Kitesurfing on the Isle of Wight
What is kitesurfing?
Kitesurfing, also called Kiteboarding, is a relatively new extreme sport, combining elements of surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and power-kite flying. Kitesurfing is extremely popular around the Isle of Wight coastline, where there are spots for all wind directions and tide states, and to suit all levels of rider, from beginner to extreme hardcore.
Riders can gain air time in as little as 6 knots of wind but size is everything in this sport. Kite sizes ranging from 5m to 25m and Board's from 1m to 2m in length with different shapes and styles such as wake style, twin tips and directionals. The beauty is it all packs up so small it easily fits in your vee dub.
Kitesurfing on the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight boasts some of the UK's premier Kitesurfing spots with a fantastic variety of conditions, making it ideal for all levels, from complete beginner to aspiring pro's.
The Island's diamond shaped coastline provides the opportunity for everything from hardcore wave-riding in sheltered bays and offshore, to flat water blasting in the Solent.
If you would like to try kitesurfing for the first time, then the Island offers a perfect training ground, with taster lessons and weekend courses on offer from the UKSA based in Cowes (see below opposite for details).
Kitesurfing Spots
For those looking to take advantage of the Isle of Wight's great riding, here is a brief guide to some of the best spots:
- The southwest coast offers the most extreme conditions thanks to the exhilarating Atlantic generated ground swells.
- The southeast coast offers slightly more shelter but is still very good when the wind hits 16+ knots.
- The east coast around Bembridge is generally much more sheltered and is a great location to learn.
- Ryde round to Thorness Bay on the north coast offers more shelter still with flat and smooth seas in a southwesterly. The water is knee deep for a few hundred yards at the right tide.
Note: During the autumn/winter easterlies the north shore can be full on. - Colwell Bay, close to Yarmouth, is again a great location for beginners through to intermediates, but is also good on a 15+ knot southwesterly.
Watch and learn
For armchair enthusiasts the kiters provide a great spectacle, head for Brook Chine (just east of Hanover Point, Compton) on a windy day and you'll be sure to see some spectacular action.
IoW Kitesurfing Image Gallery
Isle of Wight Kitesurfing Schools
United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA)
UKSA offer residential two & five day courses from their base in West Cowes, using beaches across the island.
Contact UKSA
West Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 7PQ
Tel. 01983 294941 Kitesurfing with UKSA