Almanarre – Carmague – Gruissan – Leucate the names of numerous spots where you find the strong Mistral/Tramontane winds – a challenge for surfers…
All the spots have at least one thing in common, they are situated at the Gulf of Lyon, one of the windiest areas in the whole of Europe.
Sailors are often scared of the winds – kiters and Windsurfers love the winds which come up unexpectedly and are very rough going ofshore from the valley of the Rhone… If you take the motorway instead of the airplane you will quickly notice signs of warning telling you that you are approaching the windy area of the Gulf of Lyon. Some caravans are blown off the road … and are at times unfortunately robbed. Here you have to pay special attention to your personal and valuable belongings. There is quite a number of surfers who made bad experiences of this kind. There are surfers who have travelled at least once a year there – for the last 17 years who have never been affected by theft…
South France
Systems of the winds:
The motto of the region:„rain in Genua is bliss for the surfer.“
Common weather conditions: Tramontane/Mistral:
Low pressure above Genua (in the north of Italy) is at its best if it stays. There is high pressure above Spain and exactly in between there are super winds. Not only the normal incline of pressure between low and high pressure is important, but additionally the conditions of the open country. The Rhonetal serves as a huge nozzle which accelerates the storm to bring it fiercely down onto the surfing spot at the Mediterranean Sea…
In the northern area of the Gulf of Lyon up to Marseille they speak of the Mistral - in the western area of the Tramontane (an offspring of the Mistral). The Tramontane is strongly accelerated by the „Massiv de la Clape“ near Gruissan. The best effects due to the combination of atmospheric winds and the process of acceleration are to be found in the utmost south near Perpignan/Leucate. There are the highest mountains.
It is not rare that the strength of the wind reaches 9-10 bft in the gusts even more – this is only for hardcore surfers.
There are the cold winds from the north east siding with the above mentioned Mistral, as the Mistral and the Tramontane (nickname Tram or Trami) come to life.
In spring when the there are big differences of the temperatures between the north and the south of Europe, the Mistral and the Tramontane are very active. There are more than 200 days suitable for surfing a year – so this is a good spot for surfers.
The kite measuring 4,7 qm metres for medium weight surfers is the standard to be used here – especially in spring and autumn.
The zone of strong winds starts near the east of Marseille (Giens-Hyeres) and reaches up to the Spanish border near Rosas.
Specials:
It is generally known that you should be very careful in the rising Mistral/Trami. The wind can immensely increase within minutes.
A wind coming from the open ground has naturally more gusts than one coming from the sea. Surfers and kiters should be well aware of that fact.
There is another wind in this region: the Marin (from east/southeast). It mostly blows at 4-6 bft and is seldom stronger. It comes onto the land with moist air and dark clouds and is often a sign for bad weather. It then quickly turns the beautiful shallow water into an area with rough waves. Beginners should then prefer the more moderate conditions to the direction of Etang.
Various spots:
The northern region from Carmague up to Hyeres
The peninsula of Giens (west and east of the landslide) is very popular among surfers.
The best spot of the spots near Giens:
Almanarre:(west of Giens)
Mistral comes sideshore from the right and free ride waves from the east in shallow water
La Bergerie: (east of Giens)
Offshore Mistral in shallow water – wind from the east onshore with waves
Les Salins and La Londe:
Mistral and wind from the east, conditions for free riding – for beginners, too – ideal for kiters
Brutal Beach:
The name is telling. Ideal for advanced surfers, if the Mistral comes in right: high waves for jumping.
Carro:
…has to be mentioned, the „mega top wave spot“ of the region! Immensely high waves.
Works out with the Mistral from NW (side offshore from the right) and with SE side inshore from the left. Experts only!
Saintes Marie de la Mer:
Here you can reach speed records in a channel put up especially for this reason. Very good if the Mistral comes from the north. Suitable as a wave spot in E/SE and W winds.
Spots south of the region Languedoc Roussilon from Sete to Leucate:
In the south west region of the Gulf of Lyon up to the Spanish border near Leucate the Trami comes side offshore or offshore. Therefore you find a lot of tracks that are ironed by the offshore Trami. This is the right place for surfers who like speeding. Near Marin (onshore from east/SE) this is turned the other way round into challenging areas of wave.
Then, beginners should prefer Etang with its shallow water and free ride conditions, the same applies to a strong Tramonte. Whoever cannot safely keep height in these offshore winds should most surely follow our advice – or next stop: Sardinia…
Various spots:
Sete:
Cape dÁgade: (a popular and crowded place in the summer)
Alternative spot: Etang de Thau:
Gruissan:Every year the „DefiWinds„ takes place here. This is a spectacular event for windsurfing in shallow water, where hundreds of surfers start at the same time (beginners and professionals) on a long course between two buoys.
The tracks in Gruissan are several kilometres log and really speedy. This is the birthplace of the holder of the speed record Pascal Makka, who owns a surf station there, today. Björn Dunkerbeck (E11) has often been seen here practising speed surfing.
Beginners and learners for whom the conditions here are too tough can go to the safer beach „Etang de Mateille“ – a „puddle“ on the beach which is suitable for families.
Leucate – Etang de Leucate:
… many surfers only pass Gruissan, why? Their aim is then the far better known mekka for surfers in Leucate near Perpignan. It is very popular for strong winds in the south of France. Indeed, the Trami is at its peak here, as the mountains ( Pyrenäen) are very nearby and accelerate the wind. Surfers should in any case keep a SEEGRASFINNE with them.
In case of no winds there is a water skilift in Leucate.
La Franqui:
… is the well known spot for speeding at the seaside of Leucate. The Trami is here – similar to Gruissan – absolutely offshore and irons the surface of the water to a great track. The French competitions in speeding are regularly held here.
When to go:
Easter is the right time to get on your way to the south of France. Then the temperatures are already much more comfortable than in Germany, nevertheless the Trami can already be quite fresh in this season – just like the water.
The best time for the winds including the onshore Marin is clearly from March to June and from September to October.
There is practically no weak Trami in spring: either there is no wind or it reaches 6-9 bft ore more.
In the months of summer there can be longer periods without wind. Whenever there is a big high pressure zone above the middle of Europe nothing works out for the surfers in their paradise as there are no suitable spots with thermo.
It is said that some people really enjoyed the Tramontane for a fortnight in the summer – what can be called normal, looking at the weather?
In summer the Trami is not as strong as in spring or autumn which makes it more suitable for beginners.
Miscellaneous:
When mountains and the sea are nearby you can always find various sport activities which are an alternative to surfing.
Very popular in the south of France:
Mountainbiking with fantastic views over the sea, horse riding, climbing etc.