Watersports in Bognor Regis and Felpham
Sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding and more
The Bognor Regis coastline offers reasonable conditions for a range of watersports, and the flat, shallow waters along the beach are particularly suitable for beginners and intermediate practitioners. The area does not have the reputation of West Wittering or Hayling Island for wind-based watersports, but it has its own advantages, including easy beach access, generally sheltered conditions and a less crowded water space.
Felpham Sailing Club is the main sailing organisation in the area, operating from the beach at Felpham. The club runs dinghy sailing from the shore, which means that members launch and recover their boats directly from the beach rather than from a marina or slipway. This gives the club a distinctive character and requires a particular kind of seamanship. The club runs training courses for adults and juniors, social sailing sessions and racing programmes. New members are welcome, and the club has a sociable atmosphere that extends well beyond the water.
Paddleboarding has become enormously popular along the south coast, and Bognor is no exception. Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, is accessible to virtually anyone with reasonable balance and a willingness to get wet. The calm waters close to shore along the Bognor frontage provide ideal conditions for beginners, and on a calm day the experience of gliding across flat water with views along the coast is genuinely beautiful. Boards can be hired locally, and introductory lessons are available for those who want guidance before heading out alone.
Kayaking and canoeing are also popular, with the coastline offering routes along the shore in either direction. Paddling westward from Bognor towards Pagham Harbour opens up the possibility of exploring the harbour entrance and the nature reserve shoreline, while heading east towards Middleton and Climping provides a different coastal perspective. Sea kayaking requires awareness of tides, wind and other marine traffic, and beginners should seek instruction before venturing out.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing are practised along the Bognor frontage, though the conditions are not as consistently good as at the more exposed beaches further along the coast. West Wittering and Hayling Island are the premier south coast venues for wind-based watersports, and serious windsurfers and kitesurfers from the Bognor area often travel to those locations when conditions are right. The Bognor beach works well enough on windier days, however, and the relative lack of crowds can be an advantage.
The Bognor Regis Yacht Club provides a focal point for the broader sailing community in the area, and the club hosts social events and activities that bring together people with an interest in the sea and maritime pursuits.
Safety on the water is important, and anyone undertaking watersports should be aware of the local conditions, including tides, currents, wind patterns and the position of any hazards. The RNLI provides safety guidance for coastal watersports, and their advice on wearing appropriate equipment, telling someone your plans and checking conditions before going out applies to every activity on the water.
The accessibility of watersports in the Bognor area is one of its underappreciated strengths. The flat beaches, the shallow entry to the water, the generally moderate conditions and the availability of instruction and equipment hire mean that anyone curious about getting on the water can do so without a major investment of time or money. The sea is right there, and the barrier to entry is lower than many people assume. For residents of Bognor, Aldwick and Felpham, the coast is not just a view. It is an invitation.