Youth Wing Courses

Welcome to our youth wing courses where you can have great fun in the school holidays with other young people learning the latest, exciting sports of wingsurfing and wingfoiling. Our wing school is at Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC) in Surrey on a clean, deep, 700 acre stretch of water raised high above the landscape. Our 3-day courses are limited to just 4 places per course. Book now to learn how to use the latest wing equipment to glide over the water in style!

We are a separate RYA Training Centre for all levels of wingsurf and wingfoil with a unit right by the water with a large astroturf rigging area. We have our own equipment (the latest boards, foils and wings from Starboard and Freewing), instructors, booking system and online shop for equipment, wetsuits, shoes, impact vests, helmets etc.

We work very closely with QMSC and run our youth courses at the same time as they run theirs, following a well- established format. The gives us access to QMSC’s excellent facilities (free onsite parking, large clubhouse, staffed reception, changing rooms, hot showers, café, comfortable seating area with fast wifi (great for busy parents!), large body of water and great winds) as well as their comprehensive welfare, safety and safeguarding network that underpins their successful youth sailing programme.

Simon, who manages (and delivers some of) our youth wing courses, was the QMSC Sailing Manager for 10 years, runs regular top-level coaching at QMSC and elsewhere and knows the location inside-out, so you can be assured of a safe, fun and professional course for your children.

We offer 2 courses: Learn To Wing and Improve your Winging.

Click here for dates and prices.

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Course: Youth Learn to Wing £330

An introduction to winging which will start with learning the basics of wing control on land and on a non-foiling board (wingsurfing). This course covers wing control, moving around on all points of sail, static turns, tacking, gybing, safety, self-rescue and a little essential theory to help with understanding.

We get asked a lot, "How soon can we go foiling?" On this Youth Learn to Wing course we will progress each participant onto a foiling board (wingfoiling) as soon as they are ready and are able to make progress upwind and tack and gybe. This could happen on day 2 of the course or it could take longer, according to wind conditions, personal ability, balance, wind awareness and/or previous sailing or windsurfing experience. Some candidates may not be ready to foil by the end of the course. We will neither rush anyone into foiling nor hold them back from it.

Duration: 3 days
Timings: 0930-1630
Age: 10-15
Minimum level of experience to join: none

Kit allocation, as per RYA guidance:

Wingsurfing - each participant will be given their own non-foiling board and wing to use
Wingfoiling - each participant will share a board, foil and wing with one other person (rotating regularly between board and powerboat or shore) until they are successfully foiling under control for sustained periods of time. At this point they will be allocated their own board, foil and wing

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Course: Youth Improve your Winging £330

A development of wingfoiling for those who can already wingfoil at least a little for short periods of time and can make their way upwind. This course covers foil setup and types of foils, wing control, pumping, improved foiling control and longer flight times, turns (from basic static turns all the way though to foiling tacks and gybes, according to ability), safety, self-rescue and a little essential theory to help with understanding.

With this course we will work to develop the skills of the individual with no limit to how far we can take them. As such, this course can be booked onto multiple times to receive coaching at an increasingly advanced level. In the event that the wind is too light to foil at certain times, then we will revert back to building skills on land and on a non-foiling board.

Duration: 3 days
Timings: 0930-1630
Age: 10-15
Minimum level of experience to join: ability to wingfoil a little

Kit allocation, as per RYA guidance:

Wingsurfing - each participant will be given their own non-foiling board and wing to use
Wingfoiling - each participant will share a board, foil and wing with one other person (rotating regularly between board and powerboat or shore) until they are successfully foiling under control for sustained periods of time. At this point they will be allocated their own board, foil and wing

Wind speed & equipment

WingSURFing is best learned in approximately 7-27 knots (Beaufort low-force 3 to upper-force 6)
WingFOILing for beginners (who are not yet able to pump the wing and foil) is best learned in approximately 14-30 knots (Beaufort mid-force 4 to mid-force 7)
WingFOILing for those with experience (who are able to pump the wing and foil) can be in as little as 8 knots
To achieve this we have Starboard Freewing GO wings of the following sizes: 2.5m, 3.5m, 4.5m, 5.5m, 6.5m. The boards used for wingSURF are 246 litre Starboard Starts and the boards used for beginner wingFOIL are 160, 140 & 115 litre Starboard Wingboards. Advanced sessions have access to sub-100 litre Starboard Wingboards. Foils are Starboard, using 82cm masts with front wings: S-Type 2400, 2000, 1800 or 1500 (low aspect).

