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[Ile de Ré] [Le Lizay gallery] [Le Lizay 2012] [Le Lizay 2015-10-23] [2015-11-01]

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Le Lizay:

When La Conche ends at the first reef to the northeast, Le Lizay beginns. The spot gets its name from the stretch of coast and pine wood that stretches all the way to Les Portes. The coastline consists of flat rock shelfs and sandy beaches and a few bends in the shoreline. Very nice walk along the beach and in the woods (just make sure to avoid the many places used as toilets near the parking lots). Access is via three small roads leading to parking areas that are strictly off limits for overnight parking (the police controlls the places every night during summer months).

Again, at high tide, the beach gets very narrow.

Surfing: This is the only place on the island that gets decent waves. The mixture of flat reefs and sand beaches creates a few very nice peaks. The most popular one is the one at the western end that gets the most swell. The second break to the east tens to produce more suckier waves. Both breaks are were sensitive to tides, conditions change rapidly and waves tend to be a bit shifty. Waves get smaller the further east you get. Worth a check though in large swells. Low tide means no or very small waves.

Waves are usually half the size compared to all the other exposed coastal parts in the wider area. Summers can be frustrating here but during big winter swells the shelter becomes an advantage when everything else is massive.

Crowds are always a factor.

Windsurfing: With westerly or easterly winds in combination with a decent swell you can score some nice wave-sailing. Low tide offers some fine flat water sailing, but be carefull with the shallow waters over the reefs.

Kiteboarding: Often the only option for sume fun during summer breezes. High tide leaves very little space to land the kite.

Check the galleries for more images (pics from groundswell days in November 2015 and October 2015, 2012 pics and older pics).

Related stories: La Grande Boucle, Ré-velation, Ré-fuge

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