F400 SurfSchool

F400 SurfSchool is a windsurfing and wingfoiling school opened in summer 2020 in the heart of La Franqui village, in Leucate, by Nicolas "Nico" Akgazciyan, a professional windsurfer from the area (three PWA indoor wins, EFPT European runner-up). The school is hosted at the Direct Wind surf shop centre, 19 avenue de la Méditerranée, and shares its address and landline.

Beginners learn in the nearby inner lagoon, where the water is shallow enough to stand; intermediate and advanced lessons take place at sea, 300 metres away, off Les Coussoules beach, home of the Mondial du Vent event. When there are waves or the wind is too strong, lessons move to the Leucate and Port-Leucate lagoons. For windsurfing, the school offers 1.5-hour group lessons from Monday to Friday and private lessons; for wingfoiling, small-group lessons (up to three people) and private lessons, plus a foil simulator. All equipment is provided: wetsuit, helmet, harness, buoyancy aid and a two-way radio for instructions on the water.

The centre also rents windsurf, windfoil and wingfoil equipment by the hour (1 to 10 hours) or by the week. F400 also organises windsurf coaching trips abroad, to spots chosen according to level and focus (South Africa, Brazil, Canary Islands).

Open all year round according to the Leucate tourist office; the website does not publish season dates.

Windsurf group lessons from Monday to Friday, in 1.5-hour sessions. The time of each lesson is set the day before: the school sends it by text message after 7 pm, once the latest weather forecast has been checked. Please arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the lesson to get changed.

Bookings and questions: +33 6 18 76 13 67 (text messages preferred) or +33 4 68 45 70 05 (Direct Wind centre landline).