Where and how to wingfoil in winter?

Equipment

Whether you’re learning or improving your wing foil skills, or simply want to keep on sailing in winter, the right equipment makes all the difference.

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 wing foiling while staying warm. A full-body suit with an integrated balaclava 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. For those who are very cold, there are 6/5/4 models like Hoalen.

2. Balaclavas, slippers, earplugs

If your wetsuit doesn’t have an integrated hood, you can wear one separately. This conserves heat, protects you from the cold (wind and water) and means you only need one wetsuit to sail with or without a hood.

The same goes for winter slippers, which keep feet warm. Choose slippers that are flexible enough to keep a feel on the support.

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 gloves:

• Full-length gloves offer maximum maximum protection against the cold, but can in some cases reduce the feeling in the hands when gripping the handles, leading to forearm cramps.
• Open mittens keep fingers and hands cool without losing grip.

4. Impact vest or 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 are in a rather cold place, avoid taking out the 40 l volume boards. If you have the option to take a board with more volume, it will save you from 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 the desire for the sun is stronger than anything and you can’t stand sailing in the cold, there is only one solution left, find a heavenly solution to sail 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 wing foiling in winter. This list is not exhaustive but will surely give you some travel ideas.

The Caribbean

The Caribbean is an area where the trade winds are present in winter. They will offer you a pleasant temperature during the winter, 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 like Guadeloupe, Martinique… They are ideal places to travel in winter and enjoy optimal conditions. A little more exotic, you can opt for St Barthelemy 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 kuzi season, which means that high winds blow consistently, and therefore offer ideal conditions for wingfoil and other water sports. This is generally considered the best time of year for wing foil in Zanzibar.

Le Sri Lanka

in addition to favorable year-round temperatures, also benefits, like Zanzibar, from 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, especially from November to March, Cape Town works perfectly from November to March. These conditions are ideal for wing foil sailing if you like small wings.

The Canary Islands

In winter, it’s not the windiest time of the year, but you can still enjoy good sessions, especially in wing foil, Surf foil or kitesurf. In addition, the temperature of the water and the outside is mild and pleasant. (Water temperature: around 18°C and between 20 and 25°C for outside)

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 more and more water sports enthusiasts, including wing foil fans. 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 steady winds.

Brazil

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

Jericoacoara: Located on the northeastern coast of Brazil, Jeri is famous for its constant winds and waves in lagoons. All in all, ideal conditions for wing foil practice.

Cumboco: another well-known spot in Brazil, with sandy beaches, lagoons and excellent wind conditions, especially during the European winter season, making it ideal for wing foil.

Morocco

Morocco is often said that there are more waves in winter and more wind in summer. Despite everything, the wind remains constant all year round, with an average of more than 20 days per month with an average of 12 to 20 knots. So if you’re going on a trip to Morocco in winter to sail, expect to have wind during your vacation. With spots like dakhla and essaouira, you’ll have a multitude of spots to satisfy your wing foil desires.

Tarifa

Tarifa is located in the extreme south of Spain, a few kilometres from Morocco. With more than 300 windy days a year, Tarifa is considered the wind capital of Europe. This makes it one of the most famous destinations for kitesurfing, windsurfing and also wing foiling enthusiasts. With spots like Playa Chica, Bolonia, Tarifa town or even the more challenging spot of Canos de Meca (with its reef of rocks that can sometimes come out of the water in some places), Tarifa offers ideal wind conditions for wing foiling all year round. Allowing you to sail with wind and mild temperatures in winter. When the levante rises, the wind strength is usually 6-7 Beaufort, providing strong and constant wind conditions.