Wingfoiling is attracting more and more water sports enthusiasts, combining freedom with the thrill of flying above the water. To get started, it's essential to choose a suitable spot with favorable conditions: steady wind, calm water, and few people.
France, with its varied coastlines and numerous inland waterways, offers a multitude of ideal locations for learning wingfoiling safely. Here's a selection of the best spots to start wingfoiling with confidence.
La Baule - Loire-Atlantique
Located on the Atlantic coast, La Baule is a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts. The bay, over 9 kilometers long, offers an exceptional playground for beginners thanks to its relatively flat and calm water.
The wind is often moderate, blowing mainly in thermals during the summer, allowing beginners to practice without being caught out by strong gusts. In addition, the beach is wide and open, providing a comfortable space to prepare your equipment and train in peace.
The presence of several wingfoil schools also makes learning easier, with courses suitable for all levels.
The Arcachon Basin - Gironde
Arcachon Bay is a real gem for wingfoil beginners. This vast, semi-enclosed body of water is protected from the Atlantic swell, guaranteeing ideal conditions for a gentle learning curve.
The winds are steady but not too strong, with well-established thermals in summer. The water is also less choppy than in the open sea, allowing you to concentrate on handling the wing and foil without being disturbed by large waves.
Be careful, however, of the tides, which strongly influence the water level and the strength of the current. It is advisable to check with local schools to choose the right time slot for your trip.
Almanarre - Hyères (Var)
Almanarre is an iconic spot in the south of France, known for its exceptional wind conditions. Located on the Giens Peninsula, it benefits from the Mistral wind and thermal breezes that blow regularly throughout the year.
This spot is particularly interesting for beginners on days when the wind is moderate (10-20 knots), because the water remains relatively flat and the wind is well oriented for gentle learning.
In addition to its perfect conditions, the Hyères region has infrastructure dedicated to water sports, with several wingfoil schools offering introductory and advanced courses.
Gruissan - Aude
Located in the south of France, Gruissan is a renowned spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but it's also perfect for wingfoiling. Thanks to its relatively flat waters and consistent wind, beginners can progress quickly and learn safely.
The prevailing wind is the Tramontana, which often blows strongly. For beginners, it is best to choose days with more moderate conditions, between 10 and 20 knots.
One of the big advantages of Gruissan is the diversity of spots in the surrounding area: if the wind is too strong at sea, the inland waters of the nautical base offer milder conditions, ideal for learning.
Lake Serre-Ponçon - Hautes-Alpes
If you prefer to sail in fresh water, Lake Serre-Ponçon is a perfect alternative. This alpine lake benefits from regular thermal winds and a safe water area, ideal for beginners in wingfoiling without the constraints of waves or currents.
The setting is also exceptional: surrounded by mountains, this spot offers a peaceful environment and breathtaking landscapes.
Conditions are generally mild in the morning, perfect for beginners, before the wind picks up in the afternoon, allowing more experienced riders to have fun.
Wissant - Pas-de-Calais
For riders in northern France, Wissant is an excellent spot. Located between Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez, it offers an ideal setting for learning wingfoiling with well-established winds.
This spot is characterized by its long sandy beaches and constant wind. At low tide, the water is calmer, making it perfect for learning.
Be careful, however, on days with strong winds, which can make navigation more technical for beginners.
Saint-Malo - Brittany
Brittany is a must-see region for water sports, and Saint-Malo is one of the best places to start wingfoiling. With its vast beaches and steady winds, it offers ideal conditions for learning and progressing.
The bay of Saint-Malo is particularly interesting, as it allows you to find areas with less chop, making it easier to balance and handle the foil.
As with many Breton spots, it is important to keep an eye on the tides, which can influence sailing conditions.
The Thau Lagoon - Hérault
The Thau Lagoon is a true playground for water sports enthusiasts. This immense lagoon, located near Sète, is a perfect spot for beginners thanks to its shallow water and constant wind.
The wind is generally moderate, allowing riders to practice without difficulty. In addition, the absence of waves makes learning wingfoil much more accessible.
With several schools and nautical clubs on site, it is easy to take lessons to progress quickly.
How to choose your spot to start wingfoiling?
- A calm body of water : Less chop makes it easier to handle the wing and foil.
- A steady wind : Ideally between 10 and 20 knots, to avoid extreme conditions.
- A clear space : Fewer people means more safety for stress-free learning.
- Nearby schools : Good supervision allows you to progress more quickly and safely.
France is full of perfect spots to learn wingfoiling, whether at sea, in a lagoon, or on a lake. Each spot has its own unique characteristics, but all offer ideal conditions for a safe start.
Whether you're in Brittany, on the Atlantic coast, in the Mediterranean, or even in fresh water, there's bound to be a spot near you where you can embark on your wingfoil adventure.
So where are you going to do your first session?