Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- france [2024/02/14 19:19]
preavley
+++ france [2026/05/10 12:45] (current)
pstureavley
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 <WRAP indent>
-===== North & Northwest (Atlantic, English Channel, North Sea) =====
+----
-<WRAP indent>
+===== European =====
 ----
-==== Bretagne (Brittany) ====
 <WRAP indent>
-=== Downwinders (Sous le vent)/Paddles ===
+<WRAP col3>
-  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlL8-9Xzsm4|Amour, mer et surf ski]]
+==== North & Northwest (Coastal - Atlantic, English Channel, North Sea) ====
-  * **Brest **  (get local knowledge about the port and naval base traffic to watch for) Rade de Brest is the Bay that the Port of Brest faces
-      * **Le Conquet - Brest**  approx. 25 km
-      * **Le Fret - Landévennec **20 km [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/le-fret-run|Downwindfun]]
-      * **Freight Port of Brest - Landévennec**  18 km
-        * **Best wind direction**: West
-        * **Season**: All year round with at least 15 knots of wind
-      * **Ile Longue - Tinduff**  approx 10 km [[https://youtu.be/vJkamAkQsGU|video]] (started upwind before turning onto this course for downwind)
-      * **Port de l'Auberlac'h**
-        * **Port de l'Auberlac'h - Ile de Tibidy **17 km [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xTS0SvecCw|video]], [[https://youtu.be/AX708dwu_qI|video]]
-        * **Port de ****l'Auberlac'h -**** Lanvoy **18 km [[https://youtu.be/n-Xaib6IkDU|video]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/lauberlac-h-lanvoy-downwind|Downwindfun]]
-      * **Port de Porzmeur (Plougastel Daoulas****)**
-        * **Port de Porzmeur - Ile de Tibidy **16.5 km [[https://youtu.be/nLJICmqWK3E|video]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/porzmeur-tibidy-downwind|Downwindfun]]
-        * **Port de Porzmeur ****- Le Passage **10 km [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/brest-porzmeur-le-passage-downwind|Downwindfun]]
-        * **Port de Porzmeur****
- - la bouée du Renard - Moulin Blanc **15 km (paddle west to buoy then turn east to get more downwind) [[https://youtu.be/D6-Y1rqIk1o|video]]
-      * **Port de Tinduff - Brest **approx.15 km
-      * **Moulin Blanc**
-        * **Île Ronde - ****Moulin Blanc **8-9 km [[https://youtu.be/7Sj5umj-0i4|video]]
-        * **Rade de Brest Run **  (**Brest Bay Maison Blanche - Moulin Blanc**) 10 km, [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/rade-de-brest-downwind|Downwindfun]][[https://youtu.be/0Qr7QmafLgA|video]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDGXxQqr2rw|video2]]
-        * **Radiliko Run - Roscanvel - ****Moulin Blanc**  11 km "The further you go into the middle of the channel, the more ‘engaged’ the paddling is! If you are in the mood for something calmer you can keep to the channel’s side, and you will still be able to connect to the bumps." (crosses Brest Bay) [[https://downwindable.com/radiliko-run|Downwindable.com]], [[https://paddlerezine.com/finistere/|Helen Trehoret Description]]
-      * **Trez Hir - Moulin Blanc **23 km [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/trez-hir-downwind|Downwindfun]]
-  * **Concarneau **- [[https://youtu.be/fwfKyzO_8aM|downwind video]] Valentin Henot (no sound after 4:05)
-  * **Guisseny**
-      * **"Skooliko" Out and Back Laps **3 km excellent place to practice - NW swell coming from the Atlantic - with lots of beach to bail out on [[https://downwindable.com/guissenyd292c35a|Downwindable.com]], [[https://paddlerezine.com/finistere/|Helen Trehoret Description]], [[https://youtu.be/-PGnQPA0H-w|video]]
-      * **Port de Curnic ** [[https://youtu.be/XNJQ0om8Ko0|video]] (surfing? or just out and back downwind laps?)
-  * **Kerfanny Beach (Plage de Kerfanny) - Plage de Kerrou **  (**Le Roux's Downwind**) 12.4 km [[https://downwindable.com/le-rouxs-downwind|Downwindable.com]]
-  * **La Rance River**
-      * **La Richardais - Mordreuc **12.5 km [[https://youtu.be/cDzZvZg6yh8|video]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/la-rance-downwind|Downwindfun]]
-  * **Ploudalmézeau - **various windy beaches
-      * **Plage des Trois Moutons - Kerouartz **16 km
-      * [[https://youtu.be/400CZwVSJyQ|Portsall video]]
-      * ….
