====== North and Northwest Shorelines (France) ======
(Bretagne, Haut-de-France, Loire-Atlantique, Normandie, Nouvelle-Aquitane)
.
{{youtube>vlL8-9Xzsm4?large}}
**Amour, mer et surf ski**
[[:france|Main France Page]]
----
===== Atlantic, English Channel, North Sea Shorelines =====
----
==== Bretagne (Brittany) ====
=== Downwinders (Sous le vent)/Paddles ===
* **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
* **Land****é****vennec**
* **Lanv****é****oc - Land****é****vennec** 14.5 km [[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3s27tw|video]]
* **Le Fret - Landévennec **20 km [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/le-fret-run|Downwindfun]]
* **Freight Port of Brest - Landévennec** 20+ km
* **Best wind direction**: West, WNW
* **Season**: All year round with at least 15 knots of wind
* **Safety **watch the shipping lanes you cross
* **Ile Longue - Tinduff** approx 10 km [[https://youtu.be/vJkamAkQsGU|video]] (started upwind before turning onto this course for downwind)
* **La Pointe de l'Armoriale (****Armorique?) à l'ile Tibidy **17 km [[https://youtu.be/UZ5mDaiSwso|video]]
* **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]]
* **Odet River Estuary ** [[https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAxjreQsGU3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==|video]] (instagram)
* **Ploudalmézeau - **various windy beaches
* **Plage des Trois Moutons - Kerouartz **16 km
* **Plage Ganoac - Portsall ** ~10 km [[https://surfski.wiki/movies_cached/dwportsall|video]]
* [[https://youtu.be/400CZwVSJyQ|Portsall video]]
* ….
----
Saturday afternoon at the Seashore - Ploudalmézeau
{{youtube>FC1ZwRoqbL0?large}}
----
* **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 k**m**
* **Treompan ** [[https://youtu.be/ljPI0_ciNIk?t=65|video]]
=== Coaches/Clubs/Lessons ===
* [[https://barrachousup.com/|Barrachou Paddle]] 4 Rue de Lesneven, 29880 Guissény
* [[https://brestbretagnenautisme.fr/|Brest Bretagne Nautisme]]
* [[https://canoekayakclubbrestois.fr/|Canoe Kayak Club Brestois]]
* [[https://www.facebook.com/p/Crozon-Waterman-Club-61577136154863/|Crozon Waterman Club]] (facebook)
* [[https://estranploudal.wixsite.com/l-estran-ploudal|L'Estran Ploudalmézeau]]
* [[https://barrachousup.com/finistere-surfski-festival-2024-fr/|Finistere Surfski Festival]] for beginners to intermediate (check [[http://barrachousup.com/|barrachou paddle]] website because link will may change from year to year)
* [[https://surfskiandco.com/|Surfski & Co.]] demos, lessons
* [[https://www.cercle-nautique-etel.fr/kayak/surfski-center/|Surfski Center Etel]] Etel, Morbihan
* [[https://www.facebook.com/tregorsauvetagesportif/|Trévou-Tréguignec]] Surf Lifesaving
=== 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
----
==== Haut-de-France (Heights of France) ====
=== Downwinders ===
* **Bray-Dunes, France - Nieuwpoort, Belgium **16+ km
* ….
----
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?large&start=8}}
----
----
* **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)
----
==== Loire-Atlantique ====
**Surf**
* **Pont-Mahé ** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fR2Wc8emsE|video]]
**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
* …
----
==== Normandie (Normandy) ====
=== 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?) [[https://youtu.be/Z4zrVeet9a8|video]]
* 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 ===
[[:tidalrace:tidal_races#safety_-_learning_tidal_races|About Safety]]
* Raz Blanchard (Alderney Race)
=== Dealers/Equipment ===
* [[https://www.canoe-shop.com/267-kayak-fitness|Canoe Shop]] Dives-sur-Mer (this is also the home of [[https://epickayakseurope.eu/|Epic Kayaks Europe]])
=== Resources ===
* [[https://www.cotentinkayak.fr/|Kayak Club Cotentin ]] Club de Kayak de Mer du Nord Cotentin (CKMNC), Cherbourg
* [[https://www.besport.com/group/918372|Kayak le Havre Ocean]]
* [[https://youtu.be/j7Y1H408CkM|Surfski in Normandie Video]]
----
==== Nouvelle-Aquitane (New Aquitaine) ====
=== 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]]
* …
----
**Gironde Surfing**
{{youtube>qqSt4eyi7ro?large}}
----
**Outrigger Downwinding in Basque Country**
{{youtube>WPXtM82YoZE?large}}
----
**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
* **Biscarosse ** [[https://youtu.be/o3hV6PMZLRg|SUP surfing]], [[https://youtu.be/ljcnxidtudc|Wave Yaking]]
* **Gironde**
* the Atlantic coastline west of the very large Gironde estuary has numerous surf sites. You will have to research how appropriate/safe they are for surfski surfing.
* [[https://comitesurfgironde.com/|Comite Surf Gironde]]
* [[https://nomadsurfers.com/surfing-in-gironde/|Nomad Surfing]]
* [[https://www.worldbeachguide.com/france/surf/gironde|World Beach Guide Gironde Surf]]
* **Hossegor **popular location for wind sports on water. Previously host to a popular SUP race - the [[https://www.facebook.com/HossegorSurfClub/|Hossegor Paddle Games]]
* Why the surf/waves are [[https://www.swsurfhouse.com/blog/2018/2/7/why-are-the-waves-in-hossegor-so-good-hint-theres-something-hiding-underwater|good at Hossegor]]
* …
----
**Dealers**
* [[https://outriggerzone-europe.com/|Ozone Europe]] Guéthary, France, OCs, Kai Wa'a Surfskis
* [[https://www.woo-outrigger.com/|Woo Outriggers]] they sold Pueo OCs for some time, but appear to only sell their own now.
* …
----
===== Conditions =====
See [[:france#local_water_conditions|France Conditions]]
----
===== Races =====
[[:races:race_calendars|Worldwide Race Calender Page]]
[[:races:races_france|]]
----
===== Clubs =====
* See [[:france#clubs_and_groups|Main French Club Listing]]
* Google Search - [[https://www.google.com/search?q=canoe+clubs+northern+france|Northern France Canoe Clubs]]
----