“The flamingos were so beautiful!” This summer in Palavas, try sea kayaking

Anouk, l’encadrante, a repéré des flamants roses sur la berge. DR – Lilian Todeschini

En manque d’inspiration pour vos activités de l’été ? Le club sportif Palavas kayak de mer propose des randonnées sur les étangs, accessibles à tous. Retour d’expérience.

In front of the blue sheet metal building of the Palavas sea kayak club, on the banks of the Lez, they seem ready to play with their paddles. The 16 kayakers are taking part in the “sunset” circuit, a two-hour loop on the Palavas ponds.

“To go right, paddle left”

The essential briefing. DR – Lilian Todeschini

Anouk, who supervises the group, begins with the essential safety point.“Don't take anything of value, it might end up wet”, warns the instructor. Then follows the demonstration with the paddles. “To go right, we row on the left”.

Waterways, canals and tunnels

“We're going to do a four-kilometre loop, passing through the Lez then the ponds and finishing with the sunset" explains the instructor. One by one, the boats fill up. Salomé, an experienced navigator, reassures the novices. “As long as you stay calm, you won't tip over.”

The instructor takes her place at the head of the procession and guides the vacationers, who follow her in single file. Evelyne, who has “already been kayaking, in Ardèche", seems comfortable in her boat. For her friend Laëtitia, “it's a discovery”.

“Every time I come to Palavas, I do a different activity,” confides Véronique. DR – Lilian Todeschini

Anouk, who has been practicing in this club "since 2012", knows a thing or two about the ponds. She shares anecdotes throughout the trip, which seems to delight the parents.  "The area is protected, but we have authorization to navigate in a group", explains the kayaker.

Anouk gives directions to cross the Méjean pond. DR – Lilian Todeschini

For an hour and a half, the group follows waterways, canals and tunnels to finally reach the Méjean pond. And there, disappointment: the sky is veiled with thick clouds. As for the dramatic sunset, we'll come back. The tourists, who don't let themselves be put off, observe with wonder the few pink flamingos that line the lagoon. "The walk is still nice", recognizes one of them.

As a reward for the effort, the spectacle of a flight of pink flamingos. DR – Lilian Todeschini

"25 euros per adult, it’s affordable"

Newly landed, the budding kayakers take stock. "It’is well supervised, at my level and it’s calming", explains Véronique. "I had passed by the club several times on my bike, I am happy to have tried", rejoices her friend Bernadette.

Laëtitia, who came with her family, is satisfied with the quality/price ratio. "25 euros per adult and 15  euros for children under ten, it's affordable. Her daughter Eloïse proudly shows off the pink feather she found on the water. &quot ;The flamingos were so beautiful!" Axelle, her big sister, seems satisfied with the " beautiful view of the ponds". Seeing night falling, the mother adds: "two hours of walking is enough, no need for more".

If you want to try it, go here.