-<WRAP centeralign>
-----
-Saturday afternoon at the Seashore - Ploudalmézeau
-{{youtube>FC1ZwRoqbL0}}
-----
-</WRAP>
-  * **Plougurneau**
-      * **Aberliko Run -**  (tidal river) **Port Perros - Pont de Diable**  (Only works on mid and high tide. Low tide and low spring tides there are oyster cages exposed.) [[https://downwindable.com/aberliko|Downwindable.com]], [[https://paddlerezine.com/finistere/|Helen Trehoret Description]]
-  * **Quiberon **- site of 2019 Surfski World Championships
-      * **Port-Louis - Plage Chateau Rouge **  ~23 km
-        * Or **Boulevard de l'Ocean, Gavre - Plage Penthievre** [[https://downwindable.com/quiberon-run|Downwindable.com]]
-      * **Penthievre - Locmariaquer**  ~15 km
-      * **Quiberon - Kerhilio **  ~21 km
-=== Coaches/Clubs/Lessons ===
-  * [[https://barrachousup.com/|Barrachou Paddle]] 4 Rue de Lesneven, 29880 Guissény
-  * [[https://canoekayakclubbrestois.fr/|Canoe Kayak Club Brestois]]
-  * [[http://finisteresurfskifestival.fr/|Finistere Surfski Festival]] for beginners to intermediate
-  * [[https://surfskiandco.com/|Surfski & Co.]] demos, lessons
-  * [[https://www.cercle-nautique-etel.fr/kayak/surfski-center/|Surfski Center Etel]] Etel, Morbihan
-=== Dealers/Equipment ===
-  * [[https://www.bekayak.com/|BeKayak]] Brest, Surfskis - Nordic Kayak, Nelo & accessories, Nalu OC
-  * [[https://barrachousup.com/|Barrachou Paddle]] 4 Rue de Lesneven, 29880 Guissény
-  * [[https://www.facebook.com/idoinediffusion/|Idoine Kayak]] - Epic, Vajda Surfskis, Rue du Blavet, 56650 Inzinzac Lochrist
-</WRAP>
-----
-==== Haut-de-France (Heights of France) ====
 <WRAP indent>
-=== Downwinders ===
-  * **Bray-Dunes, France - Nieuwpoort, Belgium **16+ km
-  * ….
 ----
-<WRAP centeralign>
+See [[:france_north_n_northwest_shores|North Shores of France]] (Bretagne, Haut-de-France, Loire-Atlantique, Normandie, Nouvelle-Aquitane)
-Bray-Dunes - Nieuwpoort (This video shows a skilled sea kayaker paddling a sea kayak with a hull shape similar to surfskis - built better for downwind surfing. The conditions and shore break are not for beginner surfskiers, but a skilled surfskier with good preparation and safety support would love such a downwinder)
-{{youtube>PmCuRi1N9Kc}}
-----
 </WRAP>
-----
+==== South (Coastal - Mediterranean Sea) ====
-  * **Mers les Bains Run [****Mers les Bains - Cayeux sur Mer]**  16 km [[https://downwindable.com/mers-les-bains-run-hauts-de-france|Downwindable.com]]
-  * **Plage de Stella - Plage d'Hardelot **20 km[[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/la-cote-d-opale-downwind|Downwindfun]]
-=== Resources ===
-  * [[https://www.facebook.com/G.S.Mers|Glisse Sensations Mers (Facebook)]]
-  * [[https://www.facebook.com/CKMVBP/|Kayak club Baie de Phoques]] (Seal Bay)
-</WRAP>
-----
-==== Loire-Atlantique ====
 <WRAP indent>
-**Clubs/Groups**
-  * [[https://www.ckpca.fr/|Le Canoë Kayak Presqu'île Côte d'Amour]]
-**Dealers/Equipment**
-  * [[https://labaule.direct-sailing.com/Kayaks/Surfski/Surfskis/liste.html|Direct Sailing]] Nordic Kayak Surfskis
-  * …
-</WRAP>
 ----
-==== Normandie (Normandy) ====
+See [[:france_south_shores|France South Shores]] (Occitanie,Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur)
-<WRAP indent>
-=== Downwinders ===
-  * **Cherbourg-en-Cotentin**
-      * **Le Perrey - Le Becquet **approx. 7-8 km
-        * (equivalent) **Plage de Collignon - Port de Fermanville ** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t71IFME9DlA|video]]
-      * **Querqueville**  - **l'Anse du Brick **approx. 14.5 km [[https://youtu.be/9snhN9RsBb8|video]]
-      * **Plage d'Urville - Plage de Collignon**  ~12-13 km (ship traffic from harbor?)
