From 8 am to 8 pm ........

We first came here in 1995: our youngest was 3 and spent the mornings floating around in an Oppie helmed by his 5 year old brother. We can think of no better watersports environment for a summer holiday, which is why we bought the house.

Sailing

We have two Hobie 16's - the first one is almost worn out! I think the lake is better than Garda for cat sailing: it is warm, you are rarely out of view from the land and you rarely get 'knock down' winds. That said, there have been genuine hurricanes here, so don't disregard storm clouds from the Pyrenees. After lunch is Hobie time, and the prevailing wind is onshore - you can scream along parallel to the beach, flying a hull, scaring old women and small children...amusing the landlubbers with your pitchpole techniques... They hold dinghy World Championships at the top end of the lake. Boats can be kept pulled up on the beach during your stay, and leave the trailer wherever. You can get a single tack, 4 mile reach on this lake.

Windsurfing

After the Hobie sailing, about 4 pm-ish, the wind normally picks up and you get the boards out. If you or the family are learning, I promise there is no better place: waist deep for 100 metres, sandy bottom, 22 degrees fresh water and onshore wind. More rigging space on the beach than you would ever need, and I leave my board & rigs chained to a tree at the beach while I'm there. Some years it'll blow 4-6 every day, some years are better for suntans, but that's windsurfing. You will get small chop, and you will not need a wetsuit. You are not trapped in a wind corridor with 100 other boards, and you can sit in your straps for 20 minutes at a time. Be aware, this is not Fuerteventura! The coastal rips are normally too dangerous at the sea beaches, I've never seen a board on the sea around here. Nearest shop for 'stuff' is Decathlon in Arcachon, so bring your gear with you. If you need, there's normally 'bits' of my gear you can borrow in the garage, but please replace. I normally sail 8m on a formula board, can go down to 5m. This is PERFECT for learning beach and waterstarts, and getting into straps and harness, and finding the joy of planing faster than you should.

Kitesurf

See above. Best parts for kitesurfing are the rigging areas, and that you've got shallow, warm water. Think Poole harbour without the moored boats, with a sandy bottom and warm water. And a beach bar with cold beer.

Waterski & wakeboard

8 a.m., flat water, you will always find a place to be alone on 8,500 acres. You might prefer a wetsuit vest early in the morning. Throughout the day you will almost always find a side of the lake that is sheltered. There is a ski school at La Reserve, 5 mins drive away / 15 mins walk. There is a small marina and the Mairie will let you know if there are any pontoons free - gastes.mairie@wanadoo.fr. Monsieur Neyraud runs the workshop, and will also launch & lift for you for 25 euros if you don't want to use the ramps. He also has a petrol pump on the marina - motor up, drive away, no more cans & funnels. You will need a temporary boat permit from the Mairie. In the afternoon you will find 7 or 8 wakeboarders on the far side of the lake - that's about as busy as it gets. There are plenty of places to launch, no speed limits we know of in the central lake, and French law says drivers need the relevant qualification. There are no safety boats & no safety radio, but there's normally enough traffic in case of problems. We have a new Nautique 216 in the marina that might be available for rent to a suitably qualified and insured driver circa #500 per day. The ski school at La Reserve has a parasailing boat that's out most days. Paul brought his Maristar down from his UK lake where he is permitted a 300 metre tow, two boats maximum: here, you can get five miles straight without a turn. During the height of summer, you'll almost never see more than five/six ski/wake boats on the whole lake...and in the morning perhaps two?

Sea beaches

The beaches at Mimizan & Biscarosse are bodyboarding heaven, and malibu if you can! Beaches are the longest in Europe and have wall-to-wall bronzed bodies around the towns when the French are on holiday. This is surf city.