Since its creation in 1997, the Mondial du Vent has established itself as a must-attend event in the world of board sports, attracting thousands of enthusiasts from around the world each year to La Franqui, in the commune of Leucate. This international competition, one of the most anticipated in Europe, has become over time a true benchmark for kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing, and other innovative disciplines such as electric foil. For almost a week, from April 22 to 26, 2026, the world's best riders will compete in spectacular and technical competitions, thrilling an ever-growing and enthusiastic audience.
The renown of the Mondial du Vent owes much to the choice of its iconic location: La Franqui. Known for its exceptional natural setting, this seaside resort benefits from a climate particularly conducive to extreme water sports. Its Coussoules beach, an infinite stretch of fine sand, offers competitors ideal conditions with a regular and powerful tramontana wind blowing more than 300 days a year. This exceptional characteristic makes La Franqui a legendary spot, a must for thrill-seekers and recognized worldwide by experienced practitioners.
Each edition of the Mondial du Vent is also an opportunity to celebrate the common passion that drives competitors, spectators, and organizers, in an atmosphere that is at once sporting, festive, and friendly. Thus, the event goes far beyond the scope of competitions: it is a true celebration of board sports where performance, discovery, and the sharing of unique experiences come together.
1. KEY DATES AND INFORMATION
For this eagerly awaited edition, the Mondial du Vent 2026 will be held from April 22 to 26, 2026. During these six days, board sports enthusiasts will gather on the legendary La Franqui beach, in Leucate, located in the Aude department. This exceptional location, known for its powerful and consistent winds, once again promises optimal conditions to host wingfoil, kitesurf, windsurf, and electric foil competitions.
The choice of La Franqui beach is not insignificant: with its Coussoules beach ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Europe, this iconic spot offers an ideal playground for athletes and breathtaking views for spectators. Stretching over nearly eight kilometers of fine sand, the beach can easily accommodate international competitions as well as the event village dedicated to entertainment and exhibitors.
In terms of practicalities, access to the Mondial du Vent is facilitated by ecological and economical solutions offered to visitors. The Leucate-La Franqui SNCF train station, located in the immediate vicinity, allows visitors from all over France to easily access the event. In addition, to promote soft and ecological mobility, a free electric shuttle will be made available, directly connecting the station to the heart of the Mondial du Vent site. This practical service will be available throughout the event, facilitating travel while reducing the environmental footprint of the event.
To further encourage visitors to prioritize public transport, a special attractive offer has been set up in partnership with liO Occitanie transport. liO ticket holders, whether by train or coach, will thus benefit from a 50% discount on the Activity Pass. This Pass gives access to a wide range of activities offered during the Mondial du Vent, making the event accessible to all audiences.
Practical information in brief:
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Dates: April 22 to 26, 2026.
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Location: La Franqui beach, Leucate (Aude).
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Access by train: Leucate-La Franqui SNCF station.
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Shuttle service: Free electric shuttle connecting the station to the site.
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Special offer: 50% discount on the Activity Pass for liO ticket holders (train or coach).
For more information on the detailed program, competitions, and entertainment, please consult:
These resources will allow you to best prepare for your visit and fully enjoy this unmissable board sports event in Europe.
2. UNMISSABLE COMPETITIONS
The Mondial du Vent 2025 stands out with a packed and captivating sports program, bringing together several internationally renowned competitions that will attract the world's elite in board sports. Here are the key events not to be missed under any circumstances.
a. GWA Wingfoil World Cup
The flagship event of this 2025 edition, the GWA Wingfoil World Cup will take place throughout the event. As the only French stage of the world circuit, it will bring together the biggest names in the discipline around two particularly spectacular formats:
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Surf-freestyle: a competition focused on creativity and aesthetics, where riders perform daring aerial tricks, complex rotations, and original maneuvers.
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Freefly-slalom: an event combining speed, agility, and strategy, where athletes must complete a buoy course as quickly as possible while mastering their trajectory in demanding windy conditions.
