Places to go windsurfing in Wales

North Wales is famous for its windsurfing, producing pros such as Farrel O’Shea, Phill and Dave Horrocks. The diverse coastline of North Wales provides ideal conditions, making it the perfect location for beginners and advanced windsurfers to start or enhance their windsurfing journey.

Plas Menai, the National Outdoor Centre for Wales, is situated on the banks of the Menai Strait, a narrow stretch of water separating the Isle of Anglesey from mainland Wales. This location is ideal for windsurfing due to its consistently windy conditions and sheltered waters.

For newcomers, the RYA Start Windsurfing course covers the basics over two or five days. As part of the beginner course, you'll get to grips with the basics on a simulator before heading out on the water to practise your new skills. Intermediate and advanced courses are also available for those looking to improve their proficiency.

Plas Menai’s experienced instructors provide comprehensive training, ensuring a safe and enjoyable learning experience. They even offer instructor courses for those interested in teaching windsurfing professionally. If you prefer instruction in Welsh, they can accommodate that as well.

Bala Adventure & Watersports is located on the picturesque shores of Llyn Tegid, also known as Bala Lake, the largest natural lake in Wales. This stunning location in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park offers ideal conditions for windsurfing, with its expansive waters and consistent winds, making it perfect for both beginners and advanced windsurfers.

The centre provides a range of windsurfing lessons and activities. For beginners, they offer a half-day windsurfing course to teach the basics and get you afloat in a morning or afternoon session. If you want a more immersive experience, the full-day windsurfing course allows you to spend a day on the lake, encouraged by highly qualified instructors. For those looking to get a comprehensive introduction, the 2-day RYA Learn to Windsurf course covers everything you need to know to get afloat under supervision.

For more experienced windsurfers, Bala Adventure & Watersports offers independent sailing opportunities and equipment hire, allowing you to enjoy the lake at your own pace.

The Mid and West Wales coastline of Cardigan Bay is a fantastic destination for windsurfing, offering a mix of stunning scenery and excellent wind conditions. This area is known for its clear waters, beautiful beaches and diverse wildlife, including dolphins, seals, and seabirds.

New Quay is one of the standout locations in Cardigan Bay for windsurfing. The sheltered waters and consistent winds create ideal conditions for both beginners and experienced windsurfers.

Cardigan Bay Watersports in New Quay offers a range of windsurfing lessons and equipment hire, ensuring you have everything you need to enjoy the sport. They provide RYA-certified courses and regular sessions, catering to all skill levels.

For beginners, they offer a half-day introductory course that covers the basics of windsurfing, ensuring you get a solid start on the water. If you prefer a more immersive experience, the full-day course provides extensive training and practice time. Intermediate and advanced windsurfers can benefit from tailored lessons that focus on improving techniques to help you refine your skills and tackle more challenging conditions.

For those looking to gain a recognized qualification, the 2-day RYA Start Windsurfing course covers all the essential skills and safety procedures.

If you prefer independent sailing, Cardigan Bay Watersports offers equipment hire, including boards and sails. You can rent the gear for a 2-hour session and enjoy the beautiful waters of Cardigan Bay at your own pace. The centre ensures your well-being with a manned safety boat on standby whenever customers are on the water.

South Wales is an excellent location for windsurfing, offering a variety of beaches and inland waters with ideal conditions for the sport.

Llandegfedd Lake Visitor Centre, near Pontypool, is a fantastic spot for windsurfing, offering a range of activities for all skill levels. The lake’s clean, deep waters and lack of currents or tides make it an ideal location for both beginners and advanced windsurfers.

The centre offers introductory windsurfing courses that cover the basics. These can be half-day or full-day sessions, providing a thorough introduction to the sport. For those looking to improve their skills, the centre offers tailored lessons focusing on techniques such as beachstarts, waterstarts, and sailing in stronger winds.

Experienced windsurfers can hire equipment and enjoy independent sailing on the lake. The centre provides all necessary gear and ensures safety with a manned boat on standby.

Llandegfedd Lake is not only great for windsurfing but also a beautiful place to visit, surrounded by rolling landscapes and offering a range of other activities like paddleboarding, sailing, and fishing. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your skills, Llandegfedd Lake Visitor Centre provides a comprehensive and enjoyable windsurfing experience.

The Welsh coast can be fantastic fun and provides great opportunities for adventurous activities, but please read up on the risks and make sure you are prepared.

• Follow these tips from the RNLI for staying safe on the Welsh coast.
• Visit AdventureSmart.uk for further information on how to stay safe whilst exploring Wales.