12 years ago I visited Almanarre / Hyeres and windsurfed and windsurfed on the east side of the peninsula on an onshore east wind day. On an east wind the offshore glassy water on the west side looks great but also a bit scary when you are alone.
 |
| Post session smile! |
Jen and I had had a good time taking our niece and nephews Hobie sailing earlier that morning in Sanary-Sur-mer. (It was a the same place I taught the kids to windsurf 2 days ago.) So I was alone in the surprisingly nice Corolla hybrid station wagon rental.
 |
| Morning sailing session with niece and nephews |
My first stop was at the windward beach where a few small rental operations were out on the water. There was also huge sailboat regatta offshore! A local recommended the UCPA just a bit farther along the peninsula. I went there but they were closed for the holidays - one of the staff pointed me to the nearby Fanatic store which gives lessons and rentals. Talking to the gentleman there, the don’t rent wing foil gear because it all comes back damaged. I suggested that I’m a pretty good rider but he put me onto the phone number of another shop who might do rentals.
 |
| There was a huge sailing regatta on the east side |
 |
| The Duotone rental centre that wouldn’t rent wingfoil gear |
I chatted with Joe from MF Kite and he was helpful but said it was too late for a 3.5 hour rental and lesson. No, I just want a one hour rental. What gear? A 6.0 and 110l board. Yes. I’m on my way. 7 minutes later I was presenting my drivers license and collecting gear. Do I launch through all the boats in the marina. No, just take the gear to to beach in your car. I’m good with a shorty in the 22c air and 20c water. No we only rent long wetsuits at this time of year. What about the offshore wind? Don’t worry, no one ever gets lost, there are lots of kite operators who might help. Any rocks? Nope just gradual sand!
Ok then, I was happy I had a station wagon (still had to take the mast off the board) and quickly loaded up and headed to the west side beach I’ve admired but never launched from. I reassembled the board, pumped up my wing and hid my keys.
 |
| A nice long first part of my session 100% on the foil with 5 jibes |
 |
| The wind would eventually drop on me |
Off I went. A few quick pumps and I was going. I actually did several runs and many jibes and didn’t fall in for 15+ minutes. It was easy to stay upwind and fun to be out with around 2 dozen other wingers, a dozen kiters, a dozen windfoilers and a dozen windsurfers. So 40% wing, 20% kites, 20% windfoilers and 20% windsurfers.
 |
| Good rental gear |
After a few more runs the wind dropped big time. Kites were falling, wingers were slogging and only a few kite foilers and pro windfoilers with 8m sails were going. I slogged upwind practicing some wing handling and enjoying the warm water and nice sunset.
 |
| Yup, we are in France! |
 |
| Sunset in Almanarre and the end of our trip |
I went back to MF Kite and returned the gear. I had a huge smile on my face on the drive back to Jen’s parents’ rental. We head to Toronto in 36 hours but my first wing foil in France hopefully won’t be my last!
No comments:
Post a Comment