Pete Davis is currently in La Palme, France, covering the Speed World Record attempt running from June 7 to July 7, 2025. Following an epic foiling session where records were broken, the forecast now shows promising signs of strong winds on the horizon … setting the stage for windsurfers to make their move on the open water speed records.
The beach is Plage du Rouet – the location is La Palme, Aude, Occitnaie, in the Cote du Midi. France. It is the without doubt the best open water speed spot in the world, period. The stats speak for themselves since starting running world and national record attempts here they have recorded 23 World Records and 63 National Records. The event run by Andrea (Principe) Baldini and Vanessa Battle is now in its 8th year and its still delivering.
This year the standby event runs for one month and already subject to ratification by the WSSRC a new women’s Wingfoil world record of 27.52 knots has been achieved by Audrey Marieagnes from France (Chabunga foils and Challenger Wings) beating Britain’s Zara Davis record set last year at the same spot.
On the same day after a monster 16 non stop drive from his home in Cleethorpes in the north of England, Richard Hobson with hardly any sleep on his new PPC Duel skin wing and Mikes Lab foils set a new British Wingfoil record of 28.70 knots. This record beat Farrel Oshea’s record also from last year and we know he was looking down from on high and would be the first to congratulate Richard on his achievement.
With still a few weeks to go before the end of the event what’s next? Well both Audrey and Richard are retuning and training for another chance and this time the number starting with at least a 3! The big Tramontana winds that this location is famous for have yet to show up but the end of the month and early July is looking good and the Windsurfing big guns like Antoine Albeau, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Roger Ornvang are all waiting for the call to head down to improve their Nautical Mile records. This place is one of the only places in the world with a natural mile and a half of flat straight beach and strong winds.
Richard Hobson breaks the British Wingfoil record: watch here:
So keep watching for updates on here and Prince of Speed Facebook page.
