What to Wear for a Kitesurf or Wingfoil Lesson in a UK Spring

Short answer: we provide the wetsuit, helmet and impact vest for every lesson. Wear swimwear underneath and bring a towel, warm clothes for afterwards, water and snacks. For wingfoil and pumpfoil lessons, bring wetsuit boots or old trainers. In early spring a thermal rash vest under the wetsuit, plus a hat and gloves for the beach, makes a big difference.

How cold is the water in spring?

The sea around the Wirral is around 8–10°C in April and warms to about 11–13°C by late May. The air can feel much colder in the wind than the temperature suggests. You'll be moving a lot in a lesson, but you'll also spend time standing in the water listening to your instructor, so it's worth layering up.

What we provide

• A full-length wetsuit suited to the season
• Helmet and impact vest or buoyancy aid
• All the kite, wing, board and foil equipment
• Changing rooms and hot showers at Wallasey Beach Club and the Wirral Watersports Centre

What to wear and bring

• Swimwear to wear under the wetsuit
• A thermal or rash vest if you have one. It adds warmth under the wetsuit.
• Wetsuit boots or old trainers for wingfoil and pumpfoil lessons. Kitesurf lessons at Wallasey Beach are usually barefoot on the sand, but boots help on cold days.
• Neoprene gloves and hood if you own them, for early-season lessons
• A towel and warm, loose clothes for afterwards. A changing robe is ideal.
• Water and snacks, as lessons are physical and some last 4–5 hours
• Sun cream and sunglasses with a strap, because spring sun on the water is stronger than it feels

What not to bring onto the water

Leave jewellery, watches and glasses that aren't secured with a strap on the beach. Contact lenses are fine, but bring a spare pair.

Staying warm between sessions

Get out of the wind straight away, put a warm layer on over your wetsuit and have a hot drink. At Wallasey Beach Club you can warm up in the clubhouse between sessions.

If you'd like to buy your own kit, our sister shop Northern Watersports stocks wetsuits, boots and changing robes, and can advise on what's right for UK water.

See how booking works, or browse kitesurf, wingfoil and pumpfoil lessons.