[1]Where to learn | [2]other background info [gull.gif] Sand-yachting along the beaches [3]What is sand-yachting? [4]History of sand-yachting [5]Different types of sand-yacht [6]Getting started [7]Where to hire, lessons [hardelot-bleriot.gif] [hardelot-early-landyacht.gif] Louis Bleriot (1st solo cross-channel flier) invented the first sand-yacht on the beach at Hardelot a century ago - it now looks heavy and cumbersome... [sport-boulogne-charavol.gif] ...compared with today's stripped-down version. [8]Back to top What is sand yachting? You're sitting on a bucket seat fixed to what looks like a flimsy frame of lightweight poles, bowling along the sandy seashore with hardly any sound - just the hum of the wheels, and the distant lapping of the waves. You're too busy hanging on to the rope that controls your sail to look around you at the spectacularly flat coastline. This is your first lesson in sand-yachting! Ideal flat sandy beaches Nord-Pas-de-Calais has miles of continuous flat sandy beaches, and a coastline swept with bracing fresh winds from off the Channel or the North Sea - you couldn't wish for better conditions. History It all started when Louis Bleriot was playing around on the flat sandy beaches at [9]Hardelot at the turn of the century... [10]Back to top You can do it sitting down... There are different sorts of sand-yachting. With "Char à voile" (sail-carting) you are sitting down in something like a sail-driven go-kart, so you have a safely low centre of gravity. Sand-yachts are good for beginners - it feels safer to be closer to the ground while you're getting started! Most people soon get the hang of controlling their sails by the simple pulley system. ...or standing up You can also try "speed-sailing", which you do standing up - it's like sail-boarding on wheels. You stand up on a small platform, leaning out to balance the sail - and generally go faster than a beginner's sand-yacht. [11]Back to top [sport-gravelines-sandyacht.gif] You can do it sitting down (called "char à voile")... [sport-leffrinck-speedsail.gif] or standing up (called "speed-sailing"). Getting started Several centres offer lessons - for children and adults - and hire the equipment. Most take groups as well as individuals. [12]Back to top Where to hire, get lessons & find facilities [13]Sandyachts on the Cote d'Opale (Wimereux, Boulogne, Etaples, Berck) [14]Sandyachts on the Dunes of Flanders (Calais, Gravelines, Dunkerque, Bray-Dunes) Channel coast - south of Cap Griz-Nez [map-montreuil-area.gif] [15]Back to top Berck area: [16]AGORA, Front de Mer, Esplanade Parmentier, BP9 62601 BERCK-SUR-MER. Tel: 00 33 3 21 89 87 00 - Fax: 00 33 3 21 89 87 13 Email: [17]agora.berck@wanadoo.fr Website: [18]http://perso.wanadoo.fr/agora.berck/ Boulogne area: Base de Tel: 00 33 3 2 Hardelot area: Tel: 00 33 3 21 83 27 93 North Sea coast - east of Cap Griz Nez [map-dunkerque-area.gif] [19]Back to top Bray-Dunes area: Base de Speed Sail, 726 boulevard Trystram, 59240 LEFFRINCKOUCKE. Tel: 00 33 3 28 69 05 06 Ecole de Char À Voile Zephir, Rue des Dunes Prolongées, 59123 ZUYDCOOTE Tel: 00 33 3 28 26 50 98 Fax: 00 33 3 28 58 27 01 Gravelines: Centre de Char À Voile des Rives de l'Aa, 27 rue de la Chapelle, BP 139, 59820 GRAVELINES Tel/ fax: 00 33 3 28 23 41 70 Base de Char À Voile, rue de la Chapelle, BP 142, 59820 GRAVELINES Tel/ fax: 00 33 3 28 23 43 75 [20]The beaches of north France are the best place for sand-yachting - it's an amazing experience! You can learn to sail, too - click on me... Related background information [21]Sailing - for a different high speed experience, try sailing small catamarans.... [22]KID stations - children's facilities [23]Sports & outdoor leisure facilities [24]Seaside holidays [25]Back to top [26]Home [27]Back [28]Map [29]A-Z www.theotherside.co.uk © Copyright 2000 [30]Invicta Media Last updated 23rd July 2002 References 1. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#hire 2. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#back 3. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#whatis 4. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#history 5. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#types 6. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#start 7. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#hire 8. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#top 9. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/towns/hardelot.htm 10. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#top 11. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#top 12. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#top 13. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#south 14. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#east 15. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#top 16. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/visit/visit-berck-agora.htm 17. mailto:agora.berck@wanadoo.fr 18. http://perso.wanadoo.fr/agora.berck/ 19. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#top 20. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/visit/visit-dunkerque-sail.htm 21. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/sailing.htm 22. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/kid.htm 23. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/sport.htm 24. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/seaside.htm 25. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/pages_locales/url_en_5.html#top 26. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/about.htm 27. javascript:history.go(-1); 28. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/map-npdc.htm 29. file://localhost/cygdrive/c/Documents%20and%20Settings/etudiant/Bureau/Site_Peigne-Szymoniak/projet_master/a-znpdec.htm 30. http://www.invmed.demon.co.uk/