Are you keen to try or improve in wing foiling? Ixia Bay in Rhodes offers some of the best conditions out there for wing foiling with consistent winds suitable for all levels of riders. The spot is also a tour stop in the 2022 and 2023 Wing Foil World Tour.
The wing foil center
Surfers Paradise offers the latest equipment from Duotone, F-One, JP, and Neilpryde in sizes that will suit every level or rider. The intermediate riders will get to use super light carbon foils and boards. In addition, you will find music, Wi-Fi, shadow areas, sun loungers, and showers. Wet suits, harnesses, and helmets are also available and included in the package.
The wind and the conditions
The spot in the middle of Ixia Bay delivers great conditions from April to October. The wind usually starts calmly in the morning which makes it suitable for beginners. At midday, the wind picks up and gives great conditions for more advanced riders. This wind system is called the Meltemi and makes the spot ideal for every level of rider.
The coaching
Surfers Paradise chooses to teach in smaller groups of 1-3 persons to improve attention to detail and quality when coaching. To be a safe and independent wingfoiler the average amount of lessons needed is 6 hours which will be divided into sessions of 1.5 hours per day for 4 days. In case you want/need extra lessons or equipment to rent outside of the lessons, you can easily add that on-site. Intermediate riders will get a tailor-made lesson plan depending on their needs.
The program
In your first session you will learn the basics of setting up and using the wing:
- Terminology
- Setup, secure, and pack down
- Handling the wing on the beach
- Enter/exit the water
Thereafter you focus on your first ride on the water without the foil:
- Self-rescue
- Ride on knees
- Ride standing
- Ride upwind
After the first steps, you will be moving on to the intermediate steps where you will be adding the foil:
- Pumping/getting on the hydrofoil
- Ride upwind/downwind
- Foot change
- Jibes
- Tacks
Guests have quite flexible days as the lessons are to be scheduled upon request between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. therefore whatever free time remains is to be handled by guests themselves. Needless to mention there are lots of things to be seen and/or done on the island.