14TRAVELMAURITIUS
Fast forward 12 months and after 14 hours squeezed into a
big winged tin can I was more than ready to experience the
beautiful turquoise barrels I had been dreaming of for so
long. As we drive across the island from the airport to Le
Morne it quickly becomes apparent that Mauritius is a
melting pot of different cultures. Strong Indian, African,
French and even Caribbean influences can be seen on nearly
every street. Between the houses, sugar cane fields and
Hindu temples occasionally you get a glimpse of the volcanic
black pre-historic landscape that makes up the interior of the
island. It would be the perfect set for a film like Jurassic
Park. It’s not hard to see why the Dodo is the national bird.
For the last 20-30 mins of the drive you follow the coastline
which feels like a mash-up of the Caribbean and Hawaii to
me. On one side of the road Maui beach style car parks with
even more impressive white sand and turquoise barrels
backdrop, not bad! Whilst the other side is lined with
Coconut drive-thru’s, food wagons and Coca-Cola branded
shacks, just like the streets of Bridgetown in Barbados.
Eventually we arrive at what can only be described as luxury
hotel street: a long road running the length of Le Morne with
luxury hotel after luxury hotel from end to end. We had chosen
to stay at the more reasonably priced RIU hotel for the first
half of our stay. For ease, comfort and convenience, this is by
far the best hotel for windsurfers. It boasts the best launch
spot, conditions, and is home to the island’s ION centre.
Meaning everything you need is within a stone’s throw.
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WIND
SURFING
On the water
Le Morne is like a windsurf playground, offering everything from
heavy, fast down the line waves to flat water freestyle and
slalom. It’s the setup of the reefs here that give Le Morne so
many different conditions within a relatively small sailing area.
The same reef can also make Le Morne dangerous so you
need to be aware of your surroundings and get some local
knowledge/advice before hitting One Eye on day one.
Essentially the entire island is encircled by one reef, and at
Le Morne there is a large gap or channel in the reef. The
shape of the reef at Le Morne has created 4 distinct wave
breaks, each one more gnarly than the last, and some of the
most perfect flat water you will find on the planet, within the
protection of the reef. Truly making Le Morne one of the few
spots on earth where you can enjoy all disciplines of
windsurfing in one day!
Kite/beginner Lagoon
As you look out to sea from the ION centre to your left as you
follow the beach around the corner is the flattest area.
Generally used by kiters and, in the morning beginners, it is a
very flat, shallow bay completely enclosed by the reefs and
with very little current. Unsurprisingly freestylers like this area.
Main Lagoon
This is simply the area inside the reefs and channel,
immediately in front of the beach. It is not as sheltered as