This edition will welcome a prestigious list of international participants, including the Italian Francesco Capuzzo, known for his precise and powerful maneuvers, the talented American Christopher Macdonald, known for his audacious and innovative style, and the Spanish Nia Suardiaz, a rising star of women's wingfoiling and an essential reference in the discipline.
b. SFT Pump Foil World Cup
April 18 and 19 will mark a historic turning point for the Mondial du Vent with the arrival in France, for the first time, of the SFT Pump Foil World Cup, a spectacular and rapidly growing discipline. Pump foiling consists of moving by "pumping" on a board equipped with a foil, without the help of wind or a motor. Athletes will thus have to cover timed distances, requiring physical endurance, tactical sense, and absolute technical mastery of the foil. This event promises to reveal exceptional talents and offer an unprecedented spectacle to the spectators present.
c. SFT E-Foil Tour
On April 17, the public will witness the highly anticipated electric foil competition: the SFT E-Foil Tour. Renowned as one of the most innovative nautical disciplines, this competition features athletes navigating on foils powered by electric propulsion. Combining cutting-edge technology, thrills, and technical prowess, the event will offer spectators a true futuristic aquatic ballet. This spectacular competition perfectly symbolizes the permanent spirit of innovation of the Mondial du Vent, always seeking new features to amaze board sports enthusiasts.
d. Game of W.I.N.D.S.U.R.F.
April 20 and 21 will be dedicated to the very popular Game of W.I.N.D.S.U.R.F., an event directly inspired by the "Game of Skate". This original format pits competitors against each other in a creative and technical challenge, where each rider proposes a specific trick that their opponents must then reproduce identically, under penalty of being progressively eliminated. Suspense and technicality will be on display with very high-level riders expected for this competition: among them, the French Adrien Bosson, freestyle world vice-champion, Antony Ruenes, known for his exceptional creativity, and Sam Estève, an essential figure in international freestyle windsurfing.
These prestigious competitions will ensure the Mondial du Vent 2025 a prominent place on the international board sports scene, confirming La Franqui as an essential reference for enthusiasts and professionals in the sector.
3. THE BOARD SPORTS VILLAGE: ENTERTAINMENT AND DISCOVERIES
Beyond the high-level sporting performances, the Mondial du Vent 2025 offers its visitors a rich and immersive experience through the Board Sports Village, the true living heart of the event. Located on La Franqui beach, this lively village will welcome visitors every day from 10 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm, offering a wide range of activities designed to entertain the whole family, from beginners to experienced practitioners.
Young and old alike can enjoy free introductory workshops designed to discover or improve their skills in various sports and leisure activities related to board sports. Among the most anticipated activities, skimboarding introductions will be offered, supervised by experienced instructors. An excellent opportunity to discover this fun sport that consists of gliding on a thin film of water, accessible even to the youngest.
Children will also have their own dedicated space with a specially designed track for balance bikes. This fun activity will allow toddlers to work on their balance while having fun, in a safe and friendly environment.
Throughout the week, several creative and interactive workshops will be open, where the public can participate in the creation of objects related to the world of board sports or try their hand at street art with local artists. These workshops offer a great opportunity for exchange between enthusiasts, creators, and visitors around a common sporting and artistic culture.
Thrill-seekers will not be left out thanks to spectacular skateboard, rollerblade, and BMX freestyle shows, provided by renowned professional teams. These demonstrations promise genuine acrobatic performances and will punctuate each day in the heart of the village, guaranteeing a festive and dynamic atmosphere.
In addition, the Board Sports Village will host a special guest: the SP80 boat, an audacious project aiming to break the world sailing speed record, perfectly symbolizing the innovation and spirit of adventure that characterize the Mondial du Vent. An official presentation of the SP80 project will take place on April 18 at 6 pm, allowing the public to interact directly with the designers and discover the technical behind-the-scenes of this maritime and technological feat.
Finally, the village will host numerous exhibitors offering equipment, accessories, technical textiles, as well as local products. An ideal opportunity to discover the latest innovations in sports equipment or to leave with an emblematic souvenir of the Mondial du Vent.
With its numerous animations and discoveries, the Board Sports Village fully embodies the friendly, festive, and participatory spirit of the Mondial du Vent, offering visitors much more than just a sporting spectacle: a truly immersive and enriching experience.