-  * See also [[:jerseychannelislands|]]. While not part of France they are quite close to the Cotentin Peninsula and share many of the favorable characteristics for downwinders, surf, and tide races.
-=== Tidal Races ===
-<WRAP indent>
-[[:tidalrace:tidal_races#safety_-_learning_tidal_races|About Safety]]
-  * Raz Blanchard (Alderney Race)
 </WRAP>
-=== Dealers/Equipment ===
+.
-  * [[https://www.canoe-shop.com/267-kayak-fitness|Canoe Shop]] Dives-sur-Mer
+.
-=== Resources ===
+==== Fresh Water Paddling (Inland) ====
-  * [[https://www.cotentinkayak.fr/|Kayak Club Cotentin ]] Cherbourg
-  * [[https://www.besport.com/group/918372|Kayak le Havre Ocean]]
-  * [[https://youtu.be/j7Y1H408CkM|Surfski in Normandie Video]]
-</WRAP>
-----
-==== Nouvelle-Aquitane (New Aquitaine) ====
 <WRAP indent>
-=== Resources ===
-  * **(Basque region) Biarritz**
-      * **Coastal Lifesaving (Sauvetage Cotier) - ** [[https://www.biarritz-sauvetage-cotier.com/en/ocean-paddle-racing/|Ocean Racing]]
-  * **Ile d'Oleron (**Oleron Island) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVHU2mLZIAQ|vacation, paddle, surfing video]]
-**Downwinders**
-  * **Anglet**
-      * **Adour River **
-        * **Safety **
-          * Does shifting sandbar at river mouth affect paddling/safety?
-          * Port traffic
-        * **River Mouth Waves (How much current is tidal vs. river flow?)**
-          * [[https://youtu.be/Z840XoCnRrk?t=25|OC downwinding in river mouth video]]
-          * [[https://youtu.be/BLzsELkqxWQ|Surfski video]]
-        * [[https://www.french-waterways.com/waterways/south-west/river-adour/|Navigation]]
-      * **Socoa - Anglet**  ~13 km [[https://youtu.be/PY0SxdUqn9s|video]]
-  * **Bay of Txngudi (Chingoudy) **
-      * **Hondarribia (Spain) or Hendaye- Fort de Socoa**  10 km [[https://youtu.be/ocsv4gq_0ok|video]]
-      * **Hondarribia (Spain) or Hendaye - Géthary **16 km [[https://youtu.be/CiajMac8mWo|video]]
-  * …
 ----
-<WRAP centeralign>
+See [[:france_fresh_water|France Fresh Water]]
-{{youtube>fghZlIY2dyk|Downwinding near Biarritz}}{{youtube>WPXtM82YoZE|Pays Basque}}
 </WRAP>
-----
+.
-**Surf**
+.
