Where and how to wingfoil in winter?

Equipment

When you go for a session, put your kite or wing foil on the beach whenever possible. It’s best to avoid sharp rocks and asphalt in strong winds. If your kite slips in the wind, it will rub against the ground, causing wear to the seams and spinnaker.

1. Winter coverall

If you’re not too squeamish, a 4/3 or 5/4 combination will do the trick.

A winter wetsuit with integrated balaclava is the best choice for winter winging foil while staying warm. A full-body suit with integrated hood will provide better protection from the cold and also prevent water from seeping into the suit.

Remember, 30% of our heat is dissipated through the extremities. There are 6/5/4 models like hoalen for those who are very cold.

2. Balaclava, booties, caps

If you don’t have a wetsuit with integrated hood, the hood can be put on separately, keeping in the heat and protecting you from the cold (wind and water), as well as keeping only one wetsuit for sailing with and without the hood.

The same goes for winter slippers, which keep your feet warm. Choose slippers that are soft enough to keep your feet feeling comfortable.

Finally, don’t forget earplugs to prevent exostosis.

3. Gloves

Gloves are a very important part of winter sailing. Not everyone likes to wear them, but they provide excellent protection from the cold.

There are two main types of glove: full-face gloves offer maximum protection against the cold, but can in some cases reduce hand feeling when gripping the handles, leading to forearm cramps. The second option is open-front mittens, which keep the cold off fingers and hands without losing grip sensation.

4. Impact vest

The Sroka impact vest will insulate you from the cold thanks to its neoprene construction and reinforced foams, while protecting you from impacts.

5. Penultimate meeting

If you’re in a rather cold place, avoid taking out boards with 40 l of volume. If you have the option of taking out a board with more volume, you’ll avoid spending a lot of time in the water and swimming for too long if the wind drops.

6. Another solution: head for the sun!

If you can’t stand sailing in the cold and the sun is more important to you than anything else, there’s only one solution: find a paradise for sailing in the sun. In this section we offer you a non-exhaustive list of sun destinations.

Here’s a list of destinations where you can go winging in winter foil. This list is not exhaustive, but is sure to give you some travel ideas.

The Caribbean

The Caribbean is an area where the trade winds are present in winter. They offer pleasant winter temperatures of between 24 and 29 degrees. What’s more, they benefit from constant trade winds offering ideal conditions for wing foil. So the French West Indies, such as Guadeloupe and Martinique, are ideal places to travel in winter and benefit from optimal conditions. A little more exotic, you can opt for St Barthélémy or the Grenadines.

Zanzibar

located off the east coast of Africa, is an increasingly popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. It offers ideal wind conditions all year round. December to March is the kuzi season, which means that high altitude winds blow constantly, providing ideal conditions for wingfoil and other water sports. This period is generally considered to be the best for wing foil in Zanzibar.

Sri Lanka

in addition to favorable year-round temperatures, also enjoys, like Zanzibar, constant winds that are ideal for wing foil.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, and in particular Langebaan, is a very popular kitesurfing destination. Renowned for its very strong and constant winds, particularly from November to March, Cape Town operates perfectly from November to March. These conditions are ideal for wing foil if you like sailing in small wings.

The Canaries

In winter, it’s not the windiest time of year, but you can still have some great sessions, especially with wing foil, surf foil or kitesurf. What’s more, the water and outdoor temperatures are mild and pleasant. (Water temperature: around 18°C, outside between 20 and 25°C).

Cape Verde

This archipelago off the west coast of Africa is an ideal destination for water sports such as wing foil. With its landscapes, fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, it is attracting a growing number of water sports enthusiasts, including wing enthusiasts foil. Boa Vista, the island off the coast of Senegal, offers perfect conditions in winter, whether in waves or on flat water, you’ll find what you’re looking for with warm water and a steady wind.

Brazil

Brazil is known for its constant winds during winter in France. Offering strong and constant winds. Spots like Jericoacoara and Cumbuco are popular with wing enthusiasts foil.

Jericoacoara: located on the northeast coast of Brazil, Jeri is famous for its constant winds and waves in lagoons. All in all, it offers ideal conditions for practicing wing foil.

Cumboco: is another famous spot in Brazil, offering fine sandy beaches, lagoons and very good wind conditions, especially during the European winter period, which is ideal for wing foil.

Morocco

Morocco is often said to have more waves in winter and more wind in summer. However, the wind remains constant all year round, averaging 12 to 20 knots for more than 20 days a month. So if you’re planning a winter sailing trip to Morocco, you can expect some wind during your vacation. With spots like dakhla and essaouira, you’ll have a multitude of spots to satisfy your winging desires foil.

Tarifa

Tarifa is located in the extreme south of Spain, just a few kilometers from Morocco. With over 300 days of wind a year, Tarifa is considered the wind capital of Europe. This makes it one of the most popular destinations for kitesurfers, windsurfers and windsurfers alike. Wing foil. With spots such as Playa Chica, Bolonia, Tarifa town or even the more challenging Canos de Meca (with its reef of rocks that can sometimes come out of the water at certain points), Tarifa offers ideal wind conditions for wing foil all year round. Allowing sailing with wind and mild temperatures in winter. When the levante rises, wind strength is generally 6-7 beaufort, offering strong, constant wind conditions.