Wing Foiling in Hyères, France
Wing Foiling in Hyeres
October & November 2023Two short trips to Hyères (France) in mid-October and mid-November.
The aim: to learn wing foiling
It is a nice long drive of 750km passing Milan, Genova and Nice, usually with some traffic jams on the really busy motorways – not to forget the mandatory stop for an espresso in Italy.
Leaving home at 6am took 10 hours, leaving at 3.30am only took 8 hours, so the earlier you can leave the better.
The reliable mistral wind was good to learn with but really strong at times. The huge sandy bay is a safe place, I recommend the Giens side, the shore break on the Almanarre side is much bigger.
A perfect wing foil spot
The huge sandy bay on the side close to Giens is a good place to go out and also safe place for beginners. Enough space to setting up your gear and taking a break between wing sessions.
The southern end of the bay is easy to access, there is also free parking in walking distance.
What wing sizes?
You will need quite a range of wing sizes, from 3m if the Mistral is hammering and 5.5m or bigger on light days. The evening sessions are beautiful – during my time here, the wind usually dropped a bit towards the evenings. Wind statistics: windy.app
Water temperatures?
Almanarre sea temperatures reach their peak, ranging from 22 to 27°C, around August 17th and are lowest around March 1st, ranging from 12 to 13°C. The warmest period is in mid-August. For early morning, dusk, or windy conditions, a 2mm neoprene top or shorty is recommended. In early March, sea temperatures are best suited for a 4/3mm wetsuit with 3mm boots, though a 5/3mm wetsuit may be preferable for extended sessions and colder, windier days. Source: seatemperature.info
Shopping
- Marché Bergerie is a great place to buy fresh food or have a quick meal
- Bakery La Dégustine for fresh baguetes and pastry
- Grocery at Casino Supermarché
- Decathlon Toulon
Camping & Food
Camping International is a good place for camping or staying in a mobile home. Direct sea access wir winging and windsurfing, or you walk 5 minutes to the south end of the large bay.
There are some nice cafes and restaurants in the Giens area.
Sunrise on Bachtel
El Gouna, Egypt Sept 2023
Good wind in El Gouna, Egypt
September 2023Two weeks kitesurfing again in El Gouna. Ten days good wind for 9m kites, four days no wind. Some nice foiling sessions, sometimes a bit challenging with the changing tide – it is certainly a good idea to use a short mast here.
We stayed in a nice airbnb apartment right next to the Abu Tig harbour.
It seems that in terms of restaurants, El Gouna is getting better every year. Check our my El Gouna guide for more information.
El Gouna Guide
Our personal guide to El Gouna for restaurants, shops, hotels etc.
Light Wind Kitefoiling
On those days with light wind, kite foiling can be a good alternative and is a lot of fun. We were surprised that we got going on the foil with only 11 knots in a beautiful sunset evening sesion on the glassy water.
11 knot wind
The ulitmate guide to El Gouna
El Gouna - the Ultimate Guide
El Gouna – Your Gateway to Red Sea Kite Paradise!
El Gouna certainly is a great place for a kitesurfing vacation offering great kitesurfing for all levels. The spots on the reefs offer flat water, which only gets choppy in high wind. There is a big choice of hotels and restaurants as well as apartments. The kite clubs offer provide the whole package. storage, beach and rescue service as well as food and bar. Our favourite place is Makani Beach Club – great spot, good food and friendly staff. Other options are Kitepower, KBC or Kite People.
Restaurants
There is a huge variety of restaurants in the old harbour and El Gouna downtown.
- Maroush and Kan Zaman have great Egyptian food and good prices.
- Best Indian food in El Gouna at Tandoor
- Great breakfast and fresh food at Malu’s Deli.
- Nicole’s Greenhouse is an excellent vegan/vegetarian restaurant.
- Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant offers good good Vietnamese dishes, but you can pay with cash only.
- Chicha Restaurant and Bar is a good Mexican place – reservations are required.
- Barten is a good Sushi place, you get a special deal on Mondays.
Yalla Food Order Delivery app
You can order via the Yalla Order delivery app from grocery stores and most restaurants.
Shopping
- Gourmet Food, Best Buy and Supermarket Ebaid are the places for grocery shopping.
- Beer and wind at the liquor shop Cheers or Drinkies
- The Senzo Mall 40k from Hurghada is huge but has tons of shops.
Laundry Service
- The Tamr hena laundry offers reliable same day laundry services.
Fitness Gym
- The LAX Gym is probably the best gym in El Gouna. Good fitness equipment – a great view of the Red Sea – as well as massage and sauna.
Wind and Weather
While it is super hot during the summer months, temperatures can be surprisingly chilli in winter (e.g. April) – especially in combination with strong wind. You might need a warm hoody and I recommend a 4/3mm neopren.
There is wind throughout the entire year. Particularly good are February, August and October.
Details for wind and weather at windfinder.com.
Ramadan
During Ramadan, things are a bit more quiet in Egypt, some opening hours shift in favour of the working people.
However, after sunset, things can get really busy and at the end of Ramadan, El Gouna was just flooded with Egyptian tourists.
Storm Riders on Lake Zürich
Biketour Laax – Grap Masegn
Biketour Laax - Grap Masegn
July 8, 2023Endless Downhill Trail
Awesome day mountain bike tour in the Laax area – 32 km, 1’400m ascent.
The climb from Laax to Grap Masegn via Falera and Grap Sogn Gion leads 1400m in one go to Grap Masegn. It’s a mountain dirt road, quite steep at times. The downhill trails back to Laax are fantastic – different sections, some technical, some fast.
