Le Morne Windsurfing

The windsurfing launch area is in front of the ION Club windsurfing centre at Main Beach. Directly off the beach is the big lagoon, which is protected by the reef about 600m away from the beach. The beach shelves gently and is sandy. The lagoon is sailable at all tides except when it is really low, when it becomes too shallow to windsurf. The tidal range is about 1.2m max. In the mornings when the winds are usually a bit lighter, beginners can learn in the shallow and sandy flat water just in front the of the windsurf centre. This is also an ideal opportunity to take out kids windsurfing. As the wind rises in the morning, this becomes the perfect launching spot for intermediate and advanced windsurfers to launch and blast in and out in cross shore conditions, The water remains flat until mid to high tide, when a surface chop develops on the water. There is no shorebreak. As it gets windier the area is then shared with kitesurfers who either launch at the Main Beach or sail upwind from the Kitesurf training area around the corner to the left. There are a few spots in front of the Main Beach that get reformed waves rolling through to stand up and break. These are generally knee to waist high,, and provide a safe learning environment for those who have never sailed in waves before. If the winds are light, it is possible to take a windsup out to play in these smaller waves. At high tide the current can be very strong, and can take the sailor out through the channel between the reefs if they get into trouble. There is a lookout at the ION Centre, and a rescue boat, but unless you are hiring your equipment from the centre, you will be charged a high price to be rescued. If the tide is very high and the wind very strong, coupled to a large outer ocean swell, then the ION Club centre will order its clients off the water, and no rescue cover will be available. A shorty wetsuit is recommended in the winter months, as well as booties to protect your feet from the coral if it is shallow. These can be hired from the ION Club.

Wave Sailing

The wavesailing options at Le Morne are extensive and world class. This is the ideal location for both wavesailing beginners, as well as the best wavesailors in the world, who can push their limits when the conditions are big.

Platin Rouge

This is a wave for the more advanced, as it can get very shallow, especially at low tide. Being inside of the main reef, the wave is smaller than the other breaks.

Chameaux

Chameaux is positioned at the start of the long wall that becomes One Eye. The wave is hollow and really shallow, and therefore suited to advanced wave sailors with little chance of coming off their boards. The wind is cross shore from the right when riding the wave.

Best Gear To Use

Beginners

Large floaty boards with centre boards.

Intermediates

125 litre free ride boards for learning waterstarting

Advanced

Once the tradewinds are blowing force 4 to 5,, the most popular board style and size is a 95 to 105 litre freewave, with freewave sails up to 6.7. When the winds are blowing over 20 knots (force 5 to 6), 76 to 86 freewave boards can be used.

Advanced wave riders

Full wave boards for those sailing the wave breaks Those bringing their own gear to Mauritius tend to leave their equipment rigged up outside their hotel rooms, which although officially not allowed by the hotels, seems to be tolerated.