We’re incredibly proud to share that UK Windsurf Magazine recently featured Worthing Watersports in a full interview following our 2026 shop refurbishment.
The article, titled “Worthing Watersports Makeover: One Brand… Endless Passion”, dives into why we took on the challenge of running a specialist watersports store, what inspired the renovation, and what it really means to be a dedicated Duotone retailer on the south coast.
Rather than simply reposting the interview, we wanted to share the story in our own words — for our customers and local community who are part of this journey with us.
Why Worthing Watersports?
Worthing Watersports wasn’t part of some long-term master plan. It came from a simple realisation: life needed to change.
After co-managing a high-pressure business through Covid, it became clear that something had to give. At the same time, running South East Signage alongside gave me the confidence that I could build something independently.
The opportunity came up organically — a conversation with Nik Baker over a cup of tea — and suddenly the possibility of owning a watersports shop became real.
Looking back, there was definitely some naivety involved. Retail is hard. Niche retail is even harder. But that blinkered focus helped make it happen.
If you'd like to read more about my background, you can visit our About Us page here.
The 2026 Shop Refurbishment
From day one, I wanted the shop to reflect the level of equipment we sell and the service we pride ourselves on. Initially, budget and time meant small improvements only.
By winter 2025, it was clear the physical shop needed to match the performance of our website and the premium nature of Duotone equipment.
So we went for it — new floors, lighting, layout, showroom feel — the lot.
Huge thanks go to Glen (a local kitesurfer and builder) and my dad, David, who both gave up weeks of their time to help transform the space. The result is a proper showroom environment that showcases the quality of the gear and makes the shop a place we genuinely enjoy working in every day.
Why We’re a Duotone Specialist Store
One of the most common questions we get is why we focus solely on Duotone.
The answer is simple: depth over dilution.
Duotone covers windsurfing, kitesurfing, winging, foiling and paddleboarding. Keeping up to date with even one brand at a deep level is a full-time commitment.
Having been sponsored by Duotone and Boards & More for many years, and racing at a high level, there’s a long-standing relationship and genuine trust in the product.
By focusing on one manufacturer, we avoid conflicting advice or sales-driven comparisons. Every recommendation is based on real experience — not brochures.
Explore the latest 2026 Duotone Windsurfing range here.
Product Knowledge Comes First
Retail isn’t about pushing boxes out the door.
It’s about making sure customers end up on the right equipment for their ability, conditions and goals. Sometimes that means advising someone not to upgrade.
If someone buys the wrong kit, they won’t enjoy the sport — and they won’t stick with it.
That’s why testing matters so much.
We actively run demos and encourage people to try the latest Duotone equipment here before committing.
On the Water = Better Advice
If I stop sailing, both product knowledge and mental health suffer.
Living 100 metres from the sea helps. So does having a capable team — especially Dec — who gives me the confidence to get on the water when it’s firing.
Sessions don’t need to be long. An hour can be enough to understand how new equipment behaves in real conditions.
That real-world testing feeds directly back into customer advice, YouTube reviews and demo days.
Watch our latest product tests and reviews on our Worthing Watersports YouTube channel.
Product Trends We’re Seeing
The watersports industry moves quickly.
Few predicted how big winging would become. Foil assist and e-foiling are also growing rapidly, especially along the south coast where they open up previously unusable conditions.
Versatility and accessibility are shaping the future — equipment that works in more conditions and allows more people to get involved.
Check our live local conditions anytime via our live weather page.
Local Conditions, Local Knowledge
The south coast is often underestimated.
Here in West Sussex, the South Downs create thermal effects that regularly push winds 5–10 knots above forecast. Combined with reliable beach angles and usable tidal windows, there’s nearly always somewhere sail-able.
That’s why boards like the Duotone Grip 3 and Ultra Freewave work so well locally — they’re tuned to onshore conditions, current and UK wave types.
Why This Feature Meant So Much
Being featured by UK Windsurf Magazine was a real moment for us.
It highlighted not just the shop refurbishment, but the philosophy behind Worthing Watersports: genuine passion, product knowledge, and community over hard selling.
You can read the full original interview on the UK Windsurf website here:
Read the full article on UK Windsurf →
Visit Us
If you’re local, come and see the new showroom in person.
If you’re not, explore the full range online — or give us a call on 01903 247742 for honest, experience-based advice.
Worthing Watersports – The UK’s Duotone specialist store.