làThe place to enjoy the seaFeedbackRelax Posted on 03.07.2023
As soon as the palmy days are here, the call of the sea becomes irresistible. For a fun and rejuvenating activity, we chose a water sport: the stand-up paddle. What better way to jump into the water? Jean-Baptiste and Adèle, two enthusiasts who lived the experience, tell us everything about their romantic paddle board tour. Here’s what we can expect: big laughs, many falls and wow factor guaranteed.
Rendez-vous at “la pointe du siège” of Ouistreham
Nearby the Port de Ouistreham, the Centre Nautique Océan welcomed us and provided us paddle boarding equipment. We were given a safety briefing by Alain and he taught us the basics of paddle boarding. Then, we were heading towards the watersportscenter with our material, in the direction of the estuary bay.
Finding the balance
Once the tide times have been checked and the neoprene suit put on, it is time to practice on the board, in the water! However… Finding your balance was easier said than done. After some loud laughter and some paddle strokes, we started to feel comfortable on the board. If we had one piece of advice to give to someone starting out on a paddle board, it is to look as far as you can towards the horizon.
The quietness of l’esturaire de l’Orne
Drifting away from the shore after paddling for about ten minutes, we reached a spot from which we could see the Ouistreham’ lighthouse which guided our paddle boarding tour. We enjoyed the natural scenery around us and its quietness, while all we could hear were the splashing of water on the board and the cries of seagulls. Natural sandbanks sheltered us from waves and wind, allowing this area of water to be the ideal place to paddle board or to swim around and introduce people to the local water activities. The temperature was quite pleasant, making it the perfect opportunity to take a few refreshing dives into the water.
A preserved environment
This side of the coast hosts a large number of species of flora and fauna. We headed to the East part of the bay, a place where seabirds were resting under the luminous sunlight of the Calvados region. Our getaway brought us to the observation cabin at “La Pointe du Siège” where if you’re lucky, you can even get the chance to see the local star: the harbour seal. Unfortunately we did not see it that day. It is a wonderful spot to practice stand up paddle boarding.
Drifting with a feeling of well-being and plenitude
Besides the exercise it gives you, paddle boarding was ideal to soak up the scenery of “La Pointe du Siège”. As the paddle boards were drifting toward the middle of the bay, we felt like we were in a different world. Only a few minutes were needed to sense a total change of scenery as we were surrounded by natural beauty.
It was time to go back to the watersportcenter to end this stand-up paddle boarding tour! But we were already thinking about the board sport we would like to try next time: paddle boarding was so relaxing and amazing. And since we can choose between kayaking, land sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing or wing surfing, we know we will have busy holidays!
Paddle trips in the Bay of Orne are organised by the OCEAN water sports centre during the season:
We like
- The view of the Ouistreham lighthouse
- The peace and diversity of Pointe du Siège
- The brand new super water sports centre
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