Tom Cunliffe on the rocks at Portland Bill. ©Tom Cunliffe

Listen as Tom Cunliffe discusses the history of this notorious headland and gives some pointers on how to round it, then check out • Tom Cunliffe rounds Po... to view it from the sea.

[@DrCrabfingers]

Tom you were in my neck of the woods....I have heard it said that Portland and the race are the most dangerous stretch of coast in the UK and you have shed light on why. The tides are rampant all along the Jurassic coast...at Swanage there is another race that looks utterly terrifying...I love walking along that coastline and watching the ferocious tides ripping back and forth. Portland is the best place to see some massive rollers coming in from the South West....I've seen enormous waves barrelling in. Love your videos.

[@richardsims4717]

Some years back I paddled my sea kayak out from the harbor.Rounding a promontory I entered a washing machine.With heart pumping turned around without capsizing and retreated.Love your insight and attitude.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Glad to hear you made it back safely. Tom

[@robertcooke1774]

coming from the west lyme regis is fine the pontoons outside the harbour have water all the time, just ask the harbourmaster when to leave.and its a lovely town to visit

[@WRPUS471]

Wow...wonderful presentation!!

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Thanks a lot Will for watching. Tom

[@WRPUS471]

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns I just received your pilot cutters book and I'm really looking forward to reading it. Please continue to make recommendations on maritime reading to help me through this cold Pennsylvania winter.

[@AidanWeatherill]

Really enjoying the new Ocean Skipper book. Great stuff.

[@BillSikes.]

I tried sailing right thru the middle of the Race, well I was actually motoring because there was no wind, so I thought I'd be alright, I could see lots of white water ahead but it didn't deter me, so I kept going then I hit it, christ almighty it was absolutely mental, I've never seen sea like it, waves about 4-5ft bolt upright about 3-4ft apart my little yacht has never been thrown about so violently I was towing my inflatable dinghy it was in the air more than it was on the surface, I was certain I was going to lose it, I knew I had to get the hell out of there, I put the tiller hard to starboard, there was no right moment to do this simply because the sea was so confused, I was expecting a knockdown any minute but it didn't happen, I think it eventually spat me out but I got out of there in one piece and with my dinghy still in tow, since then I never mess with overfalls, especially The Portland Race, I always take the inshore route

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Thanks for that insight. It's not a place to trifle with but I'm glad you came through unscathed. Tom

[@BillSikes.]

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns
Thanks Tom 👍

[@fezmancomments]

A comparison of Tom’s sails past Portland and Gibraltar would be interesting to hear.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Next time I'm down off the Rock, I'll make sure I do a blog. It might be a while because my own boat is in northern waters, but you never know what's going to come my way. Got my hat blown off last time I was down there and talk about current!

[@charlesarbonmusic625]

I was there on the 11th of March

[@philw6692]

Thank you for the video Sir! I'm wondering whether it would of helped to see it before I broke the speed record on our ketch rounding the bill or would the anxiety of this Gods creation overwhelm me.....

[@bobv8219]

Wonderfully stated, how was your passage.?

[@bobv8219]

Oppsie , congratulations on the quest.

[@Coastwiser]

Hey Tom what did you have for lunch that day? Besides a biscuit?

[@richardishereagain]

And never say "rabbit"