Leisure
Martinique, the jewel of the Caribbean, is renowned for its idyllic beaches, vibrant culture, and rich heritage. But for thrill-seekers and water sports enthusiasts, it’s also a paradise playground for kitesurfing. Under the gentle touch of the trade winds and against a breathtaking backdrop, Martinique offers an unparalleled kitesurfing experience. Between turquoise lagoons and endless horizons, let’s dive together into the captivating world of Martinique kitesurfing.
When is the best time to go to Martinique for kitesurfing and wingfoiling?
Traveling to Martinique for kitesurfing is an unforgettable experience, but to make the most of it, it’s essential to choose the right time. The ideal period for practicing this sport on the island is between December and June, coinciding with the dry season. During these months, Martinique benefits from atmospheric conditions conducive to kitesurfing. Indeed, it is during this window that the trade winds, these constant and regular winds, blow with optimal intensity, offering kitesurfers memorable and secure sessions. These winds create a perfect environment for kitesurfing enthusiasts and professionals alike, with stable conditions that allow for rapid progress or pushing one’s limits. Thus, if the idea is to combine the charms of the Caribbean with the passion for kitesurfing, it is strongly recommended to prioritize the period from December to June for a truly enriching Martinique experience.
Where to go kitesurfing and wingfoiling in Martinique?
Martinique, the jewel of the Caribbean, is a popular destination for kitesurfing and wingfoiling thanks to its favorable weather conditions and stunning landscapes. Among the most popular spots, Pointe Faula stands out in particular. This spot dedicated to kitesurfing and wingfoiling is nestled in the southeastern part of Martinique, in the charming town of Vauclin. Pointe Faula is undoubtedly the most famous and sought-after kite/wing spot on the island. Its characteristics give it a certain notoriety: a vast shallow lagoon stretching for many kilometers, a sandy and uniform bottom, and a spacious and safe launching area. Moreover, it is suitable for everyone, whether you are a beginner or an expert in kitesurfing. As a bonus, Vauclin is surrounded by a multitude of dedicated services, such as kitesurfing and wingfoiling schools or equipment rentals, allowing visitors to fully enjoy their experience.
How to get to Pointe Faula? From Fort-de-France, you can drive there via the N6 in just under an hour (40 km), from Le François in 24 minutes (15 km), from Les Trois-Îlets in 50 minutes (39 km) via the N5, from Sainte-Anne in 28 minutes (19 km), and from our vacation rental in 15 minutes (8 km).
However, Martinique is not limited to Vauclin. Cap Chevalier is another popular beach for kitesurfers (twintip) due to its strong and consistent winds. For those looking for a more touristy setting, Pointe du Bout offers a combination of shallow water and a large navigable area spanning several kilometers for all types of equipment. Anse Trabaud in Sainte-Anne, recommended for experienced kitesurfers due to its rough seas, provides a tranquil and picturesque beach with white sand and turquoise water, accessible via a rocky path. This less crowded spot is less suitable for beginners who would prefer other quieter sites. Finally, Anse du Petit Macabou, less frequented, offers a more wild and intimate experience. Located in the same area as Pointe Faula, this spot, suitable for both kite and wingfoil, offers a privileged launch area away from the crowds, while allowing you to reach the contiguous navigation area of Pointe Faula. Thus, giving you the choice to sail in the lagoon of the Macabou estate, a large and less crowded navigation area, or to join the crowded area a few kilometers away in the same lagoon.
Baz Notik de la Pointe du Bout – Les Trois Ilets Kite/Wing/Foil – Confirmé (décollage) Intermédiaire (Navigation) Mise à l’eau technique depuis le ponton mais grand plan d’eau.
Plage du Diamand – Le Diamant Kite/Wing/Foil – Expert Spot difficile avec beaucoup de vagues et un puissant courant.
Plage de la Table du Diable (Anse à Prunes) – Saint-Anne Kite/Wing/Foil – Confirmé Petit spot peu connu, à l’extrême EST, après la grande plage des Salines. Ne pas descendre en dessous de l’ilet Cabrits (danger)
Plage de l’Anse Trabaud – Saint-Anne Spot de vague – Expert Accès routier via des kilomètres de route caillouteuse.
