For centuries, paddling a kayak was the preferred mode of transport for many indigenous populations when they needed to cross stretches of open water. In fact, you can almost guarantee that Hayling would have been first reached by some form of kayak!

A kayak also provided a vital way to hunt for food, as a means to catch fish.

Historians believe that being able to paddle is a deep-rooted skill that has been passed on through the ages. While many people will have never been anywhere near a kayak in their lives, it is easy to master the basics and get on the way to paddling nirvana

Kayaking Fun for every level

As a kayak destination, Hayling Island has it all. There are a variety of launch options depending on the tide and a range of sea conditions on offer. Beginners and advanced participants alike can take their pick from gentle cruising and touring to kayak surfing – all available on Hayling.

The sport has never been easier with the introduction of plastic moulded sit on versions of the craft. These types of kayaks are affordable and durable. They also alleviate the fear of being stuck upside down in the water that traditional kayaks previously produced.

Kayaking can be a fun beach sport for all the family to enjoy just as much as being pro can be adrenaline fuelled.

Many kayakers choose Chichester and Langstone Harbour to practice their sport. This is due to sheltered nature of these spots plus the opportunity to study the abundant wildlife in the area. Kayaking is a great way to spot the large seal population that lives in the water around Hayling Island too.

If you are a bit of a ‘wave head’ then west Beachlands can throw up some good rides.  The great thing about kayaks is that, due to their flat bottoms and durability, it is even possible to ride the feared shore break the island gets at high tide – although a degree of skill is required here.

As you drive around the island during the summer months a kayak being transported is a frequent sight.  This is testament to the popularity of the sport and Hayling Island as a kayak destination.

Kayaking Key Facts

• It is possible to launch a kayak from any side of Hayling depending on the tide, but be respectful of private property and local wildlife
• There are currently no teaching schools on the island but advice and kit sales can be found at Andy Biggs Watersports
• Make sure that you have a good level of skill before venturing out into the waves. Conditions that look easy from the beach can often prove much more challenging up close, particularly when strong currents apply
• Paddling in the harbours is a safer introduction to the sport and affords peace and quiet, with beautiful scenery. However it is still important to be observant, wary of boat traffic and have an understanding of tides

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Skimming across the water while hooked onto a kite seemed like a logical progression for many windsurfers who were looking for a new challenge. The sport of kitesurfing was born!

While initial designs were crude and required a high level of expertise, a whole industry rapidly sprang up and pushed the sport forwards. Equipment development made massive improvements in those early days, as did the skill level of participants.

The local scene

Hayling Island quickly became one of the main spots in the UK to head for when kiting was on the agenda, with the low tide sand bar at the Beachlands end of the island offering a perfect  venue for practicing the sport.

A designated teaching school was set up on Hayling by local kiter Chris Bull. The Hayling Island Kitesurfing School was born and, in attempt to self-police the sport, Chris was also heavily involved in creating a HKA (Hayling Kitesurf Association) – the main kitesurfing club. Today, the Hayling Island Kitesurf School has become CBK, which acts as both private club and school.

Through efforts made by another local kitesurfer, Mark Clark, it is now also possible to now launch a kite from the newly recognised Kite Beach. This is just a few yards east from the funfair at central Beachlands and it is free to launch here.

Havant Borough Council approved this area at the start of 2012 after a lengthy trial period. These positive steps mean that kitesurfers now have a choice of two launch spots.

CBK continues to charge to launch at the western Beachlands site, but in return offers water safety cover and the launch spot boasts flatter water conditions – preferred by many.

In addition to the CBK Kitesurf School, private instruction is also available from various freelance coaches who live on the island.

Kitesurfing on Hayling is now a common sight. Once the pesky offspring of windsurfing, it is now a thriving sport in its own right. Hayling is noted as one of the best kitesurf areas in the UK and has even bred champion riders, including Sam Light who competes on the world stage but revisits his old stomping ground when opportunity allows.

