France
Longchamps beach, located in Saint-Lunaire between Dinard and Saint-Briac, is known to surfers and riders for its exposed orientation and regular waves. The spot is about 600 meters long and bordered by two points that frame the water area. Attendance increases rapidly as soon as conditions are favorable, and kitesurfing is regulated in the summer.
The beach offers a simple and practical setting with beach bars and surf schools nearby. The central jetty and a rock that emerges at low tide are elements to be aware of before heading out on the water.
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.
wavewaveThe spot mainly works with west-northwest and northwest to northeast winds according to various authors, which often results in side-shore to side-on wind depending on the exact location of the launch. The practice area is quite restricted, and launching is done from the central beach near the jetty when the tide and attendance allow. The bottom is sandy over most of the bay, but a rock emerges towards the center of the spot at low tide and should be avoided. At high tide, the jetty can disrupt the wind and create turbulence zones behind it. In summer, kitesurfing is prohibited on the beaches of the municipality between June 15 and September 15 from 10 AM to 8 PM, which significantly reduces the allowed time slots. The waves are generally more consistent and cleaner here than at other local spots like the Sillon, attracting surfers and windsurfers and reducing space for kiters.
The best conditions for kitesurfing at Longchamps are moderate northwest to northeast winds, accompanied by well-oriented swell (northwest) for clean waves; these regimes offer a good compromise between power and wave quality.
The water conditions vary with the tide: at high tide, the waves can be more powerful and the water covers the rocks, while at low tide, banks and a rock emerge, altering the wave profile. In northwest swell conditions, the spot produces quality waves, often bigger and cleaner than on the Sillon. The side-on/side-shore wind tends to make the water choppy but manageable for experienced wave riders.
The current is generally weak to moderate along the beach but can be more pronounced near the points and the access channel. The Garde Guérin (point to the left of the spot) can create areas of current and local turbulence; it is important to monitor the tide coefficients as the geometry of the spot changes significantly with the water level.
The kite size will depend on the wind and the rider's size, but in moderate wind at this spot, common sizes for average riders are generally between 8 and 11 m²; in strong wind and gusts, it is advisable to reduce to 7–9 m².
The local wind regime is often dominated by depressions coming from the Atlantic bringing west and northwest winds; the spot works well with northwest to northeast winds according to local forecasts. Local guides indicate that the spot is favorable in north and northwest regimes, where the wind is mostly on-shore/side-shore and creates rideable waves; southwest to south winds can make the area off-shore and smooth the swell but are less frequent.
The climate along the English Channel is oceanic with mild winters and temperate summers. Average temperatures in winter range around 5–8°C and in summer around 18–22°C. The best seasons for swell activity are autumn and spring, but winds can be present year-round.
The depth is gradual with a predominantly sandy bottom; you can stand for several dozen meters at low tide, while at high tide, the depth increases significantly and covers the banks and rocks.
The water is cold in winter and spring (around 8–12°C), mild in summer (around 16–19°C). A 4/3 or 5/4/3 full wetsuit is recommended outside of mid-summer; in summer, a 3/2 is sufficient for most sessions.