Baie des Anglais – Saint-Anne Tout support – en navigation attention aux hauts fonds Accès principalement par la mer – mouillage voilier
Plage de Anse Michel/Cap Chevalier – Saint-Anne Kite – Intermédiaire/confirmé (twintip) Plage accessible.
Plage de la Pointe Faula – Le Vauclin Kite/Wing/Foil – Intermédiaire/confirmé Zone de décollage kite et de mise à l’eau balisées, plan d’eau kite au sud, plan d’eau WingFoil au nord. Mise à l’eau Kitefoileur compliquée (peu de fonds). En navigation foil attention aux hauts fonds.
Cap EST – Le François Kite/Wing/Foil – Intermédiaire/confirmé Pas de parking, accès à la plage compliqué, mise à l’eau dans un couloir étroit, en navigation attention aux filets anti-algues. Possibilité de sortir du lagon privilégié du Cap EST pour naviguer dans la baie du Simon ou rejoindre les ilets du François.
Plage de l’ilet Long – Le François Kite/Wing/Foil – Confirmé Accès par bateau uniquement, petite plage pour décollage, en navigation attention aux récifs.
Plage de l’anse Tartane – La Trinité Kite/Wing/Foil – Confirmé Lorsque l’orientation du vent est Nord Est, en navigation attention aux hauts fonds.
Plage de la luciole – Sainte-Marie Kite – Confirmé Lorsque l’orientation du vent est Nord Est
Plage de Petit Macabou – La Vauclin Kite/Wing/Foil – Intermédiaire/confirmé Plan d’eau tous supports, adapté aux foileurs, éviter le petit récif de la pointe de plage lors de la mise à l’eau, au nord plan d’eau plat jusqu’à la pointe Faula, au sud vagues.
Who to take kitesurfing and wingfoil lessons with in Martinique?
The choice of a kitesurfing and wingfoil school is crucial to ensure a safe and effective initiation to these sports. To begin with, it's essential to check the school's certifications, which attest to compliance with safety standards and the quality of teaching. Reviews and testimonials from former students can also guide your choice. The proximity of the practice location and the quality of the facilities should also be considered. Choose a school that provides modern equipment suitable for beginners. Finally, inquire about the student-to-instructor ratio: training in small groups will ensure more individualized attention and therefore faster progress.
KITESURF SCHOOLS
The name of the company
Phone number
Address
Club Nautique du Vauclin
+596 596 74 50 83
Pointe Faula, Le Vauclin 97280, Martinique
AIRFLY
+596 596 76 25 31
Pointe Faula, Le Vauclin 97280, Martinique
CKS Cora Kite School
+596 696 54 31 21
CAP EST, Le François 97240, Martinique
AZUR KITE
+596 696 07 21 12
Marina du François, Le François 97240, Martinique
BLUE LAGOON KITESURF
+596 696 94 81 63
pointe chaudiere, 21 Baie des Mulets, Le Vauclin 97280, Martinique
BAZ NOTIK
+596 596 66 19 06
pointe du bout, Les Trois Ilets 97229, Martinique
MADININA KITESURF
+596 696 76 98 00
Marina du marin, Le Marin 97290, Martinique
WINGFOILING SCHOOLS
AZUR KITE
+596 696 07 21 12
Marina du François, Le François 97240, Martinique
BLUE LAGOON KITESURF
+596 696 94 81 63
pointe chaudiere, 21 Baie des Mulets, Le Vauclin 97280, Martinique
AIRFLY
+596 596 76 25 31
Pointe Faula, Le Vauclin 97280, Martinique
BAZ NOTIK
+596 596 66 19 06
pointe du bout, Les Trois Ilets 97229, Martinique
History and Characteristics of Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is a water sport where an individual is towed on a board by a specific kite called a “kite”. The discipline gained popularity in the early 2000s. The kitesurfer, equipped with a harness, controls the kite using a bar connected by traction lines. While symmetrical boards (twin-tip) and inflatable kites dominate the market, other equipment is developing for different types of navigation, such as directional boards for waves.
The history of kitesurfing dates back to the 1970s when several patents for traction kites were filed. A notable evolution came from the Legaignoux brothers, who patented an inflatable kite in 1984. In the 1990s, various innovations and experiments popularized the sport. The Legaignoux brothers also launched Wipika, a company that played a central role in the commercialization of kitesurfing. Within a few years, the kitesurfing community grew from a handful to several thousand, with rapid growth in equipment sales.
