" refers to the southwestern part of the section, near Tel Shekmona (archaeological site).
- The declared marine nature reserve starts from Tel Shekmona and extends southward.
- GPS address: Humphrey Hubert Street, Haifa.
Map of Rosh Carmel and main landmarks in the language of surfers
wind directions and the choice of the surfing spot respectively
Bat Galim beach works in the range of azimuths 180 (clear south) to 270 (clear west).
Surfing in the summer season: The season at Bat Galim starts around mid-May and lasts until the end of August. The wind works from 10:00 to 14:00 and then weakens. A typical summer wind starts at 200 azimuth and gradually rotates to 230 around 13:00 p.m.
Surfing in the winter season: The beach works well in the winter storms, which usually start at azimuth 180 (the institute spot) and gradually go to azimuth 200 - 220. When the wind blows to Dar Dar Maa, the surfers go down with the wind from the institute spot to the church spot.
In the middle of the storm, the wind usually went to azimuth 240 - 255 and then the surfers concentrate on the club spot / the grass, on the Bat Galim boardwalk.
Surfing at the church beach - the main spot for the kite surfers
Surfing at the institute
Surfing at the club - grass
In winter the beach works even in the wind Northeast (acidifications) that come in around 14:00 - 14:30 after a clean Mizrahit. The azimuth is 20-45 (this is approximately from the direction of the city of Acre). The entrance to the water in Hamazizit is at the church spot. The wind works hard from the church to Bat Galim promenade. Small wind waves (chop) rise in the acidifications and sometimes you can also play on the waves in the break above the church spot.
Surfing in eastern winds
Surfing in eastern winds Bat Galim is dangerous and has already claimed 2 lives. You can find a detailed explanation of the desired safety angles when surfing in an easterly wind, in the following link:
Instructions reaching Bat Galim Beach:
GPS address: Humphrey Hubert Street, Haifa.
Access to the beach is from the Allenby interchange or from the main intersection of Rambam (the old Aged). At Zim Square at the entrance to the port, turn left and continue straight. Under the cable car is the first stop - Surfers' Beach. This beach is suitable for surfing on a clean west side and is used mainly during the winter days. It is planned for the club buildings the new
600 meters down the road, from the Allenby interchange, towards the southwest, is the church spot. That's where most of the kitesurfing activity takes place.
600 meters south of the church spot is the sea and lake research institute spot. This spot is suitable for surfing at an azimuth of 180 to 210 degrees. (south to southwest).
Safety:
- Surfing shoes - mandatory: Bat Galim Beach is a rocky beach. Most of the rock surface is smooth, but a few spots have knife-sharp edges. These are burrows of a worm that builds bony burrows on the rock. Anyone who amputates their leg may find themselves in the emergency room within a few days with a serious blood infection. Don't take a risk.
- Extraction: Mainly in southern winds, there is a danger of drifting into the bay (Off Shore). This is the biggest risk. Don't stray far from the beach. Make sure to surf with a partner. If you saw a surfer in distress at sea, call the coast guard, dial 100.
- self extraction: In southwest to west winds, those who surf in the church and get into trouble, can go out on the club spot or on the grass. Familiarize yourself with the map attached here and plan your rescue points.
Ranges and azimuths at Bat Galim beach
All azimuths are from the corner of Sammy's house, located in the center of the church spot, where the anemometer of the Bat Galim site is also located.
Azimuth to the right corner of the institute: 238 degrees.
The Bat Galim anemometer can be found here:
Interesting to see a few things:
- Clean south (180 degrees) is actually complete OFFSHORE. It is important to know how dangerous it is to enter this azimuth with Kate in the institute.
- It is always difficult to know exactly where the north is. Note that Hariya is 25 degrees to the right of true north.
- Once the azimuth is above 245 degrees, the club gradually starts to get SIDE ON SHORE. In a clean west (azimuth 270) we are in the club at Side on Shore of 25 degrees... I didn't know it until I measured it just now...