Stand-up paddling in Vieux-Boucau: a unique experience in the Landes region

In the south of the Landes, Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains is a charming seaside resort popular with families and sports enthusiasts looking for relaxation and water-based activities. With its marine lake and wide, sandy beaches, Vieux-Boucau is the ideal place for stand-up paddling.

Welcome to the Landes, home of the stand-up paddle

For those who don't know what it's all about, stand-up paddling (or SUP) is a water sports activity in which you stand on a board and propel yourself using a paddle. Popular for its simplicity and accessibility, SUP offers a unique experience combining sport, relaxation and discovery of nature. In recent years, this ancestral sport originating in Hawaii has become a fashionable pastime on the beaches and lakes of the Landes region. The lakes offer stress-free paddling for beginners.

We tested paddle boarding on Vieux-Boucau lake and it worked!

When the weather's fine, the marine lake at Port d'Albret in Vieux-Boucau becomes a haven for families and stand-up paddle enthusiasts. Set just a stone's throw from the Atlantic Ocean, in the heart of the Landes forest, it stretches over 52 hectares between Vieux-Boucau and Soustons-Plage. It offers an idyllic setting for a peaceful stand-up paddle experience. The water temperature is on average 3 to 4 degrees warmer than the ocean.

In the middle of the lake is a wooded island, which has become a haven for many seabirds. A unique feature of the Vieux-Boucau marine lake is that it is linked to the ocean. So you can combine your paddleboarding session on the lake with a trip down the Soustons current, which flows into the Atlantic at Vieux-Boucau.

> Access to the lake: the lac de Vieux-Boucau is located 3 km from the 5-star Lou Pignada campsite. Head towards the beach at Lac Marin de Port d'Albret. For parking, there is a car park on the Avenue des Pêcheurs and in the Allée des Lamaneurs.

Who can paddle?

Stand-up paddling is a sport open to everyone. You don't need to be particularly sporty to go paddling in the Landes. Children can start from the age of 8, provided they know how to swim. Choose calm bodies of water, such as Vieux-Boucau lake, as they offer a stable, wave-free surface, ideal for stand-up paddle beginners. Is it difficult? Yes and no. The main difficulty is keeping your balance on the board. After one or two hours' practice, you'll really get the hang of it.

Getting started with stand-up paddle: a SUP school in Vieux-Boucau

In Vieux-Boucau and Soustons, several stand-up paddle schools offer introductory sessions to help you learn the basic techniques: standing up and keeping your balance, getting back on your board, paddling and turning around.

- Soustons Stand Up Paddle: Discover the Vieux Boucau marine lake on a stand up paddle. From the age of 6 and provided you know how to swim, you can enjoy a unique outing. The activity is supervised by a qualified instructor. The supervised walk around the island is the most accessible discipline for anyone who wants to try stand-up paddling. You will be provided with a paddle and a lifejacket or buoyancy belt. You'll need to bring a pair of water shoes.

Paddle hire in Vieux Boucau

Most paddle schools offer equipment hire. Prices vary according to the length of hire and the type of equipment you choose. You can hire a stand-up paddle from €14 per hour. For a guided tour (1 hour) with a state-certified instructor, you can expect to pay €25. For a mangrove descent (1h45), prices are around €35 per adult.