Fact File

How To Get There

There are a number of ways to get to La Tranche most of which we have tried over the years but currently Speed Ferries from Dover to Boulogne are the cheapest ferry (£102 return for a long wheel base van and 4 passengers on a Bank Holiday weekend). From Boulogne it’s 400miles of wide open auto route. Other options include:

• Longer day or overnight crossings from Portsmouth and Pool to Cherbourg or St Malo
• Ryanair fly to La Rochelle. Rich did this last year and ended up in Bergerac when La Rochelle was the only foggy place in all of Europe. Car hire is about £100 a week.

How The Wind Works

Generally the prevailing wind is boosted by a sea breeze particularly when it comes from the West through to North-west and this kicks up the wind by another force or two. Typically the sea breeze kicks in from about 3pm when a 10-12 mph wind becomes 16-18mph. Le Phare can be sailed in any onshore breeze from South-South-west through to North but it is best in a North-west. The sea breeze works on most sunny days from mid May through to at least the end of August. At La Tranche the same wind directions apply but it does suffer from an inshore wind shadow when there is any north in the wind.

The Sailing Spots

Le Phare	La Tranche
Beach faces:	South-west	South-east
Best wind direction:	North-west through West	South-west
Not good:	Any offshore direction.	If it is South-west it is often better to sail in La Tranche from the Ecole de Voile (sailing school site.)
Fees:	No fees, even the car park is free which is typical of the area.
Tide:	Best sailed at mid to high tide. No rips or currents, just normal tidal flow evident.	Any state of the tide is fine.
What’s on the bottom:	A lovely foot-ripping rocky platform.	Lovely sand.
Any hazards?:	Non other than the above and a few lobster pot lines and some very large jelly fish!
Other water users:	Plenty of kite surfers most of whom are very competent. On a busy day there can be up to about 25 kite surfers and the same number of windsurfers. Upwind in a North-west there can also be a number of surfers at mid tide. Generally only French folk sail at Le Phare which is one of the great attractions.	Le Tranche can be very busy with upwards of 50 beginners and intermediates all reaching back and forth. There will also be quite a number of catamaran teaching groups on the water. All in all it can get very busy.
Suitability/levels:	Intermediate to advanced	Beginner upwards
Wipeout factor: .	No more than anywhere else. A kit failure will result in a swim as there are not generally any powerboats to help out.	At La Tranche there are always powerboats around including the safety boats from the Ecole de Voile to give you a ride back in.

Over the years La Tranche has been host to many national and international events with one of the most spectacular being the annual ‘Raid’ when over 200 windsurfers race the 10 miles to the Isle de Re.

Water State

Le Phare can offer pretty good wind driven waves which are created by a reef to the north of the launch area. To work well the wind needs to be in the West to North quadrant. La Tranche is generally a flat water or bump & jump location.

Instruction And Kit Hire

Instruction: Not at Le Phare but there is in La Tranche at the Ecole de Voile by the main beach. Five sessions cost approximately 100 euro.

Kit Hire: A t La Tranche there is good quality kit available. JP/Pryde from Nova Fun Exocet/North from Le Palmier and Fanatic/Severne from theWave school

Accommodation

Camping is the name of the game! Most campsites have very good facilities including swimming pools which are great for non windsurfers.One of the best is Baie d’Aunis 100 yards from the beach behind the Ecole de Voile in La Tranche.

If you can read French, this is a good site:www.tranche.net but otherwise the Tourist Office speak English if you didn’t pay attention in French class.

[email protected] Tel. 02 51 30 33 96

Food

There are numerous places to eat across a whole range of budgets. One of our favourites is Le Phare Ouest in the main street of La Tranche.

Nightlife

Eating out, street entertainers, a couple of nightclubs or just walking on the beach – something for everyone.

Bored Of Windsurfing

Last summer I sailed eight days out of my two week holiday but I could have sailed more! When not on the water, cycling and swimming or visits toLa Rochelle and the Isle de Re are great days out.

Conclusion

As a family we have been going to La Tranche for many years. The swimming pool is 50yds one way, the town centre 400yds another and the beach 100yds the other way, and Le Phare two miles round the corner – ideal!

Tourist

Paul & Rich Hoey

Paul: I’m an education adviser for Norfolk County Council responsible for Outdoor Education and a number of community sport projects whilst Rich is a Sports Development Officer in Suffolk. We generally sail at Hunstanton or Wells but Rich will also sail other wave spots. I reckon he has a problem sailing in a straight line, he calls it freestyle but in reality it’s his way of not acknowledging I’m faster. Truth is I’m rubbish but it’s all about having a great time!