-  * **Bay of Txngudi (Chingoudy) ** [[https://youtu.be/iJrWUWerEUs|video]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfwC5XQRswo|video2]] border of France/Spain at the mouth of Bidasoa river
+</WRAP></WRAP>
-  * …
 ----
-**Dealers**
+===== Overseas =====
-  * [[https://outriggerzone-europe.com/|Ozone Europe]] Guéthary, France, OCs, Kai Wa'a Surfskis
-  * [[https://www.woo-outrigger.com/en|Woo Outriggers]]
-  * …
-</WRAP></WRAP>
 ----
-===== South (Mediterranean Sea) =====
 <WRAP indent>
-----
+==== Caribbean ====
-==== Occitanie (Occitany or Occitania) ====
+  * [[:guadeloupe|Guadeloupe]], [[:martinique|Martinique]], [[:saint_martin_sint_maarten|Saint-Martin]]
-<WRAP indent>
+==== Indian Ocean ====
-=== Downwinders ===
+  * [[:reunion_island|Réunion Island]]
-  * **Canet-en-Roussillon - Angelès-sur-Mer **19 km [[https://youtu.be/c19HnHuKjVE|video]]
+==== Pacific Ocean ====
-  * **La Côte Radieuse - Le Cap Béar **14 km [[https://youtu.be/iN82RnKVQok|SUP video]]
-  * **Collioure**
-  * **Montpellier**
-      * **Palavas-les-Flots**
-        * **Frontignan - Palavas-les-Flots **18 km [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/frontignan-palavas-downwind|Downwindfun]]
-        * **Palavas - Le Grau-du-Roi **16-17 km [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/palavas-les-flots-downwind|Downwindfun]], [[https://youtu.be/xgem32poUmE|video]], [[https://youtu.be/nOD7vuBipeU?t=210|more video]]
-        * [[https://youtu.be/CoqjQ5Fcq8w?t=75|Catching waves close to shore video]], [[https://youtu.be/0NOgyNF_Es0?t=7|Downwinding video]]
-        * [[http://www.palavaskayakdemer.com/|Palavas Kayak Club]] (and surfskis)
-      * **Espiguette - Carnon **11 km [[https://youtu.be/8E5hy7RAofM|video]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/carnon-run|Downwindfun]]
-      * **Frontignan - Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (Flamingo Run) **50 km [[https://youtu.be/MiHBqmibahI|foil video]]
-      * **Port Camargue - La Grande-Motte **5-6 km
-  * **Port Vendres - Saint Cyprien **12 km [[https://youtu.be/A7m_6_ueF8k|video]]
-=== Surf ===
-  * **Palavas ** [[https://youtu.be/eb2XEn3buaw|vid1]]**,** [[https://youtu.be/2pmhMyM0Tds|vid2]]
+  * **French Polynesia ** [[:borabora|Bora Bora]], [[:mo_orea|Mo'orea]], [[:raiatea|Raiatea]], [[:tahiti|Tahiti]]
+  * [[:new_caledonia|New Caledonia]]
   * …
-----
-<WRAP centeralign>
-{{youtube>0dsdXnKeU5M?start=35}}
-Downwinding at Le Grau-du-Roi
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 294: / Line 104: @@
 ----
-==== Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur ====
-<WRAP indent>
-(Côte d'Azur is the French Riviera)
-=== Locales ===
-  * **Hyères - Oursinières 10 km ** [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/hyeres-downwind|Downwindfun]]
-  * **Marseilles**
-      * **Downwind**
-        * (Marseilles harbor gets downwindable swell for laps)
-        * **Étang de Berre Run **17 - 19 km  [[https://downwindable.com/etang-de-berre-run|Downwindable.com]], [[https://vimeo.com/203010425|Smoking SUP downwind video]]
-          * **Best wind direction**: Wind from the North, from full North to North-West, (very rare North-East) \\ **Best season**: From April / May to September / October. July / August: perfect to try it out for the first time. Be careful in the winter months with the strong winds of the Mistral because the water is very cold, between 5 and 7 °C. And this run gets far from land, working with a wind that is more off shore the more northerly the wind is.
