For this 17 e edition which will take place from 25th to 28th May 2017 in Gruissan, there will be 1400 windsurfers from 40 countries, 1000 more than last year. Among them, 900 registered in less than an hour at the opening of registration on February 1st. Some of the competitors already present were able to enjoy some rides on Tuesday 23rd May thanks to the magnificent day offered by the Tramontane. In the early afternoon, the riders even took advantage of the set-up tests of Philippe Bru, the big boss of the event, to take a start and treat themselves to a 20 km training run, just for fun.
A simple concept
Initiated by Philippe Bru (PBO), Wind Magazine and the Gruissan Tourist Office, this atypical event is based on a simple idea: bring together in the same place, at the same time and on the same starting line the largest number of riders, professionals and amateurs.
Open to all, participants of all ages and all levels come to brave the tramontane on 40 km of beach-side water courses. Not everyone will make it to the end, even the best of them.
The atmosphere is warm and supportive, in the end nobody (or almost nobody) is there to win. You come to Les Défis to achieve your own feat, to share an experience, to take part in this moment of emotions and sensations. You take part in a group that acts with common values of surpassing oneself, respect and sharing around a sport of passion.
Up to 320 km of running
Depending on the weather conditions, participants will have to make two Gruissan - Port-La Nouvelle round trips, i.e. about 40 kilometres; an effort that will probably have to be repeated in the morning and afternoon.
The best will complete the course in 45 minutes when it will take 2 or 3 hours for the less experienced... Over the 4 days and if all the rounds are run, the "Défieurs" will have covered 320 km on their machines. That's why the term "marathon of the seas" is perfectly suited to this event.
Stars galore
Outside of official competition, the world's best have always come together without fail on the Challenge. According to them, it is much more than a competition, it is the gathering of the whole windsurfing family, a moment of exchange and sharing. For the most competitive ones, it is the conquest of the ultimate title, the recognition. For the 2017 edition, the Top riders will be back to defend their title, have fun with their friends or take their revenge.
This year, they will be more than 60 world champions to line up on the starting line like the legend Bjorn Dunkerbeck (42 world titles), Karin Jaggi (15 times PWA world champion), Julien Bontemps (Silver medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics), Thomas Traversa (French Funboard Team, 2014 world champion, winner of the Red Bull Storm Chase) or Delphine Cousin (2 times world champion 2013 and 2014 and 4 times French champion).
10,000 m2 of floor space
Technical areas, VIPs, Production offices, Eco-toilets, Catering, Partner Village, Scenic area, Beach, as many areas necessary to achieve what today's Challenges are! Records, the biggest sliding events in the world!
On the Nautical side, the figures could be just as impressive... A sea team of 150 people, 50 nautical units, 50 marker buoys, km of ropes... for a racing area more than 15 km wide and 1 km deep.
Lots of activities and 50 exhibitors
On the festive side, beyond the ½ ton of mussels offered, there are some 50 exhibitors highlighting their products, more than 30 artists performing daily, but also :
- Baptisms
- Discovery
- Musical animations
- Equipment and innovations exhibition village
- Presentation of stars
- Games and contests
- Sud de France" product tastings
- Souvenir shops
- Film screenings
- Demonstrations
