Ride Academy is a kitesurfing, wingfoiling and boat-towed riding school founded in 2016 by Seb Garat, a two-time kitesurf freestyle world champion who now coaches the French freestyle team and the Occitanie regional youth training centre (Pôle Espoirs). The school is based in Pérols, on the canal that extends Carnon harbour, 10 minutes south of Montpellier, 5 minutes from the airport and a 1.5 km walk from the "Étang de l'Or" tram terminus. Parking is free right next to it, even in summer.
Lessons leave the school by RIB (two 3D Tender boats of 6 and 7 m) for whichever spot best suits the day's wind in the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes, about 20 minutes away by boat: the beach running from Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to Frontignan (Les Aresquiers), reachable only from the sea and used in thermal breezes or west to north winds, or L'Espiguette beach and its sandbank in the mistral. Some sessions take place in open water, with kites inflated from the boat. Groups have no more than four students per instructor, each wearing a helmet with a radio, under boat supervision. Instructors hold the French DEJEPS or BPJEPS diplomas or are trainees; the school is affiliated to the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile) and requires its Passeport Voile licence. Lessons can be given in French, English, Italian and Spanish.
The programme runs from first lessons to coaching in kitesurfing (freestyle, big air, strapless surf, foil), with kitefoiling for riders who are already independent, wing riding on a SUP board and then on a foil, boat-towed riding (twin tip, surfboard, foil or wingfoil), 2 to 5-day courses, multi-sport courses for 8 to 15-year-olds during school holidays and a freestyle-oriented training centre for independent riders aged 10 to 20. Independent riders can also go out under boat supervision, with their own gear or rented equipment. Ride Academy presents itself as an official Duotone, ION and Fanatic school: Duotone kites, boards and bars, ION wetsuits, harnesses, helmets and buoyancy vests, Fanatic or Duotone foils; wetsuits are provided.
2026 prices from the school's online booking system, identical to the 2025 price list shown on the website, equipment and wetsuit included. A compulsory membership with an FFVoile licence comes on top: Passeport Voile at €18 (once a year), or club membership at €90 (adults) or €52 (under 18).
Lessons can be paid by cheque, holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances), cash or card (payment link or online booking); the licence is paid by cheque or cash. Gift vouchers available.
The school can teach every day of the year when wind and temperature allow. From November to March, cold-weather gear is needed, and lessons are usually cancelled below 12 °C.
Kitesurfing and wingfoiling lessons last about 4 hours from the school (2 to 2.5 hours of actual riding), in the morning or afternoon. The start time is set the day before and confirmed by text message between 6 and 8 pm, sometimes on the day itself; meet at the school 5 to 10 minutes beforehand. Boat-towed sessions start at 8, 9 or 10 am.
Children's courses run during school holidays, from 9 am to 1 pm or 2 pm to 6 pm depending on the weather. Adult courses are scheduled on request from two people, notably at weekends and every week in summer starting on Monday. The training centre meets on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 pm to 5 pm, outside school holidays.
Information and booking on +33 6 37 52 55 67 or online.
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