In 1983, during the general meeting that marked the birth of the Wing Riders SA club, it was proposed and accepted that the Association would host an annual rally, to be known as the Wing Fling, with each province taking turns to organise and host the event. On the return trip to the Reef (Johannesburg/Pretoria area, now Gauteng), founder member Johan Hattingh and his companions stopped in Christiana, where the foundations were laid for the very first Wing Fling, scheduled for 1985.
In October 1985, 64 Gold Wings arrived at the inaugural Wing Fling, held at the Rob Ferreira Resort near Christiana. The following year, 1986, the Wing Fling returned to the same venue.
In 1987, the Western Cape Chapter proposed hosting the Wing Fling in Cape Town. To make the long journey worthwhile for members from the Reef, Natal, East London, Port Elizabeth, and the Free State, a week-long programme of activities was arranged and presented at the Annual General Meeting. The proposal was accepted, and the 1987 Wing Fling was held at the Ritz Plaza Hotel, Sea Point, Cape Town, where 75 Gold Wings attended.
Since then, the Wing Fling has continued as a week-long celebration, becoming one of the most treasured traditions of Wing Riders SA.
Over the years, the Wing Fling grew steadily in size and spirit. Each year brought a new town, a new venue, and fresh memories: long convoys of Gold Wings gliding through the countryside, evenings filled with laughter around campfires, spirited competitions, and friendships forged that would last a lifetime. From coastal towns to bushveld retreats, the Wing Fling became a celebration not only of motorcycling, but of family, camaraderie, and the freedom of the road.
The event also carried its own evolving traditions – rides through scenic routes, bike shows where Wings gleamed in the sun, the famous singing of the Wing Song, and the closing gala dinners where members reflected on another year together.
For photos of Wing Flings during years gone by …
2013 Wing Fling in the news on IOL:
SA Wing Riders glam up for 29th rally
Listed below are the Wing Flings to date:
| 1 | 1985 | Rob Ferreira Resort, Christiana |
| 2 | 1986 | Rob Ferreira Resort, Christiana |
| 3 | 1987 | Ritz Plaza, Sea Point, Cape Town |
| 4 | 1988 | Numbi Hotel, Hazyview |
| 5 | 1989 | Willem Pretorius Reserve, Free State |
| 6 | 1990 | Karridene Hotel, South Coast, KZN |
| 7 | 1991 | Rob Ferreira Resort, Christiana |
| 8 | 1992 | Brenton-on-Lake, Knysna |
| 9 | 1993 | Graskop, Mpumalanga |
| 10 | 1994 | Virginia, Free State |
| 11 | 1995 | Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 12 | 1996 | Tulbach, Western Cape |
| 13 | 1997 | Hazyview, Mpumalanga |
| 14 | 1998 | Bloemfontein, Free State |
| 15 | 1999 | Rustenburg, North-West Province |
| 16 | 2000 | Golden Gate, Free State |
| 17 | 2001 | Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 18 | 2002 | Cape Rendezvous, Cape Town |
| 19 | 2003 | Naboomspruit, Limpopo Valley |
| 20 | 2004 | Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 21 | 2005 | Krugersdorp, Gauteng |
| 22 | 2006 | Knysna, Western Cape |
| 23 | 2007 | Harrismith, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 24 | 2008 | Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 25 | 2009 | Witrivier, Mpumalanga |
| 26 | 2010 | Sedgefield, Western Cape |
| 27 | 2011 | Bethlehem, Free State |
| 28 | 2012 | Rustenburg, North-West Province |
| 29 | 2013 | Stellenbosch, Western Cape |
| 30 | 2014 | Port Alfred, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 31 | 2015 | Magoebaskloof, Tzaneen, Mpumalanga |
| 32 | 2016 | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape |
| 33 | 2017 | Bethlehem, Free State |
| 34 | 2018 | Caledon, Western Cape |
| 35 | 2019 | Hazyview, Mpumalanga |
| — | 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 36 | 2021 | Knysna, Western Cape |
| 37 | 2022 | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 38 | 2023 | Polokwane, Limpopo Province |
| 39 | 2024 | Gariep Dam Resort, Free State |
| 40 | 2025 | Hazyview, Mpumalanga |
