After days filled with adrenaline and excitement on the water, athletes take a breather to discover the local area, soaking in the beauty and culture of this charming place
GWA Wingfoil World Cup France 2024
6-14 April, Leucate
Nestled in the picturesque South of France, the quaint town of La Franqui seamlessly blends two distinct worlds: it serves as both a haven for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling enthusiasts, while exuding a charming Mediterranean ambiance with its array of small restaurants and nearby oyster farms.
Mondial du Vent-most talked about watersports events in media
The Mondial du Vent has successfully hosted 27 editions of water-sports competitons here in Leucate and it has remained one of the largest events for water-sports gatherings in Europe.
The Mondial du Vent opens the season in Leucate in the best possible way, with a popular event for waterspouts enthusiasts and spectators. “Over the past 27 years, we’ve been able to renew ourselves to reach the highest level today. Windsurfing and its disciplines have become the mainstay of the local economy, and the Mondial is now one of the most talked-about events in the media. We’ve shown that wind is an inexhaustible source of energy”, enthused Leucate’s mayor, Michel Py.
Next generation riders
The Mondial du Vent offers an amazing opportunity for the young, up and coming riders to meet their role models in the wingfoiling and understand how they too, can become a top wingfoil athlete. The event also hosts initiation sessions, demonstrations of skateboarding, BMX and mountain bike trials, as well as open-air concerts.
Following several days of intense competition, the tramontane winds had finally settled, creating a picturesque backdrop for the local French community to mingle with the world’s top wingfoilers. An autograph session and wingfoil lessons awaited eager young riders on the beach.
Remarkably, nearly half of the competitors in the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Leucate hail from the South Coast of France. With Leucate boasting 300 days of wind per year, it serves as an ideal playground for wingfoilers to hone their skills and progress.
Exploring Leucate
Viglamo camping located in La Franqui has proven to be the ideal accommodation for our riders and crew. Mornings are energized with gym sessions, while evenings offer a plunge into the jacuzzi after a long day of wingfoiling on the water.
Aside from the watersports aspect, Leucate town is also very much worth a visit. The vibrant outdoor cafes and charming colourful streets promise a magical day out in town. It’s the perfect summer getaway.
Surrounded by mountains Leucate presents an extraordinary setting an amazing spot for extended hikes, thrilling paragliding adventures, and even winter skiing escapades. Local rider Bastien Escofet (FRA) tells us a bit about what makes living in Leucate so appealing.
“The wind is really good for training and we always have great weather, there is also amazing local wine and oyster places which makes for a great day out when there is no wind. They also have amazing bike rides around this area too.”
For the final day of the Mondial du Vent event there will be a foil tow-in competition where riders will have the opportunity to showcase their skills behind the boat. Make sure to tune in to GWA social media pages to see all the live updates and actions unfold.
Event Information
- Location: Leucate, France
- Dates: 6-14 April, 2024
- The official Race Notice and event schedule can be found here.
- All event information is here.
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Liveticker will be updated throughout the day. An highlight video will be published after the event. Written reports will be posted to the website at the end of each competition day.
