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With 25 world championship titles and holding the world speed record (98.66 km/h), Antoine Albeau is a living windsurfing legend. Born in La Rochelle but a lifelong resident of Île de Ré, the windsurfer welcomed us for a quick interview before he flew off around the world for another stage of the World Windsurfing Championship. Meet a man passionate about the sea, still based in Charente-Maritime, particularly on Île de Ré.
Antoine, throughout your career, you’ve traveled the entire world. Does Charente-Maritime have something special that makes you stay?
“I have indeed had the pleasure and privilege of traveling the world. There are magnificent places all over the globe, of course, but I have always been attached to my origins, my roots in Charente-Maritime. We also have natural sites of great beauty here, especially on Île de Ré where I still live.”
You live on Île de Ré. What do you like most about this island?
“When you have the chance to live on an island, what you love most is the immediate and almost instantaneous proximity to the ocean. Through my profession and my passion, I am closely linked to the sea. So naturally, the ocean attracts me. I also love the diversity of our beaches.”
Through my profession and my passion, I am closely linked to the sea. So naturally, the ocean attracts me
For board sports or walks, are there other sites you enjoy in Charente-Maritime?
Between the PWA World Championship and my professional activities, unfortunately, I have too little time to explore Charente-Maritime, even though the department is magnificent. But as a sea lover, I love all the spots where I can sail! In fact, whenever possible, I participate in the Fort Boyard Challenge, which starts from the main beach of Fouras-les-Bains and passes around Fort Boyard!
Do you have any advice for vacationers who would like to try board sports?
The first thing to do is to get in touch with a sailing or board sports school, like mine, which is located on Île de Ré. You can practice all board sports, sailing, and other water activities there: kayaking, catamaran, paddleboarding, canoeing, water skiing, etc. You learn good practices and basic safety rules there with a team of professionals. The activities are varied, and you’re sure to find something you enjoy! You’ll find them all along the Charente-Maritime coast, such as in Royan or on Île d’Oléron.
