The South Coast of the UK is home to some of the best wing foiling spots in the country. With its varied coastline, from rocky cliffs to sandy beaches, there are plenty of options for every level of rider. Here are some of the top places to wing foil on the South Coast:
Hayling Island
Located on the south coast of England, Hayling Island is a popular destination for wing foiling thanks to its reliable winds and flat water. The island is home to a range of wing foil schools and rental shops, making it easy for beginners to get started. For more experienced wing foilers, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the island’s sheltered bays and inlets, or head out into the open sea.
There are several options for launching when planning to foil on Hayling Island:
- Hayling Island Sailing Club: This club offers access to a variety of water sports, including foiling. They have a beach launch area and a slipway for easy access to the water.
- Langstone Harbour: Located on the east side of Hayling Island, this location offers a sheltered harbour with easy access to the open water. There is a small beach launch area and a slipway available.
- West Beach: Located on the west side of Hayling Island, this beach offers a wide, sandy launch area suitable for foiling.
- Eastoke Beach: This beach is located on the east side of Hayling Island and offers a wide, sandy launch area suitable for foiling.
- Thorney Island: Located just north of Hayling Island, this location offers a variety of launch options including a beach launch area and a slipway. It is a popular spot for foiling due to its open water and consistent wind conditions.
Poole Harbour
Poole Harbour is another great spot for wing foiling in the south of England. With its sheltered waters and gentle winds, it’s an ideal location for beginners to learn the sport. There are also plenty of rental shops and schools in the area, so you’ll have no problem finding equipment and guidance. For more experienced wing foilers, the harbour offers a range of challenges, including waves and currents, making it a great place to hone your skills.
There are several options for launching when foiling in Poole Harbour:
- Hamworthy Beach: This is a popular spot for foiling, with easy access to the water and plenty of parking.
- Poole Quay Boat Haven: Located in the heart of Poole Harbour, this boat launch has plenty of space for foiling and is easily accessible.
- Sandbanks Beach: Located on the western side of Poole Harbour, this beach offers plenty of room for launching and is a popular spot for foiling.
- Lilliput Boat Ramp: Located on the eastern side of Poole Harbour, this boat ramp offers easy access to the water and is a popular spot for foiling.
- Rockley Park: Located on the western side of Poole Harbour, this park offers easy access to the water and is a popular spot for foiling.
Weymouth
Weymouth Beach is a popular tourist destination located on the south coast of Dorset. It’s known for its wide, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a great spot for wing foiling. The beach is well-equipped with plenty of facilities and equipment hire shops, so you can easily get started.
There are several options to launch from when foiling in Weymouth:
- Weymouth Harbour: This is a popular spot for foiling, with plenty of space for launching and an onshore breeze that makes it ideal for foiling.
- Chesil Beach: This beach is located just outside of Weymouth and is a great spot for foiling, with plenty of space to launch and a steady onshore breeze.
- Portland Harbour: Located just a short distance from Weymouth, Portland Harbour offers plenty of space for launching and a consistent onshore breeze, making it ideal for foiling.
- West Bay: This beach is located a short distance from Weymouth and offers plenty of space for launching, as well as an onshore breeze that makes it ideal for foiling.
Newquay
Newquay is a popular holiday destination on the south coast of England, known for its surf culture and beautiful beaches. It’s also a great spot for wing foiling, with a range of rental shops and schools to help you get started. The town’s sheltered bays and inlets provide an ideal location for beginners to learn, while its rugged coastline and big waves offer more experienced wing foilers a chance to test their skills.
There are several options for launching when foiling in Newquay:
- Fistral Beach: This is one of the most popular spots for foiling in Newquay. The beach has a wide, flat launch area and is located close to the town center.
- Watergate Bay: This beach is located a few miles north of Newquay and is known for its powerful waves, making it ideal for foiling.
- Towan Beach: This beach is located just south of the town center and is a good option for foiling due to its shallow waters and wide, flat launch area.
- Gwithian Beach: Located a few miles west of Newquay, Gwithian Beach is a popular spot for foiling due to its consistent wave conditions.
- Porth Beach: Located just north of Newquay, Porth Beach is a good option for foiling due to its flat launch area and consistent wave conditions.
The Solent
The Solent is a stretch of water that separates the south coast of England from the Isle of Wight. It’s a popular spot for sailing, windsurfing, and, of course, wing foiling. The Solent has a range of sheltered bays and inlets, as well as more open stretches of water, making it a great spot for wing foiling at any level. There are also plenty of rental shops and schools in the area, so you’ll have no problem finding equipment and guidance.
There are many places you can launch from when foiling on the Solent, here are a few of our favourite ones:
- Hamble Point Marina: Located in the village of Hamble, this marina offers a launching ramp and plenty of parking for boats and trailers.
- Hill Head Sailing Club: Located on the western shore of the Solent, Hill Head Sailing Club has a launching ramp and ample parking for boats and trailers.
- Hayling Island Sailing Club: Located on the western side of the Solent, Hayling Island Sailing Club has a launching ramp and ample parking for boats and trailers.
- Lymington Town Sailing Club: Located on the western side of the Solent, Lymington Town Sailing Club has a launching ramp and ample parking for boats and trailers.
- Yarmouth Harbour: Located on the Isle of Wight, Yarmouth Harbour has a launching ramp and ample parking for boats and trailers.
Bournemouth Beach
Located on the south coast of Dorset, Bournemouth Beach is a popular spot for all sorts of water sports. With miles of wide, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, it’s the perfect place to try your hand at wing foiling. The beach is well-equipped with plenty of facilities and equipment hire shops, making it easy to get started.
There are several locations in Bournemouth Beach where you can launch when foiling, including:
- Bournemouth Pier: This is a popular spot for foiling, with a wide, flat beach and plenty of space to set up your gear.
- Durley Chine Beach: This is a more sheltered beach, located just west of Bournemouth Pier. It’s a good option if the winds are strong or if you’re a beginner looking for a more relaxed environment.
- Alum Chine Beach: Located on the west side of Bournemouth, this beach is known for its good conditions and beautiful scenery. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for a more secluded spot to foil.
- Boscombe Beach: This beach is located just east of Bournemouth Pier and is known for its good waves and strong winds, making it a good choice for advanced foiling.
Calshot
Located on the Solent, Calshot is a popular spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but it also offers great conditions for wing foiling. The flat water in the harbour is perfect for beginners, while the open sea offers larger waves and more challenging conditions.
There are several options for launching when foiling in Calshot, such as:
- Calshot Beach: This small beach is located at the base of Calshot Castle and is a popular spot for foiling due to the flat water and consistent wind conditions.
- Calshot Spit: This long strip of land extending into Southampton Water is a great place to launch your foil board. The water is generally shallow and flat, making it ideal for foiling.
- Calshot Harbour: Located just outside of Calshot village, this small harbour is a popular spot for boating and water sports. It is a good option for launching your foil board, although it can get busy during peak seasons.
- Calshot Sailing Club: Located on Calshot Spit, this sailing club is a good option for launching your foil board. They have a launching ramp and ample parking for boats and trailers.
Overall, the south of England has some of the best spots for wing foiling, with a range of locations to suit every level of ability. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the sport or an experienced wing foil enthusiast looking for a new challenge, you’ll find something to suit your needs. So why wait? Get out on the water and experience the thrill of wing foiling for yourself!