Comingsoon
Opening on West Kirby Marine Lake

The water's better together.

West Kirby ~ Wirral

The North's destination for watersports. Lessons, rental, demo kit, a shop, a sauna and a restaurant, all under one roof on West Kirby Marine Lake.

Get opening news See what's here
Wing foil Pump foil Windsurf Paddle Sail Parawing Swim Kayak Restaurant Sauna

Three waters, one location.

Most places give you one kind of water. West Kirby gives you three, each a step further out. Start where you can stand up, and go as far as you like.

The pontoon on West Kirby Marine Lake stretching out over glassy water that mirrors the clouds, with Wales on the far shore
At the door

The lake

Around 52 acres of flat, shallow saltwater held behind a sea wall. No tide to plan around, no swell, and clean wind straight off the estuary. The best place in the North West to learn, and fast enough to keep experts coming back.

Sunset over the Dee Estuary from the marine lake wall, with walkers silhouetted on the wall and Hilbre on the horizon
Over the wall

The estuary

The Dee opens up beyond the wall: miles of tidal water, sandbanks and channels, with Wales on the far shore. When the tide is in and you're ready for more room, it's right there.

Aerial view of Hilbre Island surrounded by the sea at high tide
Past Hilbre

The sea

Round the Hilbre Islands and you're in Liverpool Bay. Open water for downwinders, coastal paddles and proper sailing, with a warm building and a hot drink waiting when you get back.

Everything on one lake.

Each part is run by people who do this every day, and they all share one building and one stretch of water.

See what's here
Did you know?

Five things about West Kirby.

42.16knots

A world speed record was set here

In October 1991 Dave White set the world windsurfing production speed record on the marine lake, at about 48 mph. Flat water behind a wall is still one of the fastest strips in the UK.

1899the lake opened

Sailing at any tide since 1899

The lake wall was built to let boats sail on the Dee even at low water. It sprang a catastrophic leak in 1985 and was rebuilt wider, which is the lake you ride on today.

1 mito Hilbre

You can walk to an island

Hilbre Island sits a mile offshore at the mouth of the estuary. At low tide you can walk out across the sands via Little Eye and Middle Eye, past the seals. Check today's safe window.

Vikingorigins

The name is Viking

West Kirby comes from the Norse Kirkjubyr, meaning "village with a church". The old village still sits around St Bridget's, whose chancel dates from about 1320.

007went to school here

Bond went to school here

Daniel Craig was a pupil at Hilbre High School and Calday Grange Grammar. George Mallory, the Everest mountaineer, was schooled in West Kirby too.

Lessons, tasters, hire

Watersports activities

Wing foil, pump foil, parawing, windsurf, paddle, sail, swim, kayak and kite. Pick one and see how to start.

See all activities Your kit, your time

Lake memberships

Ride the marine lake all year with your own kit, plus somewhere warm to change.

See memberships

Why Wirral Watersports?

One lake, every sport, and a community that shares it.

Nobody learns alone

Every rider you'll meet here was helped by someone further along. We built the place around that: shared water, shared knowledge, someone to launch you and someone to laugh with after.

The lake belongs to everyone

Clubs, schools, youth groups, first-timers and lifers all use this water. The centre is here to make that easier for all of them, not to fence it off.

It's more fun

Socials, demo days, races and quiet Tuesday sessions. Membership and the events calendar will be published before we open. Sign up below and you'll hear first.

Good to know

I've never done any watersports. Is this for me?

Yes. The lake is flat and shallow, which makes it one of the easiest places in the country to start. Beginner lessons include all the kit, and you don't need to be especially fit or a strong swimmer to have a go at paddleboarding or a taster session.

Can I bring my own kit and just use the lake?

Yes. That's what a lake membership is for, and there will be day passes if you're just visiting.

What's the difference between demo and hire?

Demo kit is current-season equipment from the brands in the shop, there so you can test before buying. If you just want to get on the water for an hour, that's hire, and the schools can sort you out.

Is the restaurant only for people using the water?

No. It's open to everyone, whether you're here for the water or just the view.

Is this the old Wirral Watersports Centre?

Same lake, same building, and a lot more going on inside. The building is now Wirral Watersports. Its own school, the Watersports Centre, teaches sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, swimming and kayaking, alongside Northern Kites, the shop, the restaurant and the sauna.

Be first on the water.

Leave your email and we'll tell you when the doors open, when lessons go on sale and when the first demo day is. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe any time.