The best way to learn wingsurfing is in a wingsurfing school with appropriately trained coaches and suitable equipment. Malte Krummradt from Wingfoil Fehmarn is one of those who focussed on the new sport early on. We asked him how a wingsurfing school should be equipped:
"Of course, the instructors should be competent and experienced in wingfoil. The right equipment should be available for each individual student according to their height, weight and athleticism. Wing, board and foil size must match the body weight. Light people in particular will find it very difficult if they have to use equipment that is too big. The foils should have short masts so that you can also practise in shallow water. They are also less problematic in the event of a fall."
Learn to wingsurf - with previous experience in just a few days
Windsurfing is often taught in larger groups. Is that also possible for wingsurfing? Malte: "It's ideal if one instructor can take care of two students. Before going onto the foil, all students must first be able to go upwind with a large board, then do the same with a foil board, but without taking off. If you can already windsurf or kitesurf without a foil, you can do it in about six hours on the foil," says the professional from experience. However, wingsurfing instructors from various surf schools emphasise that if you have no previous experience at all, you should plan a few more hours of practice, which doesn't change the fact that the spark is quickly ignited: Anyone who has ever flown a few metres across the water on a foil without a sound and without weight will want to experience it again.
And the equipment? "The biggest mistake you can make," explains Malte, "is to blindly buy your own equipment to learn wingsurfing and go out on the water in the wrong conditions. You should budget 70 to 100 euros per hour for individual lessons in a small group with perfect equipment," explains Malte Krummradt.
Below we have compiled a constantly growing overview of wingsurfing schools in Germany and abroad, sorted by country:
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Germany - the wingsurf schools at a glance
There are already many water sports centres in Germany where you can learn to wingsurf. The focus is of course on the North Sea and Baltic coast, but there are also more and more opportunities inland.
Denmark - Learn to wingsurf between the North and Baltic Seas
Denmark is one of the windiest regions in Europe and boasts a wild North Sea and endless shallow water areas. The Ringkøbing Fjord is a hotspot for learning to wingsurf, with several water sports centres. But there are also more and more options on the equally attractive Baltic coast.
Sweden - endless Baltic Sea coast
Sweden has an almost endless Baltic coastline and a growing wingsurfing scene. The first centres have also been established, especially along the west coast.
The Netherlands - an Eldorado for learning to wingsurf
Protected inland waters and the wild North Sea - this combination has always made the Netherlands a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Many water sports centres have expanded their portfolio and offer courses to learn wingsurfing.
Austria - Wingsurfing in the Alpine republic
Wingsurfing can be learnt in Austria at Lake Neusiedl, for example, just outside Vienna. But wingfoiling is also finding its way to other lakes in the Alpine republic...
Switzerland - where the Swiss take off
Switzerland, with its countless deep lakes, is made for wingsurfers. The stronghold is Lake Silvaplana, but there is also plenty on offer away from it.
Italy - endless opportunities to learn to wingsurf
The sweet life also awaits those who want to learn wingsurfing in Italy. The absolute Mecca is Lake Garda, nowhere else are there so many water sports schools in such a small area. But the Gargano, Sicily and Sardinia are also increasingly becoming strongholds of wingsurfing.
Croatia - 16,000 kilometres of coastline for water sports enthusiasts
Croatia offers countless islands and different wind systems. It goes without saying that you can now also learn to wingsurf here.
Greece - all schools for learning wingsurfing at a glance
Greece has countless islands and a reliable wind system, especially in the summer months with the Meltemi. The region is well developed for water sports enthusiasts, with many kitesurfing and windsurfing centres now also offering wingsurfing courses.
Wingsurfing in Spain (without Canary Islands)
Hotspots for learning to wingsurf are the Balearic Islands and of course Tarifa on the Strait of Gibraltar. You can find the Canary Islands in a separate map below.
Wingsurfing on the Canary Islands
Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria are among the windiest spots in the world in summer. It goes without saying that you can also learn to wingsurf here.
Portugal
Portugal offers numerous opportunities to learn wingsurfing on the Atlantic and in the lagoons. Hotspots are the areas around Lisbon, Viana do Castelo and the Algarve in the south.
