North East Scotland Wing Foil
The NE Scotland offers many beautiful beaches and lochs for kitesurfing and wingsurfing or wing foiling. Since starting wing foiling in 2020 I am discovering new spots that were previously out of bounds with a kite due to gusty wind or insufficient launch spots for kites. There are also many small harbours or coves that now become viable paddling out from with a wing foiling board to reach the wind line. Below is just a selection of spots that I have found so far!
Wingfoiling and Kitesurfing in Fraserburgh
This spot works best in a NW wind. But is also doable in W through NNE directions. Kitesurfers generally launch from the Eastern end of the beach at the Waters of Philorth. The car park is about a 750m from the beach over sand dunes, so make sure you don’t forget your pump in the car!
At the far east of the beach there is a spot called Cairnbulg which generally is a bit more sheltered with less shore break. This is a good spot to try wing foiling or wingsurfing as the shore break is often smaller than elsewhere on the beach.
The photo below was taken by a local photographer (aka Fat man skinny Camera) who can often be spotted on the beach taking great snaps of action in the water.
Wingfoiling and Kitesurfing in Aberdeen
Our local spot. Works in any wind direction from North, East to Southerly. SSW is slightly cross offshore but doable provided you are not out alone. For kiters the beach is best avoided around high tide as there is little beach left to launch or land the kite. There are groins throughout the beach so take care when sailing near them.
Wingsurfing or wing foiling opens up new options for Aberdeen beach. It means that you are not so worried about the lack of space to launch at high tide. Also at the Footdee end (southern end) in a strong southerly wind, a nice flat spot opens up close to the harbour wall when the rest of the beach can be a white mess. A good spot to practice your gybes or ride the swell.
Wingfoiling on Loch Skene
Wingsurfing or wing foiling has opened up this spot for me. Only 20 minutes from my house i’ve had more sessions there in past couple of weeks than elsewhere over the last few months and my gybes and tacks have improved as a result! This just shows the potential Scotland has for wing foiling as there are so many lochs to explore that you think twice about launching a kite on! Also these inland spots are gusty but that’s not an issue with wing foiling as you can just sheet out and depower the wing.
So far i can confirm it works in a SW, through NW wind and probably NNE is doable too. Launch from the east side and walk a few hundred meters from the lay-by.
The water is shallow for the first 100-200m but then becomes chest deep up to about 6′ deep in the middle as far as I can tell. The bottom is muddy and doesn’t seem to have any obstacles to damage your foil. It remains to be seen if wing foiling will still be possible in the summer months as I wonder if there will be too much weed growth at that time of the year… (fingers crossed there won’t).
Frequented by lots of standup paddle boarders, this spot is also a great place to try wing foiling without the hydrofoil due to the flat and shallow water.
Wingfoiling and Kitesurfing in Cruden Bay
Beautiful large sandy bay that faces SE. Works best S through East wind direction. There can be a lot of white water at the north of the beach in strong winds but the waves clean up nicely at the south end.
Wing foil options are to launch from the south end or perhaps paddle out from Port Eroll Harbour if you are experienced enough but mind the rocks!
Wingfoiling and Kitesurfing in Balmedie
A popular kitesurfing beach it works in SSW, S through to NNE. The waves can get a bit messy if there has been strong wind for a few days with lots of white water.
Wingfoiling and Kitesurfing in Monifieth
This spot is a popular spot. It works best in a SW wind and in that direction the wind is often stronger here than elsewhere due to the acceleration effect of the estuary. This is a good flat water spot, with easy access and parking as well as a play park, cafe and high street nearby for the family. At low tide there is plenty of beach to launch a kite but around high tide it becomes tricky. Watch out for the current as it is an estuary after all!
Wing foiling or kite foiling are possible, preferably up to 2 hours either side of high tide. Outside of these times there is a risk of hitting rocks with the foil. I’d recommend using a short mast length here of around 65cm to minimise risk of hitting the rocks. Best check the place out at low tide before you try it!