Top 10 Places To Learn Windsurfing In The UK

West Wales Wind, Surf and Sailing, Dale, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

This is a perfect location for the windsurfing first timer, as it has a safe mile-wide sheltered bay containing shallow waters. Dale is situated within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, where there’s usually plenty of sunshine (the location even holds the record as the sunniest place in Wales). Winters are mild here, and spring, early summer and autumn will provide you with superb wind conditions. A half-day starter course is available, where you learn the basics on a dry land simulator and then go out onto the water to practise your windsurfing skills.

Lagoon Water Sports, Hove, East Sussex

Located on the south coast a few miles from the centre of Brighton and Hove, where the UKWA hold the British Open Championships. Lagoon Watersports offer windsurfing courses and lessons in a shallow enclosed lagoon, as well as in the sea. Their Start Windsurfing package is run over two weekends and lays the foundations of windsurfing, giving you the necessary skills to venture out into the sea. Course prices vary depending whether it is high season (June, July and August) or low season.

Rye Water Sports, North Point Water, Camber near Rye, East Sussex

Based on a lake just over half a mile from Camber Sands in the south east, this location offers safe, flat water on a large coastal lake, and is ideal for anyone who is new to windsurfing. Also, the lake is situated near the coast, and so is supplied with consistent sea breezes. Windsurfing tuition is run along RYA guidelines. Among the courses offered are a Start Windsurfing course over two days (eight hours in total) or private sessions.

Wild Diamond Windsurf, Tiree, Hebrides, Scotland

The Wild Diamond Windsurfing School is located in a shallow freshwater loch – which has a flat sandy bottom, making it ideal for windsurfing beginners – in the north west of the Hebrides. The location is great due to the flatness of the island, meaning there is very little to block or unsettle the wind. Courses and taster sessions are run on a very flexible basis here, and are designed to allow you to do as much or as little as you like on a daily basis. Courses include a Beginners six-hour Windsurfing course (including all equipment) or a Beginners 12-hour Windsurfing course (including all equipment).

Poole Harbour Water Sports, Lilliput, Poole, Dorset

Windsurfing here operates in the shallow waters of Poole Harbour, with courses taking place every day of the week from March to November. All the board sailing equipment needed to take part is also provided.  Course include a Beginners Windsurfing course for one full day at level 1, level 2 for 2 days, or even 3 days at level 3, with each day focusing on different aspects of skill progression and techniques. In addition, they offer an extra 10 per cent off on all the essential products you need when you purchase in their store.

2XS, West Wittering Windsurf Club, Chichester, West Sussex

Operating from the beach at West Wittering, the course providers at 2XS promise to have you windsurfing in under an hour! You can enrol in the starter and intermediate courses, a one-on-one session with an extremely experienced coach, or even a full RYA ITC course.

Edgbaston Water sports, Edgbaston Reservoir, Birmingham

Located at an outdoor activity centre close to the middle of Birmingham, Edgbaston Water sports cater for all – from beginners to more advanced windsurfers. The Learn to Windsurf here course can be split into three modules: Taster sessions are available. Their is a part A course, a part B course and a non-planing intermediate session available. Completing part A, B and the Intermediate will mean you’ll receive a RYA Level One Certificate.

Devon Windsurf and Canoe Centre, Bishopsteignton, Teignmouth

This windsurf school operates on the 12-acre freshwater Decoy Lake, which is relatively sheltered, meaning the water is always flat, making it ideal for beginners. The instructors here are so confident in their abilities to teach you that they guarantee to refund your money if they can’t get you up and sailing in your first lesson! A Beginners Taster Session (four hours) is available). There are 1 or 3 hour improvers sessions available.

Siblyback Water sports Centre, near Liskeard, Cornwall

A picturesque 140-acre lake surrounded by Bodmin Moor provides a great venue to learn to windsurf, with consistently good winds all year round. Facilities at the Siblyback Watersports Centre cater for everyone from the beginner to the more experienced windsurfer, and tuition, self-launch and hire provision are all available. The centre is RYA-approved and RYA Levels One and Two courses are available. The centre is open all year round, and there’s even a tea room next to the lake if you want to take a break.

FC Water sports Academy, Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset

Despite the fact that you’ll be windsurfing on the open sea, there are no real waves here, making it ideal for beginners. A Learn to Windsurf course (over 2 days) is ideal for anyone who wants to complete the RYA windsurfing course. The cost of the course includes wetsuits and all equipment. An Intermediate Windsurf course is also available over 2 days, which will enable you to brush up on your skills, and there are Advanced Clinics (three hours) that you can also attend, which include video coaching.

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