La Couarde-sur-Mer

Prises beach faces the Antioche strait with a general orientation of due south / southwest. The dominant winds from the W to SW sector generally arrive side-shore to side-on relative to the beach, which is comfortable for navigation and safety. A more NW oriented wind becomes rather side-off and makes the spot more technical, especially with the current.

The spot works mainly at mid-rising tide and high tide. At low tide, the water recedes significantly and the area becomes largely exposed: the water empties, leaving sandbanks and rocky areas, which complicates or even makes navigation impossible. At high tide, there is a good volume of water in front of the beach, a flat to choppy water surface, and enough depth to comfortably ride.

Entry is from the large sandy beach, but the launch area is of variable size depending on the tide. At high tide during spring tides, the sand is quickly eroded and the space to rig and launch becomes more limited, especially if the beach is busy. However, at medium tide, there is enough sandy area to prepare lines, launch, and land in good conditions. It is essential to consider the presence of other water activities (sailing, paddle, jet-ski) related to the nautical center located on the beach, and to position oneself outside their traffic channels.

The water is relatively flat to slightly choppy in the 100 to 300 meters band from the shore, especially with established winds from the west. With more wind and west swell, a small chop forms offshore, but it is not a true wave spot. There are nice areas of "flat" relative between the small undulations, interesting for freeride and old school freestyle.

Navigation is mainly along the beach, making parallel runs to the coast. It is advisable to stay in the central part and slightly towards the west of the beach, where the bottom is more regular and the water surface clearer. Towards certain areas, especially at low tide or mid-tide, one may encounter rocky patches and areas of irregular bottom that emerge with the swell. It is best to identify them before entering the water, ideally at lower tide during a scouting walk.

The spot is officially used for sailing, SUP, and other activities, and the town hall of La Couarde has implemented regulations on kitesurfing according to the times of the year. In summer, kitesurfing is very limited on most beaches in the municipality, with a preferred area at Boutillon. It is therefore essential to check the current municipal orders before navigating and, in high season, to favor time slots outside swimming hours and authorized areas.

In summary, Prises beach is a pleasant spot when the wind blows from SW to W, with flat/choppy water and a wide navigation area at high tide. However, it requires good reading of the tides, currents, and rocky areas, as well as particular attention to coexistence with other users.