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Destination Wingfoil in Leucate

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1 December 2023

Bruno SROKA

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Destination Wingfoil in Leucate

The reputation of the “wind city” is well established, and as the hostess of the “Mondi du vent” for over 20 years, Leucate is an ideal destination for Wing foil: it’s the place to be for wind and water sports in general. Located in the corridors where the tramontana accelerates, the region is swept throughout the year by more than 300 days of annual winds. Accompanied by a significant amount of shops to stock up on equipment or the usual repairs.

What are the best wingfoil spots in Leucate?

1. Les coussoules (la franqui)

The first spot on our list is Les coussoules. Spot of the mythical mondial du vent as well as of many competitions, it is above all the spot where the wind is always the strongest thanks to its venturi effect. The wind is channeled by the hinterland and Cap Leucate, on which the village of La Franqui is built. What’s more, the area is incredibly pretty!

So the wind blows north-west (tramontane) or south-southeast depending on the thermal orientation in summer.

Sea sand sun

Imagine a campsite full of riders… Well, here you are! Leucate is the perfect destination for a wingfoil vacation. The spot is just outside the mobile home, and facilities for cleaning/drying gear are located at the foot of the beach. The same applies to storage. But above all, the atmosphere is top-notch, with only windsurfers and “wingeux” around you. The spot works in all orientations, since it’s out at sea (the prevailing wind is north-westerly with the tramontana and south-easterly with the marin).

Le goulet (Etang de Leucate)

Many of the spots in this region are on ponds. Unfortunately, practice will depend on the amount of seaweed at the time of your visit, but one of the best-known spots remains Le Goulet, famous for its club, the Wesh Center Crew, run by former windsurfing champion Julien Taboulet. The place is clearly a little corner of paradise, with on-site dining, showers and even access to a skateboard ramp when the wind drops.

The idyllic wind is the tramontane, and of course the goulet is one of the spots with the strongest winds, but with the marin (sea wind) the spot is winded by Cap Leucate.

The oyster park

Leucate’s Parc à Huîtres, affectionately known as the “parca”, is an emblematic spot widely recognized by windsurfing enthusiasts. It’s THE safe spot par excellence, offering ideal conditions for beginners and experienced windsurfers alike. The parca is renowned for its low water level, making it the perfect spot for beginners, especially when using short masts.

Located in the magnificent Leucate region, the parca attracts riders looking for a unique experience. Thanks to the shallow depth of the water, beginners can make progress without fear of having to return to their feet when they break or during their first attempts.

Whether you’re a seasoned adept or a passionate beginner, the Parc à Huîtres de Leucate remains a magical place where communion with nature and the wind creates an unforgettable experience. Come and experience the wing adventure at the “parca” and discover the joys of this sport in an exceptional setting.

What activities?

Even if Leucate is an ideal destination for progressing in Wingfoil, its magnificent surroundings will allow you to practice many other activities. Whether it’s wingfoiling on windy days, or even paddleboarding when the calm returns. Of course, dockstarting is also possible, provided you can find a pontoon. If not, all you have to do is learn how to beach start at foil.

What’s more, take advantage of the hinterland to stroll in the mountains and enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds us. If the wind isn’t up to scratch, there’s a water ski lift for wakeboarding and … wake foil.

If you’re interested in dockstarting, take a look at Barcarès, where you’ll find not only a community of riders who love dockstarting, but also pontoons.

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What equipment do you need for wing foil in Leucate?

The tramontana is a very strong and irregular onshore wind. As a result, it will push you into a corner if you’re not prepared for it. So, to be as comfortable as possible in these conditions, there are two possible scenarios:

First, you are a seasoned practitioner. In this case, bring as much equipment as possible (that’s always what we do no matter the spot), think especially about small equipment, whether it’s boards or foils. To give you an idea, in Leucate, the SROKA team would take, for a size of 85 kg, with a good technical level: a superfly 4’6 or 4’8, wingfoil wings in 3, 4 and 5m² and an Elite 14 mm foil with its carbon fuselage, 180cm² stabilizer and three front wings to adapt to all eventualities, take along a 1350 L HA for calm days and possibly the dockstart if you master the discipline, the one nicknamed the Swiss army knife, the 950 S HA, pleasant in all weathers. Finally, our little 670 S HA to go faster than my friends!
In the second case, you’re on your way up. In this situation, it’s best to use equipment you know. The Tramontana is pushing hard and quite unstable, so you don’t want to get caught out. A 1250 Control front wing will give you comfort and ease in all conditions. Finally, an 820 Control will bring you ease in very strong winds. Last but not least, if you ride at sea, the wind will be offshore, which is all the more reason to stay safe. So go offshore with equipment suited to your level and conditions. Otherwise, we recommend sailing on lakes and ponds.

Where to take lessons? Where to rent equipment?

The area is full of schools and shops that rent out equipment. If we had to name just one, you can turn to the Cercle de Voile du Cap Leucate, which, in addition to being very welcoming, is an association packed with enthusiasts!

For rentals, we recommend directwind leucate. A cool, dynamic team that will provide you with recent, well-maintained equipment.