Trip – New Caledonia – Xavier Madec // Strapless Kitesurfing

Originally from Brittany, Xavier Madec moved in New Caledonia 16 year ago to enjoy the sweet life on the island with his family. He’s addicted to strapless riding and he transmitted the virus to his son.

Xavier Madec © Patrice Morin

Xavier can you introduce your home spot in Noumea?

This is Ricaudy reef (recif Ricaudy known as well as waterslide) close to Meridien spot where the PKRA was held in November, I call it Skatepark. I ride there 2 – 3 times a week in trade wind period from september to march-april but Ricaudy works all over the year. The best sessions are at middle and high tide with 15/30knots.

It’s not the best spot on the earth but it’s one of the most convenient around Noumea because of the direct car acces,  green rig area, stunning lagoon’s colors in the morning, 28°C in the water and small swell above 20 knots with sout-east winds. Riding after work is so pleasant!

You ride now for 5 years in Noumea, you probably had some memorable sessions ? Is there something special to know about Skatepark?

I remember my first strapless jump… and Romain, my son (20 y.old and stunt bike champion),  gliding for the first time last month.

Short, total sun cream and lycra will do. Avoid very low tide, the coral is very sharp and take care to the turtles and the dugongs. A good point : sharks are invisible.

Which other spots would recommand ?

Ilot Goeland in winter when the tides are too low elsewhere. This spot is closed in summer to protect bird nests. Le Meridien to show off in front of Photographers. Ouano and Ilot Tenia are convivial spots where you can camp. Waves are usually lefts. With a boat you can reach all the waves on the reef at 15- 20 kilometers from the big Island. The lagoon is so huge.

Lolo charging the reef spot © Patrice Morin

Where beginners can learn ?

There are 3-4 serious schools with boat and radio on Ilot Maitre, face to Nouméa or at Poé, Bourail.

Any tips after kitesurfing ?

La Bodega for good music, Le Nakamal at La Baie des Citrons to chill out with a typical Pacific drink. The 1881 to enjoy food in a cosy mood close to water. Otherwise New Caledonia conceals good tables scents from diverse backgrounds.

Others activities or excursions to the island or nearby?

Regatta Touques. This is a race where very few serious attempts to go from one point to another on boats made of cans. People are dressed and made up.

This is not what is missing!  Picnic and ride in the south of Grande Terre, visiting the Ile au Pins, to be dropped off in a helicopter to the Nokanui island , a weekend in a typical Caledonian ranch, or a weekend in a Kanak tribe to eat a good bougna (traditional dish), and many other things …

Undoubtedly diving with such wealth in the lagoon (World Heritage by UNESCO) and easily accessible from 3 years.

 
An ideal beach for family days according to you?

Noumea, Le Méridien and the reef Ricaudy are practical. The beach is good at Poe, Bourail also for the family : kite, barbecue, sup, surfing, diving, sand castles … Ouano is not bad either. And then there are all the other spots: Loyalty Islands, the east coast of the mainland, but also the north side is less windy than the west coast are located where almost all the spots that I mentioned earlier.

A beach for lover?

Rather a getaway on an island, because here it is still possible to choose it on Google Earth, you’ll be spoiled for choice 🙂

Thank you Xavier for these invaluable informations on New Caledonia and Patrice Morin for the pics.

Find more at  : http://www.patricemorin.com/ and the original article on kitefamily.com in French.

To end here’s a sexy video about shapes by Xavier Madec, enjoy : http://www.straplesskitesurfing.com/2012/11/19/the-black-project-4-xavier-madec-strapless-kitesurfing/

If not done you’ll also have to check Airton Cozzolino Lopes, Angela Peral and the local rider Tom Hebert in this clip in New Caledonia in 2012 : http://www.straplesskitesurfing.com/2012/11/01/paradise-revealed-the-new-caledonia-episode-angela-peral-airton-cozzolino-lopes-tom-hebert-strapless-kitesurfing/

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