Kitesurfing Key Facts

• The main area to kitesurf is off the sea front at the Beachlands end of the island. Low tide is best
• Two launch spots are available, CBK at the very western end and Kite Beach located at central Beachlands. CBK is a private membership club offering safety cover. Kite Beach is free but no safety cover is provided
• Tuition is available from CBK and other private freelance coaches
• Two kite shops operate on the island – CBK is located on the Sea Front Road and Andy Biggs Watersports in West Town

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The island boasts a number of marinas that can service the needs of the day boater or touring sailor with short and long stay mooring options available. Likewise, if you are just launching for the day then a variety of access points and slipways are available for the public to use.

Hayling is steeped in maritime history and in recent years the motor boating fraternity has taken the island to its heart. It is now a familiar sight to see all type of ocean going craft chugging in and out of the harbour entrances and along the sea front.

RIBS, day boats and luxury cruisers all make Hayling Island a port of call.

On calm days it is possible to come close to shore along the sea front and use your craft as a diving platform – and hopefully catch a bit of sun on a summer’s day too! Be observant of the speed restrictions close to shore, which come into effect 300 yards from land, and respectful of other water users.

There are numerous picnic and mooring points all around Hayling that can give seclusion and peaceful surroundings even during the busiest days of summer.  If bigger adventures are more your thing then Hayling Island is the perfect base for sojourns across to France, the Isle of Wight, the rest of the south coast and even further afield.

Getting it right with the tide is key to having a successful boating trip. At low water it is nearly impossible to bring big motor craft into the waters of north Hayling. But when the tide is in flood you can make it all the way up to the main bridge onto the island – perhaps mooring up next to either The Ship or Royal Oak pubs. Just make sure you finish in enough time to make it back to open water!

Powerboats Key Facts

• Marinas and moorings are available on Hayling – call for rates and information.
• Understand tides and know tide times if planning on exploring Langstone and Chichester Harbours.
• Observe and understand channel buoy markers and deep water routes.
• Obtain weather forecast information before embarking on your journey

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For those who haven’t seen jetskis, then think Motorcross on water. Speed and manoeuvrability are what keep riders coming back for more and the conditions that Hayling regularly gets are what entices riders to travel to the island.

Located at the western tip of the island and next to the Hayling Ferry, a local Jetski Club meets regularly and allows participants to indulge in their sport of choice in a supervised, friendly and fun fashion.

Many riders choose to spend the entire time burning around the mouth of the harbour, as this is one of the quietest stretches of water when it comes to swimmers and bathers.  There is a degree of boat traffic but these vessels are easily avoided as they can usually be seen from quite a distance.

Advanced riders can sneak round to the sea front and on quiet days have been known to head for the end of the sand bar off west Beachlands to play in the waves.

The top echelons of the sport see riders perform tricks off waves plus flat water freestyle moves; much like you see with Freestyle Motorcross on land. Others prefer to race around slalom courses, while many are happy to just use their ski to pootle along and do some exploring.

Some jetski owners also use their toys to gain access to farther flung places such as the Isle of Wight. Buzzing across the Solent on a ski is a fun way to explore. It is important, though, to be mindful that the Solent is a major shipping lane with all associated hazards; advanced skills and excellent local knowledge are required.

If you are planning on travelling a distance, then it is also worth putting your machine through a service beforehand. Being stranded in the path of an oncoming oil tanker may not be such a pleasant experience!

Whatever activity you choose to undertake on your jetski, you will be well catered for if launching from Hayling. With all the inlets and secluded spots dotted along the shores of the island, it’s easy to find your own place to enjoy your hobby.

The only thing to take into consideration is potential noise pollution from the engine of a PWC during busy periods, and be respectful of the local wildlife. The Langstone Harbour Master patrols these waters regularly and will enforce stiff penalties if necessary.

Jet Skiing Key Facts

• Launch from the Hayling Ferry slipway in Langstone Harbour mouth or Northney Marina in Chichester Harbour – a charge may be incurred here
• Understand tides and know their times
• Do not launch in heavy weather
• Observe the maritime rules of the road when on the water and give way to other boat traffic and water users
• Be respectful at all times

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Hayling Island regularly receives excellent sailing conditions and, as an island, it is surrounded by stretches of water that can used for training.

