John Carter and 2016 PWA slalom Champion, Matteo Iachino, head out to explore the windsurfing paradise of Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean. Hosted by fellow Severne and Starboard world tour racer, Tristan Algret, and avid local sailor Bruno Kancel, the planned itinerary was to windsurf as many of the island’s best locations in a mere six days. John Carter reports!
GETTING THERE
I jetted out with Air France via Paris, leaving Heathrow bright and breezy at 6:20 a.m., which meant leaving my home on the Isle of Wight the night before. Coincidently the evening I left home was the same night the annual Isle of Wight music festival was finishing, so it turned out to be a hectic scramble to squeeze on the ferry along with the thousands of muddy and tired festival goers that were on their way home; I certainly saw some sights! Half asleep, I arrived at Heathrow two hours before check in opened at 4:00 a.m., so that meant trying to get some kip on the floor next to my bags. By the time I woke up there was a huge line at Air France, but I eventually managed to check in and was ready for my first flight to Paris! So far I would not call this luxury travel, but I was sure it would be worth it by the time I reached the Caribbean!
My connection in Paris meant a change of airport from Charles De Gaulle over to Orly, which was about a one hour transfer via free buses, before boarding for the final leg of the journey, destination Pointe-a-Pitre in the heart of Guadeloupe. If you ever travel this route, make sure you leave plenty of time for the transfer as it was Monday morning traffic when I crossed Paris and I only just made my connection by the skin of my teeth. Finally after the 8 hour flight from Paris to Guadeloupe, I touched down into the balmy Caribbean heat, ready for a six day whirlwind tour of the island. Everything for Matteo and I had all been organized by Tristan Algret and his friend Bruno Kancel, who both share the dream one day to host a PWA event on the island. With the travel side of the equation completed, now it was time to explore this windsurfing paradise and let the fun begin!
GUADELOUPE
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