-          * **Put-in: **  St Chamas 19.3 km paddle, Istres (Pointe Monteau) 17.5 km paddle
-          * **Take-out: **Jaï beach, Côté la Mède
-        * **La Ciotat**
-          * **La Ciotat - Six-Fours-les-Plages (Six-Fours Run)**  18 km  [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/la-ciotat-downwind|Downwindfun]], [[https://downwindable.com/la-ciotat---six-fours-run|Downwindable.com]], [[https://youtu.be/FP4MKzIUF7M|Surfski vid]], [[https://vimeo.com/120868379|SUP cranking downwind]], [[https://youtu.be/psj4tmBJTrQ?t=46|Another cranking SUP video]]
-            * **Bandol - Six-Fours-les-Plages (one of the beaches there)**  7 km
-          * **La Ciotat - St Cyr **6 km
-          * **Marseille - La Ciotat **approx. 35 km
-          * **La Ciotat - Corsica**  approx 300 km [[https://youtu.be/UZdjg9WKei0|2019 SUP attempt]]
-      * **Surf**
-        * **Épluchures Beach & Pointe Rouge **- crowds and parking can be a challenge
-      * **Clubs**
-        * [[http://www.cnprs.fr/|Club Nautique Provençal]]
-      * **Dealers/Equipment**
-        * **** [[https://www.kayak-attitude.fr/kayaks/kayak-surf-ski/surf-ski/|Kayak Attitude]]
-  * **Toulon**
-      * **Tour Royale - l'Almanarre **18 km [[https://downwindable.com/tpur-royal-to-almanarre-run|Downwindable.com]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/tour-royale-run|Downwindfun]]
-      * **Fort Sainte Louis - ****l'Almanarre **16 km [[https://youtu.be/r180ZmjBHh0?t=5|video]]
-      * **Garonne - Saint Mandrier **6 km [[https://youtu.be/S7bdchhJXR4?t=239|round trip video]]
-      * [[https://youtu.be/Uu8QofE6lEk|OC downwind camp video]]
-</WRAP></WRAP>
-----
-</WRAP>
 ===== Tidal Races =====
@@ Line 344: / Line 114: @@
   * **Raz-de-Sein** [[https://youtu.be/mIqzNAoYxiw|sea kayak video]]
 </WRAP>
-----
-===== Tidal Bores =====
-(Le Mascaret = tidal bore)
-  * Gironde Estuary - also sometimes referred to as "La Gironde" river is formed from the meeting of the Garonne and the Dordogne
-<WRAP centeralign>
-----
-OC and surfers on La Gironde Mascaret
-{{youtube>qtO8G3JQULw}}
-----
-</WRAP>
-  * [[https://www.purefrance.com/en/blog/le-mascaret-natural-spectacular-phenomenen|Pure France: Tidal Bores]]
-  * Garonne River [[https://youtu.be/9bQSxaF5KmA?t=188|2020 video]]
-  * Dordogne River [[https://youtu.be/7aprvgeLqwQ?t=135|2020 video]]
-  * Seine River (tidal bore disappeared in the 1960s due to dredging and other changes made to the river)
-  * ….
-----
-===== Flatwater =====
 ----
@@ Line 379: / Line 119: @@
 ===== Videos =====
-  * [[:france_videos|French Surfski Videos]]
+  * [[:france_videos|French Downwind & Paddling Videos]]
   * …
@@ Line 410: / Line 150: @@
 ===== Clubs and Groups =====
+(in Europe, "canoe" generally includes canoes and kayaks)
+canoë, pirogue, kayak
+  * [[https://www.google.com/maps/search/canoe+clubs+france/@47.6896256,-1.9665527,1088769m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==|Google Search for Canoe Clubs in France]] (if you zoom in on the map then click on "Search this area" you will discover more clubs than the higher altitude view shows)
   * [[https://www.ffck.org/|La Fédération Française de Canoë-Kayak]]
   * [[https://kayak-iledefrance.fr/carte/|Ile de France Club Lookup]]
-  * [[https://www.facebook.com/Hyeresmanavaa/|Manu Ura Canoe Club]] (facebook)
+  * [[https://www.facebook.com/Hyeresmanavaa/|Manu Ura Canoe Club]] (facebook) polynesian style outrigger canoe - "va'a"
   * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK0lBShKqX8|Reims Canoe Club visiting South Africa]]
   * [[https://www.facebook.com/toulon.vaa/|Toulon Va'a]] (facebook)
@@ Line 436: / Line 181: @@
 ===== Dealers/Equipment =====
-(There are also local dealers listed above under paddling locales)
+(There are also local dealers listed on the paddling locales pages [[:france#locales|linked to above]])
   *  [[https://www.fenn.fr/|Fenn France]]
@@ Line 443: / Line 188: @@
   * [[https://outriggerzone-europe.com/|Ozone Europe]] Guéthary, France, OCs, Kai Wa'a Surfskis
   * [[http://www.reglisse-kayak.com/fr.html|Reglisse Kayak Shop]]
+  * [[:used_boats_equipment#france|Used Equipment]]
+  * [[https://www.woo-outrigger.com/|Woo Outriggers]]
   * …
@@ Line 455: / Line 202: @@
   * [[https://youtu.be/tUMCbenMMv4|Dougal Glaisher's surfski trip around France]]
   * [[https://www.french-waterways.com/|French Waterways]]
+  * …
+----
+===== Wildlife =====
+(we know, just a drop in the bucket, but sometimes we may be able to include something to watch out for either to avoid or enjoy)
+  * [[:wild_life#france|Sea Creatures near France]]
   * …

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