Top Spots To Learn To WingFoil
There are literally tonnes of good places to learn with Wing Foil. The fact that you are able to Wing on inland waterways makes it extremely versatile and to list all the locations in this article would be a meaningless. Check out the Buccaneer App for the locations we have mapped so far. There are literally hundreds if not thousands, you will absolutely find spots near you.
The following list is in no particular order and highlights just a handful of the standout spots we have visited that would be great to learn. Where possible we have also pared the spots with a great school/instruction so you can get off to a good start or improve your Wing Foiling journey!
calshot, Hampshire
Look up name in the App: Calshot Beach
Where is it: South Coast, close to Southampton
Location Links: https://my.buccaneersessions.com/location/2120
Calshot provides great conditions for beginners through to experts. At low water flat lagoons appear due to the sandbars and at higher tides the conditions remain relatively flat due to the protection of the Isle of Wight.
Calshot is a popular spot for wing foiling.
First and perhaps most importantly are the Wind conditions. Calshot benefits from regular and stable winds coming from multiple directions (SW, W, and SSW being the most favourable), which are perfect for wing foiling in this spot.
Calshot is pretty much what you might describe as a flat water spot. On the northern side it is sheltered by the geography of Southampton Water and The Solent, which reduces the risk of larger waves or swells. This makes it a safer environment, especially for beginners.
Large Expanses of Shallow Water: During low to mid tide, Calshot’s shallow waters provide a safe area for learning and practicing without the risk of being swept out to deeper water. The inside body of water does run dry at low tide but there is enough water depth to foil for a good period of time before and after high tide.
Wide Launching Area: The beach at Calshot is spacious, with a combination of shingle and sandy areas, allowing for easy launching and landing.
Minimal Crowding: Although it’s a popular spot, there is usually enough space for multiple users, so wing foilers can practice without feeling overcrowded.
Great Facilities: Calshot Activities Centre: There are amenities like parking, changing rooms, and cafes nearby, making it convenient for visitors who plan to spend the day on the water. Wind Sports Community: Calshot has a thriving wind sports community, including wing foilers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers. This fosters a welcoming environment for learning, sharing tips, and improving skills.
Why is it a good place to learn: First and perhaps most importantly are the Wind conditions. Calshot benefits from regular and stable winds coming from multiple directions (SW, W, and SSW being the most favourable), which are perfect for wing foiling in this spot. Calshot is pretty much what you might describe as a flat water spot. On the northern side it is sheltered by the geography of the Solent, which reduces the risk of extreme waves or swells. This makes it a safer environment, especially for beginners.
Large Expanses of Shallow Water: During low to mid tide, Calshot’s shallow waters provide a safe area for learning and practicing without the risk of being swept out to deeper water.
Water Conditions: Flat water
Launching: Wide Launching Area: The beach at Calshot is spacious, with a combination of shingle and sandy areas, allowing for easy launching and landing of the wing and foil.
Parking: Huge car park close to the launching area.
Facilities: Great Facilities: Calshot Activities Centre: There are amenities like parking, changing rooms, and cafes nearby, making it convenient for visitors who plan to spend the day on the water.
Local School Link: https://nomadickitesurf.com/
bewl water
Look up name in the App: Bewl Water
Location Links: https://my.buccaneersessions.com/location/468
What’s There: Bewl Water is a reservoir in the valley of the River Bewl, straddling the boundary between Kent and East Sussex in England. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Lamberhurst, Kent. Many recreational activities take place on and around the reservoir. These include SUP, sailing, windsurfing , Wing Foiling, rowing and sculling Canoeing and Kayaking trout fishing, walking and cycling (on a 121⁄2 mile Round Reservoir Route) To Foil on Bewl you will need RYA or BKSA insurance
Why is it a good place to learn: Inland bodies of water like Bewl are great for learning to wing foil because they generally offer flat water conditions even when it’s quite windy. Also, while you get the hang of directing the board under the power of the wing, the fact that lakes are surrounded by land, making them safer and easier to get to shore if you feel like it’s not going as planned. No tides or strong currents: You can stay in one spot and practice different techniques. Easier to rest and paddle: It may be easier to rest or paddle on your board on a small body of water. Ideal for perfecting technique: The calm and flat body of water is ideal for learning the basics of foiling or perfecting your technique.
