"Hey, they were really nice!", I thought to myself as we sat in front of the gate at Guadeloupe airport waiting for our flight back to Germany. I'm not talking about the women at the Air France check-in desk who were critically examining my board bags. I'm talking about the organisers, participants and spectators of the "King of Moule 2025". On 18 and 19 January 2025, the 6th edition of the 2-star IWT/PWA event took place in Guadeloupe at the racy wave spot Alizes (Le Moule). It happened to be the last weekend of our 3-week holiday.
Le Moule is less touristy, but rougher than the rest of Guadeloupe
Based on a spot guide and a few YouTube videos, Sabine and I decided to spend our holiday on Guadeloupe this year after five years of going to Barbados in winter. We needed something new, but it had to be warm, there had to be nice beaches for swimming, but also plenty of waves, preferably with side-offshore wind. So the choice fell on the French overseas department, which was not that far away. As Air France only allows you to take 23kg with you, it was clear that we would be taking two boardbags with us anyway. So we packed our waveboard, freestyler, sail 4.2 to 5.3 and the shortboard, and off we went from Lake Constance to Munich and then via Paris to Guadeloupe. The check-in at Air France in Munich the evening before was practical (you are checked in straight away to Guadeloupe).
For our accommodation, we chose a place in Le Moule with a view of the spot, so we had a perfect breakfast on the balcony. Le Moule on the north-east coast of Grand Terre always catches waves in winter, and the NE to SE wind blows from the right. Well suited for water sports enthusiasts, there are also a few surf spots nearby. In contrast to Sainte-Anne, Saint-François and Le Gosier, it is less touristy here, but also a little rougher with the wind.
On the first day with wind, I saw two surfers on the water during breakfast and rushed to the spot. Once there, I met Morgan Noireaux, who spends his winters here, and Coraline Foveau, who lives behind the spot. The two of them kindly explained to me where the channel was to get to the reef. From the beach, it actually looks quite relaxed. As the wind is getting less and less, I decide to go surfing for the time being.
Four channels and a riff
The next day I met Nathan Loridon, the operator of the "Wanalao" surf station and organiser of the "King of Moule" contest. A super friendly guy who gives me a detailed introduction to the spot before he starts his wing and windsurfing courses. Well informed, I feel ready for the first session, and although the forecast wasn't that great, 2.5 metre sets rolled in, into which you could pull three to four turns, nice! When I came back, however, I realised the trickiness of the spot. With little wind, you definitely need a wave to get back through the channel, otherwise the current pulls you back out to sea. In the lee there are three more channels that are difficult to recognise for another attempt, with the reef peeking out in between. Not quite as beginner-friendly as the south of Grand Terre.
Nathan asks how long we're staying and after I reply "Three weeks" he says: "Hey cool, then you can join the King of Moule". "Who, me?" I ask, "I'll be glad when I find the channels again." He replies: "No, it'll be fun, we'll have a good time and a jet ski, join us". While I'm looking for more excuses, Coco and Morgan arrive again, as well as other locals. It was another great day, but for me it ended with swimming in through the fourth and final channel, exhausting!
"Le Boss": Antoine Martin's father is the sailmaker on Guadeloupe
Sabine and I had a great time on Guadeloupe for the next three weeks. Even though the wind wasn't ideal, we did lots of things, such as waterfall hikes, kayaking, surfing, sunbathing and freestyling in Vieux Fort, where there's actually always wind. I managed to destroy my sail in Sainte-Anne. I then met the island's sailmaker, none other than the father of Antoine Martin, nicknamed "Le Boss". It was not to be the last time I met him.
In the meantime, Sabine has managed to persuade me to take part in the race. The wind came back just in time the day before. In preparation, I thought I'd go out early on the first day of the competition so that I could practise a bit on my own. However, there was already a lot going on on the reef at nine o'clock in the morning. Excessively overpowered at 5.3, I returned and switched to 4.8, which was fine. At the briefing at 1pm, "Le Boss" was there again to explain the rules (two waves, one jump) and he was also at the micro all day organising the heats. The judges were local heroes, including Lisa Wermeiser's mum, Laetitia. Overall, it was a very relaxed, informal atmosphere and I felt at home. The top international riders were also represented, with the Juban brothers, Antoine Martin, Morgen Noreaux, freestyle ace Antony Ruenes, Coraline Foveau and Lisa Wermeister, some well-known names at the start.
A double loop makes things clear
When I checked my heat and saw that I was to race against Antoine Martin, I relaxed, because apart from my outer bands, I wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. Halfway through the first lap, the wind became less and less and I changed to 5.3 like the others. By the time my heat started, the wind was back in full force and I was once again overpowered. But that wasn't to be the deciding factor, because the heat started as expected. Antoine hit a double loop in front of my nose with the first shot out and the story was over. I still had fun and was happy with my performance.
As it was the last heat of the day, we all had a "super session" together at the reef. The atmosphere was good. I switched to the freestyle board and ended the day in the lagoon. In the evening, there was a party with good music and "windsurf cinema" at Nathan's station. I held back, as the "Mini Double Elimination" started for the losers of the first round the next morning at nine o'clock, this time without jumping. But even in the revenge round, I didn't stand a chance against the locals, who knew exactly which waves break cleanly over the reef.
Next goal: The "King of Moule" 2026
I didn't risk much on our departure day, but hey, everything stayed intact and I have enough time to dry my stuff. At lunchtime there was delicious paella for everyone and we had to pack for the journey home. The finals started in the afternoon. As expected, Antoine, Morgan and Camille took the podium in an impressive show, as did Lisa and Coco in the women's competition. At the award ceremony, there was also the Youth classification and the Masters. All participants received a small gift. We said goodbye to everyone, it was wonderful. With these wonderful memories of a top organised event, I'm sitting at the airport and already looking forward to the King of Moule 2026. "Hey Nathan, count me in!"
The highlights of the King of Moule 2025 in the video
Text: Christoph Burkhard
Results King Of Moule
- Antoine Martin
- Morgan Noireaux
- Camille Juban
Queen of Moule
- Lisa Wermeister
- Coraline Foveau
Prince of Moule
- Kymani Laurent
- Lisa Wermeister
- Pacome Chouvet
Master of Moule
- Maxime Huet
- Didier Doom
- Stephane Queniart