HISC (Hayling Island sailing Club) is the natural base for many athletes due to the outstanding facilities that the club offers. However on any day other than open days you have to be a member to gain access to the club.

HISC isn’t Hayling Island’s only great sailing venue – there are a vast array of other marinas, sailing clubs and boat yards too. Northney Marina, Mengham/Rythe, Sparkes Marina and Hayling Ferry Sailing Club are all based on the island. It is best to check the launch, landing and mooring fees applicable from each by giving them a call.

Beginners will need to undertake a sailing course; setting sail without any previous tuition or safety cover could prove extremely dangerous. Many of the local sailing clubs offer Royal Yachting Association (RYA) tuition to equip sailors with the skills they need.

Setting sail from Hayling

If you own a yacht then you will be well served, as Hayling offers a fantastic sheltered anchorage as a safe haven from westerly storms.  For those needing to undertake maintenance, there are plenty of companies based on the Island willing to offer their services.

Hayling Island is a gateway to the rest of the south coast, the Isle of Wight and Europe. Many choose the island as their yacht base and garner all supplies and provisions before setting off on the journey.

A good sailing business infrastructure is available on the island and servicing the sailing fraternity has been a local industry for many years.

Sailing Key Facts

• Hayling offers both the casual dinghy sailor and professional the opportunity to launch, land and moor
• It is worth checking what fees each venue charges before heading to the island
• Hayling Island is extremely tidal so understanding tides and having access to a tide table is key to making you time on the water enjoyable. Any local sailing club, marina or chandlery will be happy to advise with regard to tide times. Beginners should undertake a sailing course, available at many of the sailing clubs, to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills before taking to the water.

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A significant number of surfers live on the island and they have dedicated most of their lives to understanding weather maps and tide charts, making sure they are ready to be ‘on it’ when those fickle conditions emerge.

The two ends of Hayling offer sand bar waves that break near the mouths of Langstone and Chichester Harbour. With a small window of opportunity, you can guarantee that a large group of wave hungry riders will be at each spot when it gets good. With this in mind it is worth considering your options, as waves can get crowded quickly.

The Beachlands area is the most mellow of the two breaks and also the safest when it comes to tidal flows.  Swells slingshot round the Isle of Wight and rumble down the sand bar getting progressively smaller the closer you get to the beach.

At low tide it is fine to walk out to the end of the sand bar to access the bigger waves that break here. Just be aware that you are quite a distance from shore and once the tide starts to fill in you can be quickly cut off from the beach.

Most locals tend to ride longboards due to the soft breaking nature of the waves here, but during large winter storms it is possible to break out your shortboard.

A little bit of luck…

Hayling is an extremely fickle place for quenching your thirst for waves and unless you understand all of the local anomalies that affect breaking waves then travelling to the island specifically for surfing would best combined with another activity.

If you do manage to get it right with conditions then you could be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere other than the south coast. What Hayling Island lacks in consistency, it certainly makes up for in quality when the stars align.

The best course of action for scoring a decent surf session is to pack all the beach toys and, when a decent looking forecast materialises, head on down to the beach but be prepared to indulge in some other hobby if conditions fail to show up.

There are no surf schools or hire centres on the island but local watersports shops Andy Biggs and CBK are happy to offer advice and share knowledge.

Whichever way you look at it, Hayling is a great place for all watersports and surfing on the island can be better than anticipated.  Be aware that it doesn’t happen all the time and then when you do strike it lucky you’ll be delighted!

Surfing Key facts

• West Beachlands is the most popular spot for surfing
• Low tide gives mellower conditions with wave heights increasing as the tide fills in
• Dangerous currents can be a hazard at certain stages of the tidal cycle and watch out for the powerful high water shore dump
• Winter is more consistent for swell but colder.

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The Hayling Island seafront at low tide is a great place to indulge in a bit of wild swimming. Enthusiasts reckon that the act is both revitalising and rewarding.

Swimming against the ebb and flow of the tide is a fantastic way to exercise and keep fit. Given that the local residents who participate in wild swimming all look about ten years younger than they are, there must be something in it!

