I'm sharing my experience from the first Defiwing in Gruissan, held on May 6-7-8, 2024
A Memorable DéfiWing with Epic Weather Conditions
Unfortunately, the wind was too light for kite (May 3-4-5) and windsurf (May 9-10-11). But for wingfoil, this third edition was incredibly lucky, blessed with three days of Tramontane.
Day 1: 15-20 knots
Day 2: 20-30 knots
Day 3: 30-40 knots, full power
I arrived the day before the event and found the perfect spot right at the base of the spot, just 100 meters from the main site and a mere 10 meters from the beach. Living out of my van, it was all about simplicity and minimal comfort.
We had 393 riders, including 40 women, representing about fifteen nationalities. The event brought together pros from the GWA and IWSA circuits, alongside amateurs of all levels. It was a fantastic mix of passionate riders, all focused on pushing their limits, having fun, sharing experiences, and enjoying the camaraderie.
The site featured a gliding village with at least thirty brands, including Eleveight Wing, Duotone Wing, F-One Wing, and Select Foil. It was the perfect place to discover new products and upcoming trends. We easily connected with sales representatives, designers, and pro riders.
Boss Philippe Bru, who led the DéfiWing organization, completely mastered his role both on land and on the water. His solid experience and remarkable professionalism shone through.
The village buzzed with activity from the stands, entertainment, and interviews conducted by MC Chris from Wingclub. He's a staple at gliding events, always bringing incredible energy to get everyone hyped.
Every evening, concerts and DJs kept the party going until 2 AM. The vibe was chill and super friendly.
Competition Highlights:
Everything kicked off Monday morning with all riders collecting their bibs and transponder bracelets. The pre-race process was straightforward and efficient: a one-hour countdown, announced from the main stage after the briefing. Each participant had to manage their timing to be ready on the water for the start signal. Having already competed in long-distance events like the Raid la Tranche Île de Ré and L'Extrême Cordouan, I felt no stress.
The transponder was crucial for mandatory check-ins before and after each heat. It also tracked buoy passages. This ensured precise monitoring of rider performance.
Start Procedure: Hare Starts
The start procedure, known as hare starts, worked like this: at the end of the countdown, a rigid-hulled inflatable boat moved up the starting line between the leeward buoy and the committee boat, positioned directly upwind. Participants had to pass behind the hare before starting the race.
The Riding Spot: Gruissan
Gruissan is a large sandy beach with an offshore wind (the Tramontane) that blows from land. This makes the wind quite irregular, but also very strong. The water remains relatively flat, even when winds hit 40 knots.
The courses ran along the beach, but you had to watch out for sandbanks between Gruissan and Port la Nouvelle. Getting too close to the beach risked a sudden stop.
Key Course Features
A notable point was passing the Ayrolle pond, which connects to the sea. This area was thick with microalgae, forcing participants to jump in both directions of the course to regain good glide. It added an extra challenge to the heats.
Technical and Physical Demands
Riding 5 to 10 km long tacks and 20 to 40 km heats demanded well-tuned gear and at least minimal physical preparation. Another critical factor was managing wind disturbances caused by other wings. It was essential not to be underpowered, or you risked not being able to restart in the turbulent wind.
Event Summary
7 heats - 160 km covered
- Day 1: 2 heats of 20 km (4 round trips of 5 km per heat)
- Day 2: 3 heats of 20 km (same)
- Day 3: 1 heat of 20 km, and to cap it all off, 1 heat of 40 km, the legendary Défi race between Gruissan and Port la Nouvelle (4 round trips of 10 km)
My Results
- 9/141 Master 40+
- 81/393
- Top speed per km: 24.95 knots
I'm pretty happy with my performance and speed, especially since I only had one session on my new Select Goliath foil. A longer mast would have made me more comfortable.
Strategy and Precautions
My starts were usually in the middle of the line, where there was more space. I wanted to limit risks and avoid contact. The starting phases were critical, demanding heightened vigilance due to the limited maneuvering room.
On the tacks, where we crossed other competitors, extreme vigilance and anticipation were essential, as the risk of collision was constant.
