Sailing Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Opened since 1934, the municipal sailing school allows you to discover the joys of sailing: monitoring, learning on optimist, dinghy, catamaran and windsurf. Courses are organized during the school holidays. All this in an exceptional area: the natural site of the Bay of Canche. Treat yourself to a kayak trip with a guide who will show you the secrets of the bay. The school is very busy during the holidays. Remember to book.

The Nautical Base hosts the sailing school and the Dunkerque nautical associations, in particular the kitesurfing and longe-côte club. It is located between Malo and Leffrinckoucke, on the edge of the Parc du Vent. At the Base de la Licorne, you can try your hand at sand yachting or kitesurfing, windsurfing, catamaran, giant paddle... Do not hesitate to contact the team who will advise you according to your level and your desires.

Young freshwater sailor or sea wolf, there is something for all ages (from 14 years old) thanks to the formulas proposed by the cruising school of the Centre régional de Voile Pascal-Leys. The choice of activities and formulas are numerous and you will always be accompanied by a professional skipper who will guide you in this discovery of sailing. This centre also allows you to participate in training for competitions, regattas and safety courses at sea.

At the Clos Fleuri water sports base, it is possible to practice a wide variety of water sports in complete safety and in a friendly atmosphere, in the natural setting of the northernmost seaside resort in France! Kitesurfing, sand yachting, windsurfing, funboat, stand-up paddle, kayak... Available for simple rental, these equipments are also to be discovered during training courses. Do not hesitate to contact the team who will guide you according to your desires.

Le Touquet beach, 4 km long, is the ideal place to try sand yachting. The discovery session is accessible from 12 years old. For courses, book 3 weeks in advance. The nautical centre also offers kitesurf, kite & wake and paddle lessons from April to October. In July and August, don't hesitate to try the longe-côte, great for the muscles and blood circulation. Le Touquet regularly hosts national and international competitions.

Created in 1965 by enthusiasts to make sand yachting accessible to as many people as possible, the club has developed to the point where it has won several world, European and French championship titles. Whether you are an amateur or an experienced sailor, the instructors are there to help you in your practice of sand yachting. You will discover an exhilarating feeling of freedom and a sensation of perfect harmony with the elements. On the beach, you can also take part in trips to the Bay of Canche or the Bay of Authie.

The 27 ^th International Kites Meeting will undoubtedly be one of the flagship events on the Opal Coast in 2013. This year's theme will be "20 000 links in the air". So free to cerfs of imagination and invention to offer the audience new dreamlike creatures. The sky will cover all of the same colourful sails as the rest of the world, for an air and sea tour in 9 days. Shells, marine animals, crustaceans, turtles and giant octopus reinventing the sky as a giant aquarium.

On this occasion, several booths and numerous animations will be offered. Among other things, the Wind Garden, the Manufacturing Workshop, the School of Pilotage, the Wind School or the Children's Village. Don't miss this fantastic and singular rendezvous.

Programme 2013

Saturday, 13 April to Sunday, 21 April

From 10 a. m.: free flight, reception of delegations
14 a. m. -18 p. m.: megateam, demonstration of delegations, garden of wind, production workshops and school of pilotage, animations, village of children, village of tourism, quiz

Sunday 14 April

: great musical parade of kite flying across the city

Thursday, 18 April

: concert by Patricia Kaas at the Palais des Sports (rue Emile Lavezzari)

Saturday 20 April

20 a. m. 30-22 p. m.: concert at Espace Rose des Vents
: night flight and fireworks

20 km of beach are spread out for your pleasure. Water sports enthusiasts will be in paradise at the Club Nautique de Merlimont, which has been awarded the French sailing and sand yacht school label. Boating, fishing, sand yachting, jet-skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddle... They also offer boat and jet-ski descents. Training courses in sand yachting and other water sports are organized throughout the year. With speed peaks of up to 60 km/h: guaranteed thrills!