Nautical sports

On a boat, a sailboard or a sand-yacht, Aquitaine will fill your sails with wind.

One of the assets of the region in terms of nautical leisure is that as well as the ocean, it has nine lakes with their peaceful waters and their light breeze. Ideal for learning how to handle a boat, a catamaran or a sailboard, in full safety.

This sort of activity is also practised on the ocean, but this is above all the kingdom of pleasure boating. There is a vast array of sailing schools – did you know that you can pass your coastal sailing licence in a weekend? – and the ports with their variety of charms are home to yachts and the like all year round.

For professionals, high-level competitions are regularly held in the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Bay of Arcachon, and on Biscarrosse and Hourtin lakes. Here you can taste the atmosphere of regattas and visit the surrounding heritage, including the culinary heritage of the many restaurants!

To enjoy the ocean air without any risk of getting seasick, try sand-yachting or speed sailing, the more extreme version. The beaches of the Médoc and the Landes, with their long stretches of sand, are ideal for long straights and wide curves, with your hair flying in the wind.

The nautical sports offering is not confined to the two leading activities of surfing and sailing. Their variations such as kite surfing (towed by a giant kite) or hydrofoil (a sort of flying trimaran) are highly popular in Aquitaine among enthusiasts of the extreme and of the latest trends.

The more traditional activities of water-skiing, jet ski and diving also offer initiation or expert training courses, clubs and competitions.

Rowing boats, canoes and kayaks do not only row down rivers – they are popular ocean sports too. There is even a Hawaiian version of sea canoeing, called outrigger-canoeing.

To summarise, whatever your fancy, you will take to Aquitaine like a fish to water.