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Mer et Rencontres
Accueil » Sand Yachting School

SAND YACHTING SCHOOL

For over 30 years now, Dunkirk’s Mer et Rencontres sand yachting school has been promoting this sports activity on the Dunkirk coast. A fun and supervised activity, the school has made sand yachting accessible to as many people as possible

Sand yachting can be practiced from the age of 8: at school, individually in a private lesson, by taking a course (introductory or improver) or in a group through organised sessions.

People with reduced mobility are also welcome. The school’s double yachts are ideal for accompanied yachting.

ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

The association has a 9-member board of directors and 6 employees, four of whom are qualified instructors, a director and a receptionist.

The instructors are here to help you sail your sand yacht, to develop the adapted sport by enabling people with disabilities to practice sand yachting and maintain the equipment during the off-season.

OUR INSTRUCTORS

Moniteur de char à voile Christophe Foucher

Christophe Foucher

Sports Instructor​
State Certified Sports Instructor for Sand Yachting

Dean’s List

Moniteur de char à voile Henri Durez

Henri Durez

Sports Instructor
State Certified Sports Instructor for Sand Yachting

Dean’s List

Moniteur de char à voile Thomas Tramatzu

Thomas Tramatzu

Sports Instructor with a Professional Qualification Certificate for Sand Yachting
Level 4 French State Approved Diploma
University Degree in Science and Techniques for Sports and Physical Activities

Moniteur de char à voile Michel Szlezak

Jean-Michel Szlezak

Head Instructor
Sports Instructor with a Professional Qualification Certificate for Sand Yachting

Great! A really nice team. We had a blast! I recommend keeping your eyes closed!
Christophe

Leçon de char à voile à Dunkerque

WATER SPORTS CENTRES

The activities take place at two water sports centres:

  • The Licorne centre in Dunkirk, open all year round,
  • The Sémaphore centre in Zuydcoote, open in July and August.

Mer et Rencontres is a member of the French Sand Yachting Federation and is a partner of the Community Tourist and Congress Office and of the Dunes de Flandre local authority.

See our rates

HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION
Mer et Rencontres

  • 1987
    1987

    The association is founded by Guy Lepinay and Alain Magnin. When it started out, Mer et Rencontres was a kayaking association for friends based in Dunkirk Youth and Culture Centre.

  • 1992
    1992

    The sand yachting and outdoor instruction activity is developed based on an integration project. That same year, the association takes up residence at the Licorne sailing centre.

  • 1998
    1998

    The association signs up to the “Youth Employment” programme and trains and provides five State Sports Instructor Certificates

  • 1999
    1999

    In an effort to bolster its commitment to employment, the association takes out a loan to buy Ferme Fleurynck in Leffrinckoucke. This accommodation centre becomes a building site/school because of the renovation and development of the building. One technical supervisor, 1 socio-professional lead and 20 beneficiaries are involved in the project.

  • 2003
    2003

    We open and inaugurate a 30-bed group accommodation centre at Ferme Fleurynck.

  • 2006
    2006

    We take over the business and staff of Zephir, a water sports association with a sand yacht centre in Zuydcoote.

  • 2007
    2007

    The Ferme Fleurynck undergoes an extension to create a 110 m2 multi-purpose room.

  • 2009
    2009

    The second extension is completed with an added “leisure/culinary space”, a place where kids can make soups and jams

  • 2011
    2011

    The third extension is completed with an enlargement to the multi-purpose room which becomes 160 m2

  • 2013
    2013

    Mer et Rencontres starts to focus primarily on sand yachting. The school sells Ferme Fleurynck

  • 2016
    2016

    Jean Louis Decoster becomes the chairman of the association. Before taking on this role, he was on the Board of Directors (initially as a member and later as treasurer).

  • 2017
    2017

    The association buys 26 new sand yachts

  • 2018
    2018

    The association buys 27 new sand yachts.

  • 2022
    2022

    It currently owns 150 sand yachts.