Windsurfing in Hyres, France
Strong winds in Santa Margherita made me check out the meteo on the internet. First I thought about Garda Lake, but a quick phonecall learned me that there are not surfclubs open this time of the year to rent the material.
Davide, also a windsurf enthusiast, tipped me Hyres in France. When I saw I good +25 knots of wind in the Golfe du Lion on the windmaps it didn't took long to rent a car and leave a few hours later. We stopped over to sleep in Antibes. Luckily the Tai restaurant was more successful than the hotel..
Hyres is a peninsula, with two beaches on the East and West side of the island. Peninsula's are great, you have one side to go wave surfing and the other side, downwind with flat water, great for slalom. I am more like the last. I love flat water and speed.
When we arrived saturday morning all the action was all on the wave side, after asking information on the beaches, we found a great surfshop "Welcome". Unfortunately the biggest size sail they had for rent was 5.7m, but they forwarded me to a club in the North West part, where they promised me also flat water. On spot I was advised to wait for the wind direction to turn more East the next morning. I am all exited. Patience..
Anyway back to the "Welcome" surfshop checking out material and prices to get my own gear. Second hand you can find a board for 200 - 400 euro, sails are in the range of 300 euro. I don't want to break my head anymore on the kiteboard vs. windsurf dilemma.. After having talked to some people, they are two different things with both advantages and disadvantages.
One thing is sure. To go windsurfing you need a big car, something I need to work for first.
[UPDATE] Sunday morning I was flying along the West beach, had some great rides, but need to work on my Spin Out problem.
Davide, also a windsurf enthusiast, tipped me Hyres in France. When I saw I good +25 knots of wind in the Golfe du Lion on the windmaps it didn't took long to rent a car and leave a few hours later. We stopped over to sleep in Antibes. Luckily the Tai restaurant was more successful than the hotel..
Hyres is a peninsula, with two beaches on the East and West side of the island. Peninsula's are great, you have one side to go wave surfing and the other side, downwind with flat water, great for slalom. I am more like the last. I love flat water and speed.
When we arrived saturday morning all the action was all on the wave side, after asking information on the beaches, we found a great surfshop "Welcome". Unfortunately the biggest size sail they had for rent was 5.7m, but they forwarded me to a club in the North West part, where they promised me also flat water. On spot I was advised to wait for the wind direction to turn more East the next morning. I am all exited. Patience..
Anyway back to the "Welcome" surfshop checking out material and prices to get my own gear. Second hand you can find a board for 200 - 400 euro, sails are in the range of 300 euro. I don't want to break my head anymore on the kiteboard vs. windsurf dilemma.. After having talked to some people, they are two different things with both advantages and disadvantages.
One thing is sure. To go windsurfing you need a big car, something I need to work for first.
[UPDATE] Sunday morning I was flying along the West beach, had some great rides, but need to work on my Spin Out problem.
