Tiki Center

Tiki Center is a watersports centre based in Frontignan-Plage, between Sète and Montpellier. It opened in 2014 with kitesurfing and stand up paddle, run by Jean-Christophe Tréal, a French state-qualified instructor (BPJEPS in kite sports) who has been teaching since 2001. It has since added wing (wing surf and wingfoil), several forms of foiling (kitefoil, e-foil, foil assist, pumping, boat-towed foil), wakeboarding and electric scooter tours.

Most kite lessons take place on the Étang d'Ingril, a two-minute drive from the base: a flat, shallow lagoon where you can stand everywhere. When the wind does not suit the lagoon, the school takes students by boat to a large beach on the sea side towards Palavas, where sandbanks also give waist-deep water. The boat doubles as a safety boat, and a tow mast fitted at the stern is used to practise water starts or foiling on windless days.

Group lessons have 2 to 4 students per instructor, each with their own kite, and every student wears a helmet fitted with a radio linked to the instructor. Kitesurfing is taught from around 10 years old, with private lessons for 10 to 14-year-olds. The school is affiliated with AFKite and also offers supervised riding, coaching (freestyle, kitefoil, strapless) and equipment rental.

Open all year round. According to the tourist office, the centre is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 8 pm; out of season, contact the school directly. Booking required.

Kite lessons last about 4 hours on the lagoon and 5 hours on the sea side (boat transfer included). They start in the morning around 9 am or in the afternoon around 1-2 pm: the instructor sets the time according to the forecast, so call or text the evening before to get it.

Meet at Tiki Center, 46 avenue d'Ingril, 15 minutes before the lesson. Phone: +33 6 19 14 87 90.