Water Conditions: Flat water
Launching: Tones of space on the lake shore for launching and rigging
Parking: Dedicated parking on site
Facilities: Café, Camping Toilets and showers
Local School Link: https://www.thefoilingcollective.com/school/
POOLE & SANDBANKS
Look up name in the App: Poole & Sandbanks
Where is it: South England Dorset
Location Links: https://my.buccaneersessions.com/location/55
What’s There: Sandbanks is an infamous learning spot boasting flat water that is shallow to several hundred meters out. A permit is required to use this location which is available from Poole Harbour Commissioners or the Bournemouth & Poole Kitesurf Club
You can sail at any tide state, there is very limited beach at high tide so be careful of the road.
Be very careful of the road that runs around the bay.
Stay away from the ferries and be aware of moored boats and buoys.
Why is it a good place to learn: Poole, particularly the Sandbanks spot inside the harbour, is a fantastic location for learning to kitesurf. The natural harbour creates an ideal environment with comparatively flat water, making it easier for beginners to focus on mastering the basics without battling the rougher conditions of an open beach. The shallow water, even at high tide, allows learners to practice without fear of getting too deep, which is especially beneficial when learning to control both the kite and the board.
The consistent coastal winds in the area provide reliable conditions for kitesurfing, ensuring that you can get out on the water regularly. The local kitesurfing community at Sandbanks is known for being welcoming and supportive, which adds to the positive experience for newcomers. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, Poole's Sandbanks is a prime spot for kitesurfing.
Water Conditions: Wind Direction - SSW/SW/WSW/W/WNW/NW/NNW
Water Conditions: Flat and shallow water.
Beach Type: Sand
Tidal Restrictions: You can sail at any tide state, there is very limited beach at high tide so be careful of the road.
Launching:
Parking: Roadside parking is available around the harbour as well as some dedicated pay and display parking.
Facilities: There is a Tesco’s express on the harbour side that’s good for post session snacks as well as your usual café’s /beach snack shacks on the beach side. Poole has many good places to eat, drink and be merry!
Local School Link: EASY RIDERS https://my.buccaneersessions.com/business/484
prinsted, chichester harbour
Look up name in the App: Prinstead, Chichester Harbour
Chichester Harbour Chichester Harbour
Location Links:
What’s There: Prinsted at Chichester Marina is an excellent spot, for Wing Foiling. Its tucked away in the top left corner of Chester harbour so sheltered from boat traffic and benefiting from clean wind conditions.
It is a tidal spot so you sessions will need to be on and around the hightide mark.
Bracklesham and West Wittering are also good venues. To wing
Why is it a good place to learn: Even though Prinsted is a sea location the geography of the harbour means its super protected from large waves and ocean swell.
Learning to Wing Foil is best done in calmer waters, allowing you to concentrate on technique without being disrupted by waves.
Water Conditions: Flat water
Launching: Beach adjacent to Carparking
Parking: Beach adjacent to Carparking
Local School Link: Next to the beach
Facilities: Not really any
Local School Link: https://2xs.co.uk/
ullswater
Look up name in the App: Ullswater Yacht Club
Where is it: Lake District
Location links: https://my.buccaneersessions.com/location/666
What’s There: Lake District generally is epic for the Wing Foiling. Large bodies of inland water make for good, controlled conditions to learn or refine your skills. We picked Ullswater to focus on, but you could easily choose any of Coniston Water, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, and Windermere are all great spots for beginners. Ullswater has beautiful surroundings and mostly south-westerly winds, certainly offers great conditions for wing foiling when the weather aligns.
Why is it a good place to learn: Launching from Ullswater Yacht Club is a smart choice, providing a convenient spot with easy access to the lake, but it's good to know that the northern shore has several pull-in areas for added flexibility. The fact that south-westerly winds funnel nicely along the lake makes it particularly appealing for wingers looking for smooth, consistent conditions. When the winds shift, it can get gusty, adding a challenge for those more experienced with handling unpredictable breezes.
The mix of calm areas for kids to sail and more exciting conditions for foiling makes Ullswater a family-friendly destination where everyone can have their fun on the water. How often do you get to wing foil there?
