Watersports activities
Nine ways onto the water and two schools to teach you, all from one building. Never tried any of them? Good. The lake is flat, shallow and the easiest place in the North West to start.
Pick your sport.
Northern Kites teaches wing foiling, pump foiling, parawing and kiting. the Watersports Centre teaches sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, swimming and kayaking. Every lesson comes with a qualified instructor and the kit included.
Wing foiling
The fastest-growing sport on the lake. Start on a big stable board learning to handle the wing, then move onto the foil when you're ready. Flat water takes months off the learning curve.
- Good for
- Anyone reasonably active, no experience needed
- Start with
- Wing taster, then the foil course
- Taught by
- Northern Kites
Pump foiling
Foiling with no wind, no wing and no wave. Start from the dock, pump the board and fly across glass-flat water on your own power. Properly hard at first, properly addictive after, and the lake is the ideal place to crack it.
- Good for
- Foilers after a new challenge, and the fit and determined
- Start with
- Dock start coaching session
- Taught by
- Northern Kites
Parawing
The newest thing in foiling. A compact, packable wing flown on short lines: get up on the foil, stow it in a pocket and ride hands-free, then relaunch it when you need it. Made for downwind runs out in the estuary and beyond.
- Good for
- Confident wing foilers ready for the next step
- Start with
- Parawing intro session
- Taught by
- Northern Kites
Windsurfing
West Kirby is one of the best-known windsurfing lakes in the country, with good reason: steady wind and water as flat as it gets. Learn the basics in a morning, or come and chase your top speed.
Fast fact: the world windsurfing production speed record was set on this lake in October 1991, when Dave White hit 42.16 knots (about 48 mph).
- Good for
- Beginners through to speed sailors
- Start with
- Beginner course, or improver coaching
- Taught by
- Watersports Centre
Paddleboarding
The easiest way onto the water. Calm mornings on the lake are made for it, and you can stand up wherever you fall in. Good for families, friends and anyone who wants a quiet hour afloat.
- Good for
- Everyone, including complete first-timers
- Start with
- Taster session or board hire
- Taught by
- Watersports Centre
Sailing
Dinghy sailing in a safe, enclosed space, with room to grow into the estuary beyond. Learn to rig, steer and handle a boat properly with qualified instructors.
- Good for
- Adults and juniors
- Start with
- Start sailing course
- Taught by
- Watersports Centre
Swimming
Open-water swimming without the tide, the current or the boat traffic. Sheltered saltwater, a marked course and a sauna waiting when you get out.
- Good for
- Pool swimmers ready for open water, and regulars
- Start with
- A supervised swim session
- Taught by
- Watersports Centre
Kayaking
Sit-on-tops and kayaks for an easy paddle round the lake. A good one for groups and younger children, and a gentle introduction to being on the water.
- Good for
- Families, groups and schools
- Start with
- Taster session or kayak hire
- Taught by
- Watersports Centre
Kitesurfing
Kite lessons run on the open water either side of the Wirral, with the centre as your base for kit, advice and a brew afterwards.
- Good for
- Anyone ready for a bigger challenge
- Start with
- Kite taster day
- Taught by
- Northern Kites
Ways to get on the water.
However you like to learn, and however much time you've got.
Taster sessions
A couple of hours to find out if it's for you. No commitment, all kit included.
Courses
Structured lessons that take you from first go to riding on your own, at your pace.
Private coaching
One-to-one time on the exact thing you're stuck on, for any level.
Hire and demo
Already riding? Hire for the session, or take demo kit out from the brands in the shop.
Groups, schools and clubs.
The lake is enclosed and shallow, which makes it ideal for groups. School sessions, youth groups, birthday parties, team days and club hire can all be built around what you need.
Lessons go on sale before we open.
Tell us which activity you're interested in and you'll be first to hear when dates and prices are released.