Les-Portes-en-Ré

The beach is generally oriented facing north / northeast of the Fier, which gives a side-shore to side-on wind for the dominant winds from the west to northwest. With wind from N to NE, one is closer to side-off in some areas of the channel, which requires a good knowledge of the water surface.

The spot works around the Bucheron bank, with large areas of shallow water at low tide. At falling and low tide, the sandbanks uncover and create more flat to slightly choppy water surfaces between the banks and the beach. One can navigate in a wide corridor between the beach and the bank, but it is always important to keep an eye on the depth and on areas that uncover quickly.

At rising tide, the sea quickly rises along the Bucheron bank and fills the natural “pools.” The water surface becomes more choppy, with tight chop and sometimes a small wind swell in the channel's axis. Navigation remains pleasant, but depth markers change quickly and one must anticipate their downwinds to avoid getting too close to the channel of the Fier.

Launching is done directly from the sandy beach, staying well within the area dedicated to kitesurfing, used notably by local schools. The kites are launched on the sand, with a decent but not infinite space, so it is important to organize the kites and lines to avoid crossings, especially on thermal or training days. In summer, there may be time restrictions (navigation allowed outside of peak swimming hours), so it is necessary to check local signage and municipal orders.

The most interesting navigation areas are located between the beach and the bank, staying far from the channel of Anse du Fourneau which leads to the Fier. Schools recommend staying “between the bank and the beach” to enjoy the more moderate current and shallow water. The closer one gets to the channel and the exit to the open sea, the stronger the current accelerates and the water surface can become disordered.

Locally, the spot is used for kitesurfing lessons in shallow water around low tide, which shows that conditions can be very suitable for progression when tide times are well chosen. However, one must be particularly attentive to the evolution of the water level, as the sea rises and falls quickly in this area, and some areas that are navigable at one moment can become too shallow or conversely fill up very quickly.