How to go sand-yachting in Boulogne-sur-Mer?

This very special sport was in fact born in the region and continues to grow in popularity.

The concept? You get into a cockpit mounted on three wheels, virtually grazing the sand. The vehicle is propelled by a big sail, just like a sailing boat, but you glide along the sand. At first sight, sand-yachting may look a bit hair-raising, but in fact it's a sport that anyone can do. You don't need any special physical condition to do this sport, and you can do it on your own from the age of 8 upwards. Sand-yachting also has the advantage of being a "green activity". It's an outdoor sport, in touch with nature, between land and sea. Lastly sand-yachting allows you to enjoy yourself while respecting the environment: you'll glide along the beaches without polluting.

The Opal Coast is an ideal place to learn to sand-yacht, as this sport needs long beaches where you have the space to go on long runs. Hauts-de-Fance region is therefore perfect for this. You can start by taking a group lesson, often lasting 2 hours. You'll be supervised by a qualified instructor who'll propose a fun lesson suited to your needs all along the session. You'll learn the basics on a cuircuit with this first session, then - weather permitting - you'll be able to go out for a sail along the beach. No particular skills are required to take the controls in the cockpit, but you'll have to come properly equipped. Don't forget to wear waterproof shoes, a windcheater and goggles to protect you against the seaspray and sun. Then you'll just have to put on your helmet, and away you go!

For a successful stay in Boulogne-sur-Mer, there are several activities that will allow you to discover the seaside. A visit to the Nausicaá aquarium will tell you more, for example, about marine biodiversity and even more if you take the the behind-the-scenes visit of the aquarium 

After that, the great beaches of the Opal Coast will be all yours, from your cockpit as you race at high speed along the sand! You can't miss it, the Club de Char à Voile de Boulogne-sur-Mer is just a few hundred metres away from the aquarium. Whether you want to give it a go on your own, with your family or friends, or you prefer a course to make faster progress, you have the choice between several offers. You can also go sand-yachting in other seaside towns along the Opal Coast. You can learn to sand-yacht at the Club Nautique de Wimereux in Saint-Jean bay, and "Les Drakkars" club  allows you to play with the wind in Hardelot.

If sailing is something your really enjoy, don't hesitate to try out other watersports that are popular in the region, such as windsurfing or dinghy sailing. The Yacht Club Boulonnais is the ideal place for this with courses suited to every level of proficiency and one-to-one lessons for the most motivated. Catamaran, dinghy or Optimist… There's a great choice to be sure of having fun on the water!