Siblyback Lake has been a popular windsurfing destination since the early 1980's. It is a great place to learn as there is generally some wind, the water is flat and you can't get swept out to sea. It is also good for more experienced windsurfers to windsurf in stronger Northerly winds when all the south-coast beaches are off-shore.
Windsurfers at Siblyback in the early 1980's
Several windsurfers who trained at the lake have gone on to the
highest levels of the sport: Penny Wilson (formerly Penny Way)
finished 6th at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Louis Morris
2015 British Raceboard Champion, Joe Parrot and Josie Spencer who came 3rd at
the
Youth National Championships in September 2018 and is a rising star within the sport.
Apart from that, Siblyback is used by many recreational windsurfers who enjoy being out on the water, and whose families can watch from the shore, sit in the sun and get a cup of tea from the Cafe.
A teenager learning to windsurf summer 2018
Annual Members of the lake are able to windsurf under the "Buddy System" when the actual watersports centre isn't open (during the winter for example). Under this system two people have to be on the water at any time for obvious safety reasons.
Winter windsurfing using the Buddy System
Since 2019 no windsurfer hire or lessons have been available at Siblyback but you can still windsurf there if you have your own gear.
Local Windsurfer Stuart H. enjoying the lake in 2014
Local Windsurfer Francis T at Siblyback in 2018
Jim trying his new board 2014
Video of Raceboard champion Louis Morris at Siblyback Lake training with his Brother and Sister.
In 2024 the South West Lakes Trust (SWLT) decided to outsource control of the parking at Siblyback Lake to Smart Parking Limited. There is now an ANPR camera at the lake that reads your number plate and records the time you arrive and leave. The parking terms are displayed on signs and you must comply with them and buy a ticket or face a penalty of £100. It is a great shame that SWLT have taken this decision. A lot of people visit the countryside to get away from the stresses of everyday life and now they are faced with having to run the gauntlet of a parking management company, many of whom are regarded as quite nasty. Be prepared If you don't have the Ringo app and want to use it to pay, install it before you go there. When you arrive at the lake be sure to pay for your parking within ten minutes. This can be difficult using your phone as signal at Siblyback is limited on some networks. There is a free WiFi there but by the time you've signed in the ten minutes will be ti...
In 2012, at a reported cost of £300,000, a Full Cable Wakeboarding System was installed in the South-Eastern end of Siblyback Lake. It was unusual in that it was the only Clockwise system in the UK. It was publicised as having, "brand new changing facilities, onsite car parking and a fully equipped campsite". Prior to the installation, there was some opposition to the wakeboarding cable as existing windsurfers and sailors felt that it took up too much of the lake and would impact on their use. There were also concerns that the lake was too remote from centres of population and that in the summer when the water level dropped, the wakepark would become unusable. Some people also felt that the structure would be unsightly. South West Lakes Trust pressed ahead and the wakepark was installed with five 10m-high (32ft) lattice towers placed in the water with cables running between them. Wakeboarding at Siblyback Lake in 2016 An enthusiastic user who was sixtee...
South West Lakes Trust who manage Siblyback Lake, have taken the bizarre decision to close the Outdoor and Active Centre and the Campsite for the 2019 season. So during 2019 you WILL NOT be able to: Hire SUP, Kayaks, Windsurfers or Dinghies at the lake Have sailing, windsurfing or other lessons Launch your own craft (unless you have an Annual Membership and observe the rules of the Buddy System yet to be confirmed) Camp on the campsite Park your motorhome beside the lake There are going to be no staff in the watersports centre and the only staff on-site will be two wardens. The lake path, cafe, fishing and play area are still available as in previous years. Many accommodation providers have web pages with details about the watersports at Siblyback and it will take time for them to update their websites to take account of the closure.