My Gear for the Challenge
- Duotone Unit V4 Wings:
- 1 wing in 5m²
- 2 wings in 4m²
- 4 wings in 3m²
- Duotone Sky Style SLS 4’7 55L Board
- Select Goliath Foil:
- 84cm mast
- Speed front wing 565cm²
- Stab 218cm²
- Vector 82 fuselage
- 0.5° shim
For this long-distance racing format, optimal performance demanded a 100 to 115 cm mast and a nose-up board. The goal was to ride in counter-heel, load the foil, and minimize touchdowns in the chop. A 500 cm² front wing was also crucial for maximizing performance.
My Review
This remarkable edition will forever be etched in my memory, marking my first participation in the world's largest Wing Foil gathering. It was a memorable and demanding experience with so many people on the water. The wind conditions were perfect, thanks to the Tramontane.
- 160 km of speed and fun
- Many encounters and shared moments
This challenge is best experienced with friends to truly enjoy the adventure.
Nothing would have been possible without my amazing partners, GlissEvolution, Duotone, and Select. Thank you for allowing me to ride with high-end, high-performance equipment.
Key Features
| Section | Key takeaway |
|---|---|
| A Memorable DéfiWing with Epic Weather Conditions | Unfortunately, the wind was too light for kite (May 3-4-5) and windsurf (May 9-10-11). |
| Competition Side | Everything kicked off Monday morning with all riders collecting their bibs and transponder bracelets. |
| Start Procedure: Hare Starts | The starting procedure, known as rabbit starts, worked like this: at the end of the countdown, a RIB would move up the starting line between the leeward buoy and the boat… |
| The Riding Spot: Gruissan | Gruissan is a large sandy beach with offshore wind (the Tramontane), which comes from land, making the wind quite irregular but very strong. |
| Key Course Features | A significant point was passing the Ayrolle pond, which connects to the sea. |
| Technical and Physical Demands | Completing 5 to 10 km long tacks and 20 to 40 km long races demanded well-tuned equipment and at least some physical preparation. |
| Event Summary | Seven races covered 160 km. Day 1 featured two 20 km races, each with four 5 km round trips. Day 2 saw three 20 km races, following the same format. Day 3 included one 20 km race, and to cap it all off, one final race. |
| My Results | I finished 9th out of 141 in the Master 40+ category and 81st out of 393 overall. My top speed per km was 24.95 knots. I'm quite pleased with my performance and speed, especially considering I only had one session with my gear beforehand. |
Consider this
Key considerations and limitations noted in this article:
- For wingfoil, this third edition was incredibly lucky, blessed with three full days of Tramontane wind.
- The courses ran along the beach, but riders had to watch out for sandbanks between Gruissan and Port la Nouvelle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Made the DéfiWing Memorable with Exceptional Weather?
Unfortunately, the wind was too light for kite (May 3-5) and windsurf (May 9-11). However, for wingfoil, this third edition was incredibly lucky, blessed with three full days of Tramontane wind.
Competition Highlights: What You Need to Know
Everything kicked off Monday morning with all competitors collecting their race numbers and transponder wristbands. The pre-race process was straightforward and efficient: a one-hour countdown, launched from the main stage after the briefing.
Start Procedure: Hare Starts?
The start procedure, known as hare starts, worked like this: at the end of the countdown, a rigid-hulled inflatable boat moved up the starting line between the leeward buoy and the committee boat, positioned directly upwind. Participants had to pass behind the hare before starting the race.
What should you know about the Riding Spot: Gruissan?
Gruissan is a large sandy beach with offshore wind (the Tramontane), which comes from land, making the wind quite irregular but very strong. The water remains relatively flat, even with winds reaching 40 knots.
Course Highlights: What to Remember
A key challenge was passing the Ayrolle pond, which connects to the sea. This area was thick with microalgae, forcing participants to jump in both directions of the course to regain good glide. This added an extra layer of difficulty to the heats.
Technical and Physical Demands: What to Remember
Riding 5 to 10 km long tacks and 20 to 40 km heats demanded well-tuned gear and at least some physical preparation. Another crucial point was managing the wind disturbances caused by other wings.
Got a question about the gear mentioned here?
The GlissEvolution team rides what they sell. They are available to answer your questions in person at the Pornichet store or by phone.
