Here are the main beginner wing foil spots that I go to, the reasons I go are smooth water and enclosed safe area. There are other spots that have semi smooth or less rough water, some are dangerous because the wind or current can get us miles from shore, others have a more complicated launch or tide/wind requirements, both can be challenging for a beginner.
I recommend a subscription to iwindsurf.com so that you know what the wind is forecast to do and what the latest wind sensor readings are.
Learn to Wing Foil, book a lesson today.
One – is the Richmond Marina Bay Harbor, this a known popular kiting spot, on most spring and summer windy days there will be half a dozen or more folks here. There is a nice parking lot, and a short walk to a small beach. There is a short, both height and length, rockwall that keeps the water smooth while letting the wind blow in. I recommend staying near the wall and don’t go past the end of it, as the water gets rough with weird current, also it gets shallow at the end of the wall and shallow enough to hit the bottom at low tide. There are also some shallow rocks near the wall and just off the beach, so give yourself at a least 15 foot buffer away from the wall.
On the picture map I marked the parking area, where the beach launch is. Also if you get blown down wind the far exit is the boat launch ramp but this is a very long walk, so bike or two car shuttle recommended. Another downwind exit is to wing or paddle over to the gap in the rock wall dirt beach, there is a small little break in the rock wall with a tiny dirt/mud beach (booties recommended). and then walk back. Also keep an eye out for boats entering and exiting the harbor. Some of the Tether video (video 1,3) is from this spot as well as the Wing Handling for Beginners video (Video 1,2,4,5,6,7,8).
Two – is the Half Moon Bay Pillar Point Harbor, popular in winter on south wind days and there can be quite a few kites in the air. Spring and summer it is growing as a wing foiling beginner spot, Mavericks Surfshop might have some wings, foils, and boards (contact Jeff Clark to see what is available). Can park near and launch at the Pillar Point Harbor Beach (can drive out to the boat launch ramp to see the setup). I am friends with Jeff Clark so I park at his old Mavericks Paddlesports shop (this shop location is now closed) and rig and launch there. Can also park at the end of W Point Ave or the Mavericks Parking lot.
One potential hazard is the boats anchored or moored in the harbor, I have seen a friend get to close to a boat and have their wing torn open, it is pretty simple to avoid them. I have only had trouble once where I got blown downwind and had to walk back, I have seen people prone paddle back, or end up in at Pillar Point Beach and had someone pick them up. The jetty wall can rip a wing so if heading towards it with no ability stop might be wise to deflate your wing and paddle to the nearest beach. Half Moon Bay is a small community where everyone knows each other, I recommend supporting them and buying gear from Mavericks Surfshop, and Brian at Old Princeton Landing is a Wing Foiler and also Dave at Jetty Wave Distillery and they sell tasty food and beverages. In the Wing Foil Tips for Beginner page I have videos on this spot. Here is a video from Mavericks Surf Company Instagram.
Another spot I have been to once is Shoreline Lake. The biggest is issue when I was there was a lack of wind and very inconsistent wind. See the comment below about Shoreline. There were a half dozen or so wingers and also sailing lessons boats. For me it’s quite far to get to and I would only go back if someone lived near there and wanted a lesson.
There are 2 other spots that I have heard from people who wing foil there, I have NOT been to verify this myself. Foster City Lagoon, and Bodega Bay. Foster city often has lighter winds, Bodega often has very very strong winds (30-50mph), also I don’t know the water depth or shallow areas of any these spots. Usually the location of a learn to windsurf school is the tip off that it’s a pretty good place to learn. I highly recommend if you go to these spots to find a local and ask about the area. Some spots have a designated local guide resource.
Richmond Marina Bay had a half dozen new wingers learning last Saturday and handful on Sunday, seemed like a good crew of both women and men. Wind was more west so getting blown downwind would send a winger to the stairs instead of the boat ramp making the walk back easier.
Maybe not cool to let the cat out of the bag but I absolutely went from having really challenging sessions to improving much faster at Crissy Field while staying ~ 100-400 feet from shore.
* The consistent & strong winds.
* Long beach.
* Less chop for the amount of wind than other spots.
There’s a really good launch spot that will keep you from dodging folks at the main takeoff near Anita Rock near that grove of trees, walking westward towards the Golden Gate Bridge.
—
Shoreline I’ve been to and wouldn’t recommend. The water is incredibly gross, bottom is simultaneously sharp rocks and slimy from goose poop. Folks on paddleboats with no awareness that you might not necessarily have full control of your wing while learning and will just paddle directly into you.
That said, there were lots of wingers. The lake is small so you can’t drift too far.
Thanks for the report. Glad to hear you are improving.
Yeah crissy I have seen many days with good beginner friendly conditions. I also know several very experienced watermen who have been rescued or had gear failure that required a difficult self rescue.
I respect the power of that spot and strongly encourage everyone to have a self rescue plan whenever going out.
I’m another advocate for Crissy, although at the time of writing (late October) the season is coming to an end and you need to be extra cautious about being caught without wind. I carry a marine VHF radio every session.
I’ve had a handful of sessions at Larkspur this season https://www.iwindsurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=163&siteID=216&Isection=Beach+Map
I started in July with a couple of lessons with Graham from Delta Windsports at Sherman Island, though note the wind can be very strong at times. https://deltawindsports.com/collections/delta-school
A friend started out at Alameda with https://boardsportscalifornia.com/wing-surfing/wing-surfing-lessons/
All that said, the best value for money learning is a subscription to Clays Island!
Hi David, Glad to hear you are making the rounds, and thanks for the endorsement!
FYI there are reports of marine radios failing when not carried in a waterproof pouch, essentially the submersible radios are designed for emergency submersion and not daily dunking. Here is a write up of radio use in the SF bay area:
https://www.sfba.org/marine-radio-guide.html