France
The Plougouri beach, located in Plougastel-Daoulas in Brittany, is a quiet spot on the Brest harbor. It features a beautiful stretch of sand facing the sea, with an unobstructed view of the Brest harbor.
It is a favored place for local practitioners due to its proximity to Brest and easy access from the road to Chapelle Saint Jean. A kitesurfing school is established here, making the spot friendly for sessions.
The atmosphere is calm, with few crowds even in season, and parking is right next to it for easy loading and unloading.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
chop
flatThe Plougouri beach spot works well with a wind from west to northwest, which comes side-on relative to the north-facing beach. Launching is done directly from the sand, which is wide and obstacle-free, with a launch area at the water's edge protected by the harbor.
The navigation area is spacious in the Brest harbor, but you must stay clear of boat mooring areas and the access channel to the port. Depending on the tides, the water surface changes from flat to chop at low tide when the wind picks up, with short waves offshore if there is Atlantic swell coming in.
The best times are during rising tide for more space, and be cautious of ferries that regularly pass through the harbor. The Kite Coaching school on-site offers marked areas for lessons, ideal for progressing safely.
The ideal conditions are a wind of 15 to 25 knots from the northwest, side-on, with rising tide for maximum space. It's perfect for freestyle or light wave sessions.
The water surface is generally flat to chop thanks to the protection of the harbor, with small waves of 50 cm max in strong wind. At low tide, it becomes more technical with sand showing, but it remains rideable.
The currents are moderate in the harbor, influenced by the strong tidal coefficients of Brittany. The main channel towards Brest can accelerate the flow, especially in strong currents. It's important to check the tide times to avoid drifting into maritime navigation areas.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 12 m² in typical conditions of 15-20 knots. Go larger in winter for lighter winds, and use a 7 in strong gusts.
The prevailing wind comes from the northwest, consistent due to the Atlantic depression. We often have 15 to 25 knots in the afternoon, especially from September to April. There is no specific local name, but it is the classic Breton wind, reliable over the harbor.
The climate in Brittany Finistère is oceanic, with mild temperatures year-round. Summer averages around 20°C, while in winter it rarely drops below 8°C. The intermediate seasons are ideal for kiting with little precipitation.
The depth is gradual with a predominantly sandy bottom. You can stand up to 50-100 meters from the shore at low tide, which makes it easier for beginners to launch.
The water remains cool year-round, around 12-14°C in summer and 9-11°C in winter. A 5/3 wetsuit is essential outside the summer season.
