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SAM LATHAM: MY DÉFI WIND EXPERIENCE!

Introduction…The Biggest Windsurf Event on Earth

Every year, thousands of windsurfers from around the globe descend on the south of France for one reason: The Défi Wind! This year, Worthing Watersports shop owner Sam Latham took on the challenge and it was a memorable one. From 58-knot gusts and chaotic race starts to aching muscles, borrowed kit and crazy racing, here’s Sam’s full Défi Wind story.

Photos: Jean Marc Cornu and Louis Mchugh / Le Défi 

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The Journey to Gruissan

This year I flew from Gatwick down to Montpellier, hired a car and drove to Gruissan. If you drive, it is about a 14-hour drive from Worthing if you’re going by road most people drive through France, hop on the ferry or Eurotunnel and battle the toll roads.

You can sleep in your van right on the beach at the venue, which is brilliant, though this time I stayed in a chalet with Rafferty and Alix Reed. All in, expect to spend around £1,000 once you’ve covered travel, accommodation and entry.

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First Impressions…The Atmosphere

Nothing prepares you for the Défi.

1,500 competitors, young and old, male and female, all levels of kit and the standard is just extraordinary. Some people on older, more basic gear were absolutely flying past.

The wind was so fierce the photos genuinely don’t do it justice. Someone broke their leg, someone broke their ribs, and still everyone lined up for the next race. That tells you everything about this event.

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Getting an Entry

Tickets sell out fast, especially when the forecast looks good. This year they hit the maximum capacity of 1,500 competitors and I imagine after a year like this one it’ll go even quicker. Keep an eye on the website and get in early.

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Living the Défi Week

I stayed in a chalet with Rafferty and Alix Reed. Rafferty had an incredible week…he completed the full Défi trio: Défi Kite, Défi Wing and Défi Wind, all in one week. An absolutely massive achievement.

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Racing in 58 Knots…Equipment and Setup

We had five brutal races over three days in winds peaking at 58 knots.

I borrowed a Duotone 99L Falcon from Simon Pettifer…this board is available from Worthing Watersports as used windsurfing equipment at a great price. For the fin I ran an F-Hot race fin, available directly from F-Hot.

For sails I was on Duotone Superhero wave sails….a 3.7m for race one when it was absolutely howling, gusting 58 knots and a 4.7m for the rest of the event. I also tried a 5.0 Duotone Warp but found the boom diameter too large and switched to Duotone Mega Slim booms for the remainder of the event, which completely solved my forearm pump issues.

For harness I used the ION Axxis with the ION seat attachment…being able to sit into the harness rather than hanging from a waist harness was a total game changer for comfort over long races.

Jordy Vonk, Duotone pro racer, was also at the event and won race one. I was lucky enough to borrow some of his kit too…that was incredibly generous.

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You Don’t Need Full Race Gear

One thing I really want to highlight…you absolutely do not need full race equipment to do well at this event.

Andy “Bubble” Chambers finished an incredible 64th on freeride and wave kit. I finished 109th on wave sails. The Duotone Blitz and Duotone X-Pace would be the ideal combination for most people…comfortable, fast and more than capable of competing at the very highest level.

You can also browse our full range of Duotone windsurfing boards online.

Worthing Watersports Duotone Specialist Store – Wing Foil, Kitesurfing

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What a Défi Start Feels Like

Imagine 1,500 people all lined up behind a start boat in 50+ knots. It’s controlled chaos.

My first races I got away well, but as the wind shifted the top of the line became extremely busy in the final two races and my starts suffered as a result. Positioning and commitment is everything…you just have to back yourself.

 

The Start Boat

Yes….it looks precarious from the outside and honestly it can feel that way too! The start boat does move slightly to avoid anyone caught in front of it, but if someone were significantly over the line early it could be a real concern. The briefings address this directly and the message is clear…self manage, be disciplined on the start line and don’t be that person!

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The Physical Challenge

Racing in the Defi was brutal but incredible.

My worst race was when forearm pump set in badly…I genuinely wasn’t sure I was going to finish. The Mega Slim booms solved that for the remaining races.

Over the three days I covered more than 150 miles of windsurfing, hit a top speed of around 29 knots and finished 109th out of 1,500 competitors…inside the top 10%. Sore hands, sore feet, but proud to have completed every single race.

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Biggest Highs & Toughest Moments

Racing alongside Ben Proffitt from windsurfing.tv in 58 knots was a massive highlight… we were incredibly close considering he was on a wave board, which says a lot about the conditions.

The last race was my best. I moved my mast track back, the board flew and I nailed every gybe.

The low point was definitely the forearm-pump race…genuine pain and self-doubt. But you get through it.

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Entry Cost and Vetting

Entry costs between €127 and €250 depending on the discipline and when you sign up…early entry is cheaper so it pays to be organised. There is no formal skill level vetting process, but I would very much self-police this one. The conditions are genuinely extreme and you need to be a confident, competent windsurfer to be out there safely. That said, you don’t have to finish every race…in one race only around 800 of the 1,500 starters finished, so there is no shame in coming in early if conditions get too much.

One important requirement you need a signed medical form from a doctor confirming there is no medical reason you cannot compete. Heart conditions or other health concerns could prevent you from entering.

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Safety on the Water

Safety is taken very seriously. Before each race there is a lengthy briefing — up to an hour — where the organisation reviews the previous race, discusses any incidents and, if they can identify who caused a problem, they will publicly call them out in front of everyone. It creates a real culture of accountability.

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The Crazy Reality of Défi Wind

Sailing around before the start, looking at the conditions, thinking: how on earth is this going to happen? How is any of this possible?

And then 1,500 people just do it. Every time. That never gets old.

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The Party Scene!

Every single night there is a party with live bands on the beach…and yes, you get to drink with the pros, which is brilliant. The brands also take turns hosting evenings with free drinks, sneak peeks at new gear and even competitions to win wing equipment. It is very much a festival as much as a race event. The atmosphere is incredible.

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Final Thoughts

People travel from all around the world to take part in this incredible event…Asia, Australia and across Europe. It’s a truly global event and you feel that energy on the water.

The biggest thanks go to the organisers. What they take on must be incredibly demanding and challenging, yet they just get on with it without complaint, always putting safety first. They do an extraordinary job and the event is all the better for it.

Défi Wind is a real spectacle of what humans can do with the power of the earth’s wind. I hope it lives on for many more windy years.

See you out there next year!

Sam

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