Ciotat - Almanarre
Full ranking and run analysis.
50 km from La Ciotat to Almanarre: a committing run with limited, sometimes difficult exit options. Allow around an hour for the car shuttle. Be realistic about your ability: the first 20 km require significant angling across, with swell that can be much larger and more technical than on Oursinado. Completing La Ciotat–Six-Fours beforehand is strongly recommended.
The route generally works better in summer. In winter, winds with too much northerly direction can make reaching Almanarre difficult after Cap Sicié. Choose wind and swell directions that allow you to reach the finish. Turning towards La Coudoulière before rounding Sicié is preferable to continuing and risking being unable to reach Almanarre.
Launch from the Mugel cove and paddle far enough out to clear the backwash from Île Verte. The first roughly 20 km require angling across to clear Les Embiez and Cap Sicié, below La Dame du Mai. Allow around another 12 km to pass Saint-Mandrier, followed by roughly 15 km towards Almanarre.
The route can be very fast: the fastest known kilometre is below 1 min 30 sec/km, and the fastest 10 km averages below 1 min 40 sec/km.
Before Sicié, exits may be possible around Bandol, Sanary or Six-Fours, particularly La Coudoulière, depending on conditions. Choose smaller conditions for your first attempt.