Kitesurfing has also undergone regulatory developments, with standards put in place after serious accidents. Furthermore, equipment has improved over the years, increasing the safety and performance of the sport. There are also variations of kitesurfing practiced on other terrains, such as snowkiting on snow or kiteboarding with a mountainboard on land, as well as skitesurfing, wingfoiling, and kitefoiling. Although kitesurfing was considered for the 2016 Olympic Games, it was ultimately overshadowed by windsurfing.
In terms of equipment, kites mainly divide into inflatable leading edge kites and foil kites. Boards also vary according to their use, ranging from bidirectional boards, more common, to directional boards, suitable for specific conditions.
Why take up kitesurfing?
Kitesurfing is more than just a sport; it’s a fusion of nature’s energy and man’s passion for adventure. Getting into kitesurfing means choosing to immerse yourself in an experience that combines adrenaline, self-mastery, and communion with the elements. This water sport allows you to glide over the water propelled by the force of the wind, offering an incomparable sense of freedom. Moreover, kitesurfing is much more accessible than you might think. Advances in equipment have made it safer and suitable even for beginners. By its very nature, it also encourages the discovery of stunning coastal landscapes and the meeting of a community of enthusiasts. Finally, kitesurfing is an excellent exercise for both body and mind, strengthening muscles and concentration while providing an escape from daily stress. Getting into kitesurfing is therefore embracing a life of action, discovery, and deep connections with nature.
The basics to start kitesurfing off right
How to properly ride upwind in kitesurfing?
Riding upwind in kitesurfing is essential to control your trajectory and navigate efficiently. To do this, it is crucial to be at least in the average wind range. This position ensures optimal kite traction, allowing for stable edge control. Regarding the kite’s position, it should be set at an angle of about 45° to the water surface. This orientation ensures constant and balanced traction. Additionally, the body weight plays a crucial role: a balanced weight distribution on both feet is necessary for smooth and controlled upwind riding.
How to steer in kitesurfing?
Navigating in kitesurfing requires a combination of kite control and body positioning. To begin, the “control line,” essential for kite maneuvering, must be securely anchored to the ground. Placing sand at its end helps stabilize it and prevents any unwanted movement. Next, position yourself so that your lines are angled at 45 degrees to the wind direction. This orientation is crucial for optimizing kite power and facilitating movement. Finally, by lowering your kite from the zenith towards the water, it generates more power, providing greater thrust. This dynamic allows you to navigate with precision and make the most of the wind energy.
How to waterstart in kiteboarding?
Getting out of the water in kiteboarding is a crucial step that requires specific coordination between kite movement and body positioning. To initiate this maneuver, start by pulling on your front hand, which is the left hand if you’re on a port tack. This action directs the kite into the half-window, guiding it towards the power zone, where it captures the maximum wind energy. At the same time, slightly extend your front leg to help lift and stabilize your board. Meanwhile, the back leg should remain bent, acting as a pivot. This combination of movements, when well synchronized, will lift you efficiently out of the water, ready to glide over the waves with your kite.
What is Wingfoiling? What are its characteristics?
Wingfoiling is a water sport that combines the aerial glide of kitesurfing and the agility of windsurfing. Wingfoiling is practiced using a surfboard equipped with a hydrofoil, which is positioned beneath the board, and a hand-held wing, called a “wing”. The foil, typically made of aluminum alloy or carbon, allows the board to lift above the water once a certain speed is reached, reducing resistance and providing a sensation of flight. Foil sizes typically range between 60 cm and 100 cm depending on the rider’s weight and weather conditions. One of the main attractions of wingfoiling is the freedom of movement. Unlike kitesurfing where you are tethered to the kite by lines, the wing is directly manipulated by your hands, offering immediate and intuitive control. This feature is essential for beginners looking to safely master the basics of navigation. As for physical benefits, practicing wingfoiling is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that also strengthens the core muscles, arms, and improves balance. In terms of ideal conditions, a wind speed of 15 to 25 knots is perfect for an optimal experience, allowing riders of all levels to fully enjoy their session.
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