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Notes for all our youth wing courses

The courses will run in all weather and wind conditions. In the event that the wind is too light to foil at certain times, then we will revert back to building skills on land and on a non-foiling board
The equipment we provide: board, wing, foil, wetsuit, helmet, 50N buoyancy impact vest
The equipment you provide: watersports shoes, swimwear (for under the wetsuit), towel, water bottle etc.
We have wetsuits, watersports shoes etc. available to purchase from our online shop, for click and collect from QMSC either before your course or on the first day. We also have new and used wing boards, wings and foils for sale and can advise on beginner, improver and advanced packages
Each of our courses follow the RYA Wingsurfing and Wingfoiling Schemes and certification will made as and when certificate levels are achieved. The four RYA levels are:

Learn to Wingsurf
Improve Your Wingsurfing
First Flights
Sustained Flights

Previous experience that can contribute towards a quicker progression (yet is not in any way essential) includes:

Sailing, windsurfing or kiting - for wind awareness
SUP, skateboarding or snowboarding - for balance
Windfoiling (foiling on a windsurf board)

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Youth wing course dates & prices 2025

£330 per person (inc. VAT), maximum 4 persons

Youth Learn to Wing: 3-days (0930-1630)

8-10 April
26-28 May
8-10 July
5-7 August

Youth Improver Winging: 3-days (0930-1630)

16-18 April
22-24 July
19-21 August
28-30 October

Youth wing lessons are bookable online and individual requests can be made by contacting SWM directly. Please do not call QMSC to book or to make an enquiry. (Prices correct at 1st January 2025)

READY TO START YOUR WINGING JOURNEY?

Book now or send us a message. If you would like to join QMSC with your own kit to wingfoil all year round then click here to find out more about membership.

What makes SWM good for wing lessons?

Our wing school at Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC) in Surrey is on a clean, deep, 700 acre stretch of water raised high above the landscape. It is simply brilliant for wingfoiling! We have a unit right by the water with a large astroturf rigging area and we use the very latest boards, foils and wings from Starboard and Freewing. Our instructors are friendly and knowledgeable and our ratio for teaching is very low (mostly one instructor to two students) so you should. expect a fairly personalised service, not a large group experience. Every lesson comes with powerboat support to keep things safe, to enable rest time afloat and to transfer learners upwind away from the shore whenever necessary. We are a RYA Training Centre for all levels of wingsurf and wingfoil, with our kit, facility, qualifications, procedures, teaching standards and safety inspected annually by the RYA.
What is wingsurfing?

WingSURFing refers to the use of ‘an inflatable wing with hard or soft handles or a boom’ on either a high-volume windsurf board with a daggerboard or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) with a centre fin and/or side fins (drift-stoppers).
What is wingfoiling?

WingFOILing refers to the use of ‘an inflatable wing with hard or soft handles or a boom’ on a specific wingfoil board with a hydrofoil attached to the underside. This allows the board to rise up out of the water as it moves forwards and foiling occurs.
Do you offer Parawinging lessons?

Yes we do...click here for all the info!
What does wingfoiling feel like?

Foiling above the water feels exciting yet relaxing at the same time, delivering a very smooth ride. As the foil slices through the water, the usual noise and bumping of the board against the surface all but disappears and the sensation of gliding is second-to-none.
What previous watersports experience do you need to have to learn to wingsurf/wingfoil?

No previous experience of watersports is required. Previous experience with balance sports and/or understanding of how the wind works will help a little yet this is not essential. Experienced windfoilers and kitefoilers tend to make fast progress. People from all backgrounds have learned to wing with us, from those with zero watersports experience those who enjoy surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing and/or kitesurfing.
What is the pathway to learning this sport?

It is important to learn to wingsurf first and then to wingfoil. This is because learning the wing basics whilst learning to foil at the same time is too much to take in. Some people may choose to stick with wingsurfing in order to remain on the water rather than above it. Most people, however, are keen to progress to wingfoiling asap.
How many lessons do I need before I can go wingfoiling by myself?

The basics of wingfoiling are relatively easy to master, typically with a much faster learning curve than other watersports. Adult Wing Courses Depending on previous watersports experience and balance, wind awareness and fitness level, beginners are likely to need 1-3 lessons (of 3 hours each) in wingsurfing before moving onto a large foil board. Then with another 1-3 lessons on the foil most people have enough knowledge to carry on by themselves. Youth Wing Courses Depending on previous watersports experience and balance, wind awareness and fitness level, beginners are likely to need 1-1.5 days in wingsurfing before moving onto a large foil board. Then, having spent the rest of the course on the foil young people may have enough knowledge to carry on themselves.
What wind speed is required?

On the flat, accessible water at QMSC: · WingSURFing is best learned in approximately 7-27 knots (Beaufort low-force 3 to upper-force 6) · WingFOILing for beginners (who are not yet able to pump the wing and foil) is best learned in approximately 14-30 knots (Beaufort mid-force 4 to mid-force 7) · WingFOILing for those with experience (who are able to pump the wing and foil) can be in as little as 8 knots
I see that lessons are 3-hours. I don’t think I can manage to stand on a board for 3 hours! Can I do a shorter lesson?

