Catamaran, windsurfing, stand-up paddle... sporting holidays on Lake Soustons

Make the most of your holiday in the Landes to hoist the mainsail and master the secrets of the wind. Head for Lake Soustons, a real paradise for light sailing enthusiasts. Catamaran, windsurf or stand-up paddle? We'll help you choose the water sport that's sure to thrill you this summer!

Lake Soustons, the ocean without the waves!

On the south coast of the Landes, between Seignosse and Vieux-Boucau, just a few minutes from the Lou Pignada campsite, Lac de Soustons is "the place to be" if you want to indulge in the pleasures of the water and taste the joys of effortless sailing... or almost!

Suitable for beginners and experienced sailors alike, this vast 380-hectare lake in the Landes region lends itself perfectly to a whole host of water sports activities. To help you make your choice, here are 3 water sports to try out during your camping holiday in the Landes!

Catamarans for your first taste of racing

Derived from the Polynesian outrigger canoe, the catamaran is still going strong. Since it first appeared in sailing clubs in the 1970s, the catamaran has enjoyed undiminished success.

Thanks to its two hulls, the catamaran offers more stability than a traditional monohull, making it easier and less physical to handle for beginners. It's also a safe first approach to sailing, with virtually no risk of capsizing. Stable, fast and safe, catamarans are also great fun to sail, allowing you to make rapid progress and enjoying yourself immediately.

Another advantage of catamarans is that you can start at a very early age. If your children are keen sailors, there's nothing to stop them tacking for the first time at the age of 7. With a larger sail area than the Optimist and faster than the Optimist, the mini-catamaran allows young sailors to get their first sensations of glide and speed from the very first sessions.

Windsurfing, back in fashion

Created in the mid-1960s, then abandoned for a while, windsurfing has been making a comeback since the 2000s.

Halfway between surfing and sailing, this board sport is attracting more and more fans, thanks in particular to developments in equipment and new learning techniques that encourage a more fun, less complex approach to the discipline. Windsurfing beginners often opt for the Wind SUP, a hybrid board that combines windsurfing and SUP, and is lighter and easier to steer.

Although windsurfing requires you to be in good physical condition and to be a good swimmer, a few hours' tuition is all you need to master the basics and enjoy the thrill of the ride to the full. At what age can you start windsurfing? From the age of 9 (or 1.30 m), if your child can swim and can lift the sail on land.

Stand-up paddling (SUP), the other fun way of gliding

Stand-up paddling, or SUP for those in the know, has been very much in vogue over the last few years, invading beaches, lakes and rivers. This success is no accident. Stand-up paddling is a water sport that's accessible to everyone, even the less sporty.

A fun, versatile pastime that's easy to learn, SUP is a gentle introduction to the pleasures of the water. All you need to do is know how to swim! Standing on a surfboard, you can paddleboard on calm waters, just a few metres from the shore, without any real difficulty.

When it comes to technique, all you need is a good sense of balance. It only takes a few minutes to become familiar with the board and be able to move around on the water. It's child's play, since stand-up paddling can be practised from the age of 9. Try it and you'll love it!

So, are you ready to take to the water?

Whether you want to learn the basics, improve your skills, perfect your technique or simply enjoy the pleasure of gliding along the water in complete safety, a number of schools, sailing clubs and nautical centres offer courses and individual lessons at all levels, supervised by qualified instructors. Don't hesitate to ask us for advice, we'll help you choose the formula best suited to your needs!