Water Conditions: Flat water spot
Launching: Ullswater Yacht Club
Parking: Parking on site
Local School Link:
WEYMOUTH - Portland Harbour
Look up name in the App: Weymouth – Portland Harbour
Where is it: South England, Dorset
Location Links: https://my.buccaneersessions.com/location/61
What’s There: Portland Harbour (also known as Weymouth Harbour) known for its spectacular speed sailing conditions. Sheltered by the road and Chesil Beach that link Portland to the mainland. In a prevailing SW the wind that blows over the pebble bank resulting in windy, smooth water close to the west shore. The area is enclosed and safe, although at low spring tides there are a few sandbanks. There are three main access points. The Ferry Bridge Boat Yard car park avoids having to cross the road with your kit. The Council car park on Chesil Beach has stacks of space and large grassy rigging areas over the road but involves dodging the traffic to get to the beach.
Kitesurfing is a well-established water sport in Portland harbour.
Why is it a good place to learn: Portland Harbour stands out as one of the premier flat-water wing foiling arenas in the UK. Its unique location on the south coast of England offers some of the best wind conditions in the region, making it a reliable spot for kitesurfing enthusiasts. The harbour is accessible in most wind directions and at any tide state, ensuring that you can get on the water no matter the conditions.
This versatility makes Portland Harbour an ideal destination for windsurfers of all abilities. Whether you're a complete beginner looking to learn the basics, a speed fanatic chasing new personal records, or a freestyle expert perfecting your tricks, Portland Harbour has something to offer. The combination of excellent wind statistics, flat water, and a variety of conditions ensures that everyone can enjoy the sport.
Water Conditions: Flat water
Launching: There are many options for launching which of course provide many different beach types. The beat running adjacent to the road provide a grassy rigging area and a pebbly beach.
Parking: Loads of parking near the main launching points.
Local School Link: The OTC https://my.buccaneersessions.com/business/2915
CS Watersports Portland https://my.buccaneersessions.com/business/4057
Greatstone
Look up name in the App: Greatstone
Where is it: South East England
Location Links: https://my.buccaneersessions.com/location/28
What’s There: Greatstone Beach is one of the most kitesurfer friendly beaches in the whole of the UK. Located just 1 hour from London, this massive bay in Greatstone-on-Sea stretches across over 10 miles and is the only kite spot in South East England that works well for kitesurfing on North East wind direction.
Why is it a good place to learn: Greatstone Beach’s open clean shingle beach provides a safe environment for learning as well as providing a great place to practice and progress .
Greatstone is one of those few beaches that will work in most wind direction, which gives max opportunity to get out on the water.
Water Conditions: Best Winds: From the S to SW (side to side-off). These wind directions offer favourable conditions for foiling, particularly at this location.
Also Works in: SE, E, NE, and N, making it a versatile spot for various wind directions.
Littlestone: In SW winds, the wind is cross-offshore. Littlestone offers flat water, which is ideal for blasting around and learning to foil, though you should be cautious as the wind is offshore.
Greatstone: The wind here is more off-shore in a SW direction, but the water is equally flat, providing good conditions for flat-water foiling. Additionally, in S or SSW winds, Greatstone offers excellent foiling waves that come in at 45 degrees to the beach, providing long rides with minimal shore break.
Winter months can bring long, clean rides, sometimes lasting over a minute, where you can flag the wing and ride waves uninterrupted.
Launching: From the beach
Parking: Pay and display car parking, free after 6pm. 3 charging stations, no high barriers.
Facilities: Toilet facilities, picnic area, nearby convenient shop, kitesurfing school and shop with changing room and shower
Local School Link: Infinity Sport Kitesurfing https://my.buccaneersessions.com/business/2697
grafham
Look up name in the App: Grafham Water
Where is it: Cambridgeshire
Location Links: https://my.buccaneersessions.com/location/529
What’s There: Grafham Water Centre supports a number of activities including Sailing, windsurfing, Paddle sports, Wing Foiling, Wing Surfing and Powerboating. It is a (1,992-acre) reservoir. Designated as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) It has a circumference of about 16 km (10 mi), is 21 m (69 ft) deep. Grafham Water Centre is an RYA accredited school for Sailing Windsurfing and Wing Foiling.
Why is it a good place to learn: Its a great place to learn to Wing Surf and Foil due to the controlled conditions an inland body of water offers.
Water Conditions: Flat water
Launching: From the Centre foreshore
Parking: Parking on site
Facilities: Showers, Toilets, cafe
Local School Link: https://www.grafham-water-centre.co.uk/
