La Baule KiteDerby, SUP, 2013

[jonysan]

September 2012, La Baule hosted a round of the European Kite tour, “ The La Baule KItederby”
The name says Kitederby but there is more to it than that, SUP is becoming a big part of the event, and as La Baule/Pornichet is just down the road from GONG H.Q. Patrice and David were there with the GONG tent, loads of boards, and a certainly relaxed craziness, It was good.
So what happens? Well last year there were serious SUP races, 5kms and 8kms (bring a race board) and fun races closer to the beach, (bring anything) ,most of the onshore races were competitive or fun depending where you wanted to finish, some were just funny, OK START, out to a buoy, round and back to the beach, down a beer, out again and round the buoy, back to the beach, down a beer, repeat or fall over! Add to that good music, helicopters filming the event, lots of displays and tents, and great race direction. I don’t know if MINI Europe (Cars) is sponsoring the event this year, but for 2012 they came to the beach fully loaded, very professional.

Two more things, The organisers put together a very good competitors goodie bag, whatever you call it !, and everyone from the organisers to the competitors was really welcoming.

September 2013, they are doing it again,

I’ve put a link below to one of the campsites near the beach, there are quite a few, but maybe check the campsite will still be open in late September.
http://www.brittanytourism.com/accommod ... ng-bel-air

Here are three links to Hotels very near the competition site, the first , the Escale Oceania is less expensive, the next two, L’Hermitage, and the Royal Thelasso are not cheap, but definitely worth it for a treat.
http://www.oceaniahotels.com/hotel-esca ... t-la-baule
http://www.lucienbarriere.com/en/luxury ... /home.html http://www.lucienbarriere.com/en/luxury ... /home.html

La Baule and Pornichet are a bit like Bournemouth and Poole (England reference) they both share the same waterfront bay, Pornichet has a good Saturday market and is more relaxed, La Baule is more Cafes and Shopping, both are beautiful.

Don’t know if the official KiteDerby 2013 website is up yet, but if not then soon.