1. A patron: Yannick Bestaven, winner of the 2020/21 Vendée Globe.

Yannick Bestaven, magnificent winner of the 2020/21 Vendée Globe on Maître CoQ IV, will be the patron of the 49th edition of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle. Yannick, winner of an exemplary solo round-the-world race without any stopovers or any assistance, completed his circumnavigation in 80 days, 03 hours, 44 minutes and 46 seconds. Yannick is a loyal and habitual visitor to the La Rochelle international in-water boat show. An essential event in the water sports calendar which he has attended as a competitor, as awater sports professional, and also as someone who loves the sea, boats and great stories.

News: The Imoca Maître CoQ IV will be present on Wednesday and Thursday, but Yannick will be present at the show from Thursday 30 September.

Further information: https://