Practical info for the Board Sports Village:
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Hours: from 10 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm.
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Main activities: skimboarding, balance bikes, creative workshops, skateboard, rollerblade, and BMX freestyle shows.
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Key event: official presentation of the SP80 boat, April 18 at 6 pm.
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Access: open to all, free entry.
4. LA FRANQUI: A LEGENDARY SPOT
Among the many assets that contribute to the success of the Mondial du Vent, the international renown of the La Franqui spot holds an essential place. Nestled in the commune of Leucate, in Aude, this historic seaside resort benefits from an exceptional location, between sea and wild nature, making it a must-visit for board sports enthusiasts.
The emblematic Coussoules beach is at the very heart of this legendary spot. This immense stretch of fine sand, which extends for nearly eight kilometers, is one of the most beautiful and largest in Europe. Its unique configuration and shallow waters make it an ideal playground for kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing, and foiling competitions. Professional riders and enthusiasts from around the world particularly appreciate the quality of the water, which allows them to push their limits and offer spectacular performances during competitions.
But what makes La Franqui truly famous is its emblematic wind: the tramontane. This powerful, consistent, and perfectly oriented wind blows here more than 300 days a year, making the place one of the most popular and reliable board sports spots in Europe. This unique climatic characteristic is the key to the success of the Mondial du Vent, ensuring optimal competition conditions for all disciplines.
Beyond its ideal sporting setting, La Franqui also stands out for its remarkable natural heritage. Bordered by the Mediterranean on one side and a preserved natural massif on the other, it offers breathtaking panoramas and an authentic experience to its visitors. This exceptional setting also invites relaxation and contemplation, attracting spectators who are as fascinated by the sporting prowess as by the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Finally, the Mondial du Vent would not be what it is without the warm and festive atmosphere specific to La Franqui. Every evening, the village streets come alive to the rhythm of parties and festive events organized alongside the competitions, allowing visitors to share their common passion for water sports in a friendly and joyful setting.
This unique blend of perfect natural conditions, exceptional heritage, and festive atmosphere makes La Franqui a legendary place, definitively anchored in the hearts of board sports enthusiasts and internationally recognized as an essential reference.
5. SOUVENIRS TO DISPLAY AT HOME: THE FOLIOVE POSTER OF LA FRANQUI
To extend the unique experience of the Mondial du Vent 2025 and take home a true artistic souvenir of this mythical place, the Foliove poster of La Franqui is the ideal choice. Specially created by Foliove artists, this illustration subtly highlights the emblematic landscapes of La Franqui, finely capturing the authentic spirit and gentle way of life of this legendary spot.
The graphic style, refined and contemporary, perfectly reflects the warm and relaxed atmosphere that characterizes La Franqui. Every detail is carefully represented: from the luminous nuances of the Mediterranean coast to the delicate lines of the Coussoules beach, not forgetting the essential tramontane, symbolized by a dynamic aerial composition. This artistic poster instantly evokes the sensations felt on site, combining freedom, escape, and passion for board sports.
To meet all decoration desires, the Foliove poster of La Franqui is available in several popular formats:
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A4 format (21 x 29.7 cm): perfect for subtle and elegant decoration, easy to frame and integrate into any interior.
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A3 format (29.7 x 42 cm): ideal for creating a more asserted visual impact, while remaining suitable for small or intermediate spaces.
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50 x 70 cm format: emblematic format, perfect for highlighting this unique illustration in a living room, bedroom, or office, offering optimal artistic rendering.
Each Foliove poster is carefully printed in the South of France, on high-quality paper chosen for its natural matte finish, subtle texture, and durability. This choice of local and responsible production guarantees not only excellent print quality but also a reduced environmental impact.
Whether you are a participant or a simple spectator of the Mondial du Vent, this poster is the ideal souvenir to prolong the emotion experienced during this exceptional event at home. It also makes a magnificent gift for any board sports enthusiast or lover of this unique place.
To purchase your poster, visit the official Foliove website where all formats and models are available for purchase in just a few clicks.
