Slope soaring on the « Dune du Pyla »

(By Ph. Cambier)

Introduction

As with the majority of modellers with a companion, I find that I have many difficulties to take care of both desires for our holidays: my wife loves the sunny lazy days on the beach whilst I get bored and continuously dream of a good slope soaring session! I have found an ideal site to combine both needs: the highest dune of Europe, the one near Pyla-sur-mer near Arcachon (in the region of Bordeaux - France). My wife gets a sun tan and myself, not far from her, fly …

The Location

Located on the French Atlantic coast, 65 km south of Bordeaux, the Bay of Arcachon is well known for its oysters. The Dune du Pyla, nearby (10 km), with its 102 meters high, 2,7 km wide slope, facing the westerly winds, overhangs the exit of the bay in front of the Cap Ferret and its sandbanks. Most of the time the flying conditions are ideal and the panorama is superb…

The Flying Site

The “tourist” side of the dune (i.e. on the North, towards Arcachon) is a “no fly” zone because it is very crowded due to the good road signs, parking and access … but opposite on the South end of this sand dune, there where it goes down to the level of the coast road is our heaven!

The amateur slopers have built there a launch site from where they learn to take-off. When airborne they usually leave this place, moving away to the South following the edge of the cliff. This headland has got another point of interest for the flyers, it includes a permanent windsock that is visible from the Panorama Camping.

The modellers usually climb the gentle slope (but “gentle” is all relative when the sand is so sluggish!) up to the top where they can expect to find better lift and, above all, take some distance from the parapentes as well as from the trees edging along the dune. On one day, with a distinct lack of lift, my handlaunch Cumulus did manage to stay hung up in the top of a 15 meter high tree!

 

Even when you fly from the southern end of the dune, from where you can oversee all of the surrounding area, care must be taken with frequencies, especially 35 Mhz, as other modellers stay in the other camping areas as well, which are situated further north, behind the dune. They have also direct access and they do not fly near you : but their transmitters still transmit all around! As there is no “peg” board it is the accepted procedure to have the basic courtesy to try to contact them. If they do not speak your language, a lot of German modellers do so, but not all, just show them your transmitter where you should have attached a label with your frequency AND your channel number. Sometimes it can happen that some “irregulars” turn on their transmitter shamelessly and without prior control on, they are badly looked on by the local French modellers whom are usually very welcoming.

The Slopes

The Landings ...

Not from behind because the slope is too steep 50° at least and in front of the slope the lift is too strong to slow down your model. Fortunately at the top, there is a large hollow with a flat base. It is well suited for landings as it is out of the lift, as well as to our companion, who can get tanned in the shelter and out of the sand that blasts your legs.

How to Get There ?

Go to Bordeaux on the A10, go around this large city to the south exit number 15 towards Biarritz/Arcachon. At exit 22, turn off to Arcachon. At the entrance of Arcachon (at the “La Teste-du-Buch” traffic roundabout) follow direction Pyla-sur-Mer clearly which is sign-posted, drive pass the Tourists Parking which gives access to the North end of the dune, and continue on the D218 for 2 km towards Biscarosse. On a flat hill, on the right side of the road (just before the Camping Panorama and between the 2 camping) there is a small path which goes through the forest. A short walk of 300 meters and you arrive at the base of the headland.

 

 

 

Accommodation

This is a very touristic area which abounds in hotels. But I am a lucky modeller who owns a camper (and above all a companion who loves camping). There are plenty of camping areas behind the dune but no view of the sea, only to a sand wall 100 m high. This is the reason I choose the one located at the south end of the dune, the Camping Panorama. It bears its name well and is also frequented by the slopers with whom it is fun to chat.

Conclusions

I love this place, for its unique views, for its flyability, and above all for its combining of the leisure time « sea , sand, & soaring » for the whole family. The only “fault” of this exceptional site is, by strong wind, that sand that gets into everything! In the model, which can get unbalanced, in the transmitter of which the sticks do not care for it too much and in your flying bag, … A good vacuum cleaning is a “must” at the end of your stay but it is all very worth while!

 

 
Any comments, suggestions ? Des commentaires, suggestions ? Send a message to Philippe CAMBIER.

Copyright © 2002 Planet Soaring Magazine - Philippe Cambier.
No commercial use or publication (e.g. on other www or ftp sites, print media) without a written consent.


[ Retour page principale / Back to home page ]