It’s not just the sea front that offers the opportunity for wild swimming. Get it right with the tide and weather and you can quite happily do a few laps in and around the waters surrounding the whole island.

With an abundance of underwater wildlife on show, swimming is a great way to explore the ocean deep and see what lives just off our shores. Dolphins, seals and the many fish are possibly things that you will see.

It is worth bearing in mind that Hayling can get quite busy with boating traffic so if you are planning on swimming it is worth getting a diving buoy to attach to yourself. This way you are more likely to be seen and so avoid getting mown down by some unsuspecting speed boat! Staying close to the shoreline will also minimise this risk.

Wild swimming is usually practiced through the summer months when the water is at its warmest. This doesn’t have to be the case though; you can swim in the sea at any time of year.

Getting hold of a swim wetsuit is now relatively easy and this means that, should you want to, continuing through the off season is a possibility.

In certain parts of the country there are open water swimming clubs but, as yet, it is only a select few who participate on Hayling with no official club up and running. Numbers though are increasing.

Some of the best parts of Hayling for swimming are in and around the Kench area, towards the west side of the island. Here you will find some magnificent wildlife that lives in, on and beside the water. As a swimmer you will be making little noise to disturb these animals which puts you in a unique situation where you can observe without fear of startling the creatures. Just be aware of the tidal currents that flow here.

With its Blue Flag beach, ensuring water quality, and many options for entering the water, Hayling Island is a great place to indulge in a spot of wild swimming. Not only will it keep you immensely fit but you will truly feel at one with nature as well.

Sea Swimming Key Facts

• Understand tides and know tide times
• Be wary of shipping and boating lanes – you will be difficult to spot
• Attach a dive buoy to yourself for enhanced visibility
• Wear a swim wetsuit if necessary
• Observe but do not disturb local wildlife
• For advice on potential swimming spots, speak to the Langstone and Chichester Harbour offices.

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Bodyboarding

When Tom Morey invented the bodyboard he didn’t realise just how popular this wave riding craft would be. Nowadays you can purchase boards in the budget price range all the way up to expensive performance models. It’s a great way for beginners and youngsters to get a feel for riding the waves – and equally at the advanced level it’s a high adrenaline extreme sport. A local crew of bodyboarders live on Hayling and regularly ride the pounding high tide shore break.

Skimboarding

Throwing a mini surfboard-shaped board along the shore edge of the sea before chasing after, jumping on board and then sliding. The most amount of fun you can have in all but a sliver of water. Best

Throwing a mini surfboard-shaped board along the shore edge of the sea before chasing after, jumping on board and then sliding. The most amount of fun you can have in all but a sliver of water. Best practiced at low tide.

Diving

It is possible to dive in the water off Hayling but you will need to be suitably qualified and possess your own equipment as there are no schools or centres found here.

Snorkelling

If you fancy combining some wild swimming with underwater exploration then get yourself a snorkel and mask and start exploring! Mainly seen through the summer months, snorkelling is more popular on those warmer days. A perfect family activity.

Outrigger canoeing

A traditional form of kayaking that has its roots found in Polynesian countries. Using a single bladed paddle you propel a narrow craft through the water with a bolted on stabiliser helping you keep upright.

Paddleboarding (prone)

A few devotees to paddle boarding reside on the island. A long and thick scaled up surfboard is moved through the water by lying in a prone position and paddling with your arms. This also has its roots in Polynesian cultures.

Whatever type of water based activity takes your fancy, you will be more than catered for if you choose to do your sport on Hayling Island.

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There are plenty of watersports enthusiasts who seek an H2O fix when their main discipline is not happening .

Surfers need waves and windsurfers need wind. These two groups are some of the people that look to other options to get their fix when normal conditions aren’t happening.

Plenty of people who choose to waterski or wakeboard as their main focus.

Whatever your reasons for wakeboarding and waterskiing, Hayling Island is a good location to practice both.

Waterskiing and it’s more recent sister sport wakeboarding are normally associated with the flat water conditions found on inland water venues; yet Hayling Island offers surprisingly good conditions for those in the know to enjoy these exhilarating sports.

