Pierre and Friends

Tripolis & Northern Lebanon

Auszug aus dem KITE AND WINDSURFING GUIDE:

55km north of Beirut, Tripoli’s North Marina is an awesome flat water spot that blows solid SW all summer when the thermals are working (Jun-Aug), 15 to 30 knots. There are plenty of rocks, no safe alternative landing sites, no rescue, and offshore wind – so this one’s strictly for the experienced. Off the point of a small beach to the west, Tripoli Canaria is Lebanon’s answer to the Columbia River Gorge. Winds here are also consistently 5-10 knots stronger than elsewhere in the summer with rolling swell that’s great for jumping. Right next to the football stadium it’s hard to miss, but suffers limited access, a large number of beach-goers and onshore winds. And given such an urban setting, the sea can be pretty dirty. Fortunately the translucent waters of the Palm Islands are just half an hour away. Either take a boat or sail out with a local. If it’s really blowing in Tripoli, these three small islands are worth the trip. To the north the flat water’s perfect for freestyle, and on a big day there’s a clean break between the islands. To complete the idyll, there are even turtles swimming about. Back on the mainland, just north of the tunnel between Shikka and Batroun is El Chakka. It’s a steep scramble down the mountainside to the launch, but in summer even the slightest SW breeze accelerates through here up to a gusty 30 knots. The narrow windband extends just a few hundred meters offshore and there’s a shadow inside, so it’s best suited to freestyle. But it’s worth a visit just for the view – the sailing’s an added bonus! Quarter of an hour south in Batroun, El Colonel is easily Lebanon’s best wave spot. The locals flock here when it’s working, some rate it as the finest break in the Med. In summer, moderate thermals mean it’s often sailable (especially good in July) but Colonel really comes into its own the remainder of the year when Mediterranean systems bring strong winds and real waves. The launch is rocky and slippery and many a mast has been snapped here, but the water’s really clear. And it stays that way five minutes down the road at Pierre and Friends on Batroun’s southern outskirts. Pierre was one of the pioneers of Lebanese windsurfing and his place remains the social hub of the windsurfing community. No wind and everyone enjoys a traditional 4-hour Lebanese lunch, but when it blows people indulge in the wind and waves all day long. Nightlife is good too. Expect slightly lighter winds but be aware of rips and shorebreak when it’s big. If the wind veers N-NW, consider heading down the coast beyond Beirut – 'the Paris of the East’. The long sandy beach at Jiyeh South offers bump and jump conditions and can often be 2 Forces stronger than elsewhere. Just north of the archaeologically famous city of Sidon, which has been inhabited since 4000BC, Rmeileh is a good place to learn in northerlies. Winds are generally lighter over flatter water. Sunbathers descend here from mid May, if it gets too crowded head down to Sur and launch beyond the last shack for a bit of space. Southerly winds are good here too, if lighter than elsewhere – and SW is pretty onshore.
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Kite and Windsurfing Guide
Das bleibt auch fünf Minuten die Straße runter bei Pierre and Friends so. Pierre war einer der Windsurfpioniere Libanons und sein Spot ist bis heute…
And it stays that way five minutes down the road at Pierre and Friends on Batroun's southern outskirts.
Spot