All of our standard lessons are 3 hours and not all that time will be spent standing on the board! We tried 2-hour standard lessons when we started the school and we quickly discovered that this was not enough time as lessons have to include diverse elements: on-water wing practice, kit selection, rigging, any land drills required, any shore teaching required, on-water instructor demos, transferring learners upwind when they (inevitably) lose ground downwind, a little rest time in the boat, returning to the shore and putting the kit away. This 3-hour block contains about 90 - 120 minutes of actual winging time(depending on the absorption speed, fitness and balance of the learner) which, together with all the other elements facilitates the ideal session.
Can I do a full day of winging lessons?

We honestly think that a full day of wing lessons is not at all a realistic option as exhaustion would become a barrier to progression. The 3-hour block is just right. If you are super-keen for more then you could book 2 lessons over 2 successive days.
Can I book a private 1:1 lesson?

Private 1:1 lessons are available for those who can already wingfoil reasonably well. Otherwise you are invited to book onto one of our standard 3-hour lessons for 2 people. Our 1:1 lessons are 2-hours and are for those who have their own kit, have decent wingfoiling technique and need help with a specific skill such as using a smaller board, improved pumping, foiling gybes etc. In order to make a 2-hour lesson work you are required to start on time with your kit fully rigged, ready to hit the water straight away. A couple of these lessons per season will really help you to maintain focus on your technique which will help you to improve in the most efficient way.
What do I need to bring?

You provide: your own wetsuit and suitable watersports shoes. 4/3mm wetsuits may be able to be supplied on request yet these are suitable for Spring, Summer and Autumn. 6/5mm winter wetsuits are recommended in colder weather.
What is provided?

We provide the board, foil, wing, leashes, full access to the club facilities and a powerboat for instructor to teach from. We also provide a top-spec helmet and impact jacket with 50N of buoyancy.
Who will deliver my lesson?

It will be one of our friendly and experienced instructors who are all RYA qualified as wingsurf/foil instructors. Simon delivers some of the lessons.
How do I book a lesson?

Simply click on the booking button that floats over every web page, register or log in, select your session and make payment online. As soon as payment is received you will automatically receive your confirmation as well as everything you need to know about the lesson.
It’s a while until my lesson. If I book now, how will we know if there will be the right wind on the day?

We don’t know that so, like any weather-dependent event, you just book onto and pay for the future day and time that suits you and then - closer to the time – we will assess a range of weather forecasts (especially Windguru which is good for QMSC). If we have confidence in the wind around 2 days before, we will confirm your session and proceed. If not enough wind is forecast around 2 days before then we will check it again the following day and either proceed or transfer your booking to another session without penalty.
What happens if the wind is too light once I have arrived for my lesson?

If this happens we would continue with the lesson even if the wind dropped below the optimum strength for foiling. We might use a larger board, foil and/or wing. We would remain optimistic as the wind often comes back after a lull. We would focus on the development of the following skills: balancing on a board in non-foiling conditions, riding toeside (switch stance), tacking, gybing and pumping – essential training elements of winging that may get neglected when the wind is stronger In the unlikely event that the conditions are hopeless (despite a good forecast) we may be able to abandon all or part of the session and re-book it, carrying over a full or part credit for the unsuccessful session (this would be at the discretion of the instructor on the day).
What are the dates and times of lessons/sessions?

Sessions are available all year round as follows: · (April – September) 7 days a week, mornings and afternoons · (October – March) Wednesday - Sunday, mornings and afternoons · (April – August) Wednesday evenings Un-booked sessions may be removed from the system as the day approaches. Weekend and Wednesday evening bookings are popular so we are always grateful to those who are able to select weekday bookings.
Do you do tow-foiling behind a power boat if the wind is too light?

No. Water-skiing, wake boarding or any other method of being towed behind a powerboat is not permitted on our waters at Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC). Further, we have taught a number of people who have previously experienced tow-foiling and this does not appear to have helped them very much in terms of their ability to foil. Whilst tow-foiling can help with the feel of foiling, the sheer consistency of the forward power provided by the boat can perhaps give you a false sense of confidence. This may even lead to disappointment and frustration when you try to reproduce that consistency by using the less-direct power of the wind in the wing. We feel that the foiling element of winging is best learned and mastered using a wing rather than the boat’s engine.
Do you do e-foiling or assisted-foiling?

No. E-foiling and propellor devices such as Foil Drive Assist are not permitted at QMSC. Powered craft are only permitted on the reservoir for the purposes of safety and foiling propellor devices present a risk to other water users. We believe that the purity of learning to use the wind to power your foiling board is the very best way.