As Hayling is a coastal location, it receives a multitude of mixed weather conditions and water states. Breezy days and choppy seas are common, with totally flat calm days a rarity.

Glassy flat conditions tend to occur off the sea front through the main summer months and early in the morning. Many local skiers and wakeboarders tend to do their riding at this time.

To score good wakeboarding and waterskiing conditions you need to be savvy with the prevailing weather conditions and have an understanding of when it looks good to go for a session.

Even with the difficulties associated with needing perfectly flat water there are still enthusiasts who manage to get out on their skis or boards regularly. In fact, the demand was so great that a dedicated waterski area was designated in the Langstone Harbour area.

An easy launch for your ski boat is located next to the Hayling Ferry at the western end of the island, before a short hop into the harbour brings you to the spot where you can ski or board.

Portsmouth University have a dedicated club and are the most frequent users of the ski area. You would be unlucky to find the place crowded though, as most Uni riding occurs in the week when everyone else is at work.

The challenge to getting a decent session is knowing the weather and tides. Too low water and there won’t be enough room to get your boat in, too windy and it becomes too choppy for comfortable riding.

The ideal thing about Langstone Harbour is that at certain times during the tidal cycle you will get slightly raised mud flats that create channels blocking chop. Within these channels you will find mirror flat water and it is at these times that waterskiing is a joy.

Waterskiing & Wakeboarding Key facts

• Understand tides and weather forecast and know the tide times
• The designated waterski area is located in Langstone Harbour which is at the western end of Hayling
• Be mindful of shipping traffic and local wildlife.

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West Beachlands continues to be the most popular launch option – due in part to waves that rumble across the sand bar at the mouth of Langstone Harbour (at certain times of year). When swells disappear the sand bank provides a shallow and flat low tide sailing area – during summer months this can resemble windsurfing locations of much warmer climes. It’s a very different story during winter…

‘Esso Beach’, as it’s commonly referred to by windsurfers, is located next to the oyster beds on the island’s Langstone Harbour flank. Look for the Esso petrol station (hence the nickname) and it’s directly behind. A high tide spot Esso Beach is mellower than sailing off the seafront as a shingle bank blocks the majority of chop making the water flatter. A haven for beginners, intermediates and freestylers Esso Beach can get quite busy – especially during windy summer weekends. Parking can therefore be found across the road – although courtesy should be extended to residents. Crossing the busy main road (with kit) shouldn’t be undertaken without care.

Members of Hayling Island Sailing Club have access to Chichester Harbour windsurfing and Northney Marina slipway still attracts a few sailors for high tide sessions.

Back on the seafront and windsurfing to the left of the Inn On The Beach should be avoided as this is a designated swimming area – marked by a line of yellow buoys. Kitesurfers launch from the beach in front of Hayling Island Golf Club and due care should be given when riders are blasting back and forth. Knowing rules of the road is important but in all cases simply stay out of harm’s way and harmony will remain.

The biggest factor to be aware of when windsurfing on Hayling – in fact, when practicing any form of water sport – is tide. Tide dictates how big shore break will be and how choppy open water sea states are. Those not confident in their abilities should avoid higher waters and seek shelter in the harbours. Experienced riders will no doubt relish full on conditions when gales swing in, however.

Windsurfing Key facts

• Launching from West Beachlands is free – car park charges (March-October) being the only mandatory fee
• Kitesurfers utilise the beach in front of Hayling Island Golf Club – care and courtesy should be taken/given to other water users
• Avoid the swimming area to the right of the Inn On The Beach
• Understand and have up to date info on tides – if you’re unsure then speak to one of the locals about launching
• Esso Beach, located next to the Oyster Beds (in Langstone Harbour), is a good secondary windsurf launch spot at high tide – be aware of crowds in summer.
• Northney Marina slipway and Hayling Island Sailing Club are other options – although a launch fee or membership is required for the sailing club
• The local windsurf (and watersports) shop is Andy Biggs located in West Town – here you’ll find everything you need for getting afloat

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