Gruissan/Leucate end of march

[BOEMIX]

Ridezebigone nailed it!
My best advice is that if there is Tramuntana, It's better to go to Leucate/Gruissan spots, but if the forecast is dead calm, we have more chances of thermal wind here in Sant Pere.

This is just what i do

[TomW]

Thanks for all the info. Honestly, doesn't sound that great for kiting, but you take what you got.

[RideZeBigOne]

Thanks for all the info. Honestly, doesn't sound that great for kiting, but you take what you got.

I agree with you but I can tell you that if you can ride on Tramontana on these spots, you can ride easily anywhere over the world
Tramotana is gusty but blows almost everyday , check this profile 'Annie' , she's a retired windsurfer lady and there is not a lot of day off in her calendar : http://windsurf-sessions.eg2.fr/cal_use ... 6&limite=1

So, any chance to see you on one of these spot soon ?

regards

RzBo

[BOEMIX]

I also think so. If u are able to kite with tramontana then kiting with another kind of wind is going to feel yiu are in Maui

[BernieTomic1]

Just wanted to say thanks for the detailed spot descriptions.
I still find it a bit astonishing that you guys go out in strong and gusty offshore wind. I can imagine that you get amazing flat water conditions, but do you not have lots of problems due to the conditions?
Flat water is often what freestylers crave, and if you do tricks chances of your lines getting messed up increase. Lots of self rescuing in strong offshore going on?
In regard to Gruissan Port la nouvelle: I understand that after passing the Grazel, and going out to the beach, one should drive another 4 kilometres on the beach. Is that due to wind coming in less gusty at the point 4 km from the beach entrance? Do you need 4 wheel drive or is the sand manageable? If something happens there, you are of course in offshore at a spot that is only reachable via the beach, 4 km away from a road that in itself is quite bad as I understand?

Unfortunately it looks like rain and a temperature drop the coming weekend, so I am not counting on those thermals.

[RideZeBigOne]

Hi Bernie,

I can imagine that you get amazing flat water conditions, but do you not have lots of problems due to the conditions?

Some rules to follow : do not ride alone and release your kite if situation go wrong (deathloop, broken line,...).Do not obstinate to self rescue because wind push you very fast away from the beach, release your kite and swim... Do not ride if you do not trust your equipment reliability.
There are some riders with a very good level, and they may catch your kite and bring back your kite but it is better if you rider with some friends because they will help you quicker.
There is good solidarity on this spot but do not abuse of people kindness, they may catch your kite once or twice but not more

Water high increase slowly on this spot, so you have about 1m deep over 50m. So ride as close as you can from the beach.

Flat water is often what freestylers crave, and if you do tricks chances of your lines getting messed up increase. Lots of self rescuing in strong offshore going on?

If wind is strong (more than 25-30kt), it is quite impossible to self rescue (swim against the wind is difficult), so you have to release your kite and hope that friend can bring back your kite.

In regard to Gruissan Port la nouvelle: I understand that after passing the Grazel, and going out to the beach, one should drive another 4 kilometres on the beach. Is that due to wind coming in less gusty at the point 4 km from the beach entrance? Do you need 4 wheel drive or is the sand manageable? If something happens there, you are of course in offshore at a spot that is only reachable via the beach, 4 km away from a road that in itself is quite bad as I understand?

Road do not start from Grazel but from the camping (south side of the harbor) : here is the trace https://goo.gl/photos/qmjDpJoJbDBFjzoz8
You don't need a 4 wheel drive but road can be less or more flooded (depends on rain or if there is SE wind -> with this orientation sea flood the beach and you can go to VN, you have to wait few days that wind dry the beach)

Unfortunately it looks like rain and a temperature drop the coming weekend, so I am not counting on those thermals.

If tramontana blows, it (almost) never rain. Rain stops few kilometer in the land and it is usually shiny on the coast.
You may have SE wind on the next week end, but forecast for SE is very random ... forecast can vary a lot, it is quite good only 24h before. With actual forecast, you may ride with SE wind, so VN will not be an option, you should go to the south (barcarès, Canet),

You can check in real time wind with website : http://www.winds-up.com/ (last hour is not free)


yesterday forecast were about 70km/h, but we met 40kt ... https://vimeo.com/209057039

Regards,
RzBo

[BernieTomic1]

I imagine lots of loose kites on the run from Gruissan towards Tunisia.
Never tried or even saw an offshore wind free kite rescue.
You are using smaller kites, but I still imagine that to be tricky.

Interesting that the rainy forecast typically is incorrect!
That you ride without rain most of the time is definitely a big plus.

Local guys don't really ride in the étangs in Gruissan?

[RideZeBigOne]

Yes, there are some kites on their way to tunisia, not all kite has been saved
I personnaly have to release my kite on this spot (death loop after failed trick), it has disappeared on the horizon but I found a fisherman (it was summer, more chance to found a boat on the coast). I don't know how he found my kite but at the end of the day the fisherman bring back my kite ! It was inexpected !

I know that some kitesurfers ride in mateille (as big as a puddle lol), but there is some hills upwind so wind is gusty. I think that grazel is not allowed (harbor entrance)
Ayrolles is forbidden (water is 30cm deep...)
This étangs is allowed (https://goo.gl/maps/8AjyQatED2r), there is a kiteschool, but water is 30cm and with mud. Wind is not as good as in VN but it is safer.

I recommand La Nautique (https://goo.gl/maps/Gk6RmrcpW3D2) instead of these spot if you don't wont to ride offshore (that I understand very well, no doubt it is dangerous!).

When do you arrive at Gruissan and how long is your stay ?

[FrenchPascal]

A savoir: https://www.snsm.org/actualite/le-196-l ... nce-en-mer

[naishdude]

Maybe you drive a couple of 100km further towards the Ebro Delta....
dude