Windsurfing at Malo-les-Bains (Dunkirk)

Windsurfing at Malo-les-Bains is a popular water sport on the North Sea coast of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. Malo-les-Bains is the seaside district of Dunkirk, about 5 km from the town centre, and its long, gently shelving sandy beach catches the steady winds that blow across the southern North Sea. The wide beach gives windsurfers plenty of room to launch and recover, and the shallow, sandy bottom makes it a forgiving place to learn.

Lessons and equipment hire are offered by the Club de Voile de Dunkerque on Avenue de Bray-Dunes. A two-hour beginner lesson costs about €40, and hiring equipment costs around €20 per hour for those who already windsurf. Board, sail and wetsuit are provided, so participants only need swimwear, a towel and footwear that can get wet. A windproof layer for the beach and sun protection are also advisable, as the coast is often breezy.

Beginners need to be able to swim and should be in reasonable general health, since learning to balance and uphaul the sail is physically tiring. Instructors group participants by age and ability and may set minimum ages for lessons. The first session usually covers rigging, wind direction, balancing on the board and turning, using large, stable beginner boards. The club's instructors supervise from the shore or from a safety boat, and a briefing covers right-of-way, signalling for help and staying within the designated area. Rescue is handled by club staff, with the local coastal rescue services backing up emergencies.

The main season runs from May to September, with June to August being the warmest and the most popular for lessons. Water temperatures stay cool even in summer, so a wetsuit is important. Conditions to avoid include offshore winds that push riders out to sea, strong storm winds, fog and very low tide periods when the water recedes far from the beach. Lessons may be postponed if the wind is too light or too strong.