Return to the Home Page

Hey, all you wind addicts:

We are back with a new discovery for August. Check our pick this month: "Canadian Hawaii" not too many people know about.

This month’s pick is Magdalen Islands (Îles de la Madeleine):

Magdalen Islands are Canada’s best kept windsurfing and kitesurfing secrete, located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The major airport is on Iles De La Madeleine (YGR).

Magdalen islands with their constant winds, chain of islands connected via sand dunes and spectacular nature are a true paradise for wind sports. Magdalens are ranked as one of the world's top 10 destinations for wind sports.

The best wind and the water temperature are from August to the beginning of October. The islands are also called the "Canadian Hawaii". They host some of the most important windsurfing and kitesurfing competitions in the world, both amateur and professional (PWA World Cup, the Canadian Windsurfing Championship, the PKRA Kiteboarding World Cup, the North American Kitesurf Challenge).

Wind speed varies from 9 to 22 knots, the prevailing winds being from the south-west during the summer. The temperature of the seawater around the Islands usually stands at around 18ºC (64ºF) in mid-August. Water in lagoons and bays can reach temperatures higher than 20ºC (68ºF). Bring your "wetsuit" and be ready to navigate in all types of conditions. The lagoons offer the flat water conditions but if you sail out the conditions may vary from bump-and-jump to some serious waves. Shallow lagoons with uncrowned beaches are scattered everywhere. You will not have problems finding a beach here.

Windsurfing courses and rentals can be arranged in the Bassin Bay via Centre nautique de l'Istorlet. They have Gun Sails and Angulo boards. The 2 hour course cost about $90 CAD. As for the kitesurfing, unfortunately rental is not available. If you are interested in taking lessons contact Aerosport Carrefour d'Aventures kitesurfing school. They teach according to IKO standards, on private land. Their lessons are also supported by Sea-Doos on the water. The 7 hours course which includes the equipment costs about $649 CAD.

The sailing experience around Magdalen islands is also a discovery trip. The coastal environment with its succession of cliffs, caves, stone columns and arches rising out of the sea is truly unique and breathtakingly beautiful. The red sandstone cliffs take spectacular shapes: columns, swags, towers, corbels, funnels or saw teeth. Les Demoiselles cliffs at Havre-Aubert Island are one of the geological jewels of the archipelago; when seen from the water they are a spectacular sight.

If you want to take a break, go explore the nature reserves with its scenic hiking trails and abundant wildlife or take a sea kayak and paddle closer to the cliffs, caves and grottos.

Happy Sailing,

Windresorts Administration.

Check out www.windresorts.com for all the free info you need; we don’t sell travel, our goal is to provide unbiased info and advice on wind destinations.

Comments? Ideas? Feedback? We'd love to hear from you? Just reply to this e-zine and tell us what you think.