Discovering the paddle in La Tranche-sur-Mer

17 September 2018

Far from the quietness of boat trips on the canals of the Marais poitevin, from Coulon to Marans, the fine sand beaches of South Vendée also offer numerous activities. The burgeoning stand-up paddle tests beginners’ balance and inevitably offers nice and rarely controlled dives. Hopefully, water temperature is nice in La Tranche-sur-Mer in August!

Wave School, the expert of windsurf and stand-up paddle in La Tranche-sur-Mer in Vendée

Located on the Maupas beach, between the jetty and the main beach, the Wave School is an institution of the city. Specialised in windsurfing and paddle, you can have introduction and refresher training. If booking a training with instructor is highly recommended, especially in high season, the high number of paddles gives you an opportunity for improvisation. Slip into a wetsuit (lent by Wave School), listen to the recommendations of the practice of paddle and off to the Atlantic Ocean. To discover and get used to this inflatable board and its paddle, you can train on the water body. A few meters away from the beach, this closed area allows you to acquaint yourself with its equipment in private, without facing the waves. Once you feel ready, you can face the swell with your paddle!

Wave school in La Tranche sur Mer.

Falls and laughs guaranteed with the sea paddle

Early this afternoon, the Tranche beach is still quiet. At least if you’re close to the jetty. We are lucky, it’s high tide. As soon as the board is on the water, you can feel how difficult it is. If the board is quite stable, our balance is at stake from the outset. You paddle on your knees with caution. Way too easy. We get accustomed to it despite the waves bringing us closer to the jetty. In just a few paddle strokes, we’re getting further away from it quite easily as the paddle effortlessly glides on the water. Once the manoeuvres of the paddle have been understood, it is time to get serious. We courageously and fiercely stand up. Ne second, two seconds, ten seconds, a wave bigger than the other and down in the water. Hopefully, water temperature will not make some of us regret to refuse the wetsuit lend. Over time, balance is less precarious, time spent standing is getting longer and longer. We go back to the water, confident and fierce, to share our accomplishments before losing the balance again and diving in the Atlantic again.

A cheerful aquatic activity

Whether standing up or on your knees, paddle is a real fun activity to enjoy with your family or your friends. You will definitively see nice falls and totally improvised dives. If after one hour you still don’t fully control the paddle, it can still be overcome. What’s important is to have a good time, laugh a lot and make fun of your neighbour while trying to maintain your balance.

Sea paddle is an ideal aquatic activity for beginners and experts and is waiting for you! Wave School in La Tranche-sur-Mer (Vendée).

Paddle in La Tranche sur Mer in the Aiguillon Bay.

Other water activities are praticable in the Marais poitevin: boat, canoeing, surfing, windsurfing… there is necessarily for all tastes!