Foil and sensations, the Glénans make the sailing school take off

Kitefoil at the Glénans school © Florent Kermarrec - Les Glénans

As a sports diver and foil in all its forms, the Glénans are launching courses dedicated to new sailing practices. We have tested for you the "Sensations" offer of the famous school in the Finistère archipelago.

Anticipating tomorrow's sail

The Glénans sailing school no longer presents itself. A pioneer in navigation training, its image is that of the maritime tradition and traditional cruising. However, the Glénans follow the evolution of pleasure boating and even want to anticipate it. "There was no foil school today, while flying boats are developing. We want to anticipate this evolution," explains Olivier Sanz, Deputy Director of the Concarneau site. With the new "Sensations" offer, the Glénans want to democratize the sailing of tomorrow, through planning and flight.

Modern sailing in all its forms

The "Sensations" offer is available in several formats. Dinghy enthusiasts will sail in RS Aero, with or without foil and in Waszp, a standard foil moth. Those who prefer to have two hulls will have the choice between the SL 16 catamarans and the Nacra 15, boats of the young world championship. Windfoils and kitefoils complete the offer.

Windfoil in Les Glénans (Rights: Gilles Dedeurwaerder)

No need to be an expert

If the foil still has an elitist image, access to in-flight navigation is becoming easier and easier. I can attest to that. Having more of a culture of big boats, my agility on dinghies is quite limited. However, even if I don't count the desalting when I took over the boat, I was able to make some very short flights in less than half a day's sailing on the RS Aero. The instability of the platform, once out of the water, seems to be easily overcome with more intensive navigation.

RS Aero (Rights: Gilles Dedeurwaerder)

The feeling is not limited to theft. The wind being more sustained the next day, I was satisfied with a drift without a foil. The small 4 m sailboat with only 30 kg of hull already offered great planning sensations. Thanks to the panel of supports, from the RS Aero without foil to the Waszp, the Glénans open the "Sensations" offer to a wide public, with the only "intermediate" level as a prerequisite.

Waszp (Rights: Gilles Dedeurwaerder)

Safety and idyllic setting

Faster, foil supports require a tighter frame. With a motor boat instructor for 6 boats, safety is well ensured. Welcomed on Bananec Island, in the heart of the Glénan archipelago, trainees can enjoy an idyllic body of water, protected from the swell, but open to the wind. The bay offers an easy and safe launch. More engaging than reality TV, I fully recommend boarding for Sensation Island!

Tariffs

Drifting or Kitesurfing courses (7 days in June): 630euros

Catamaran course (7 days in September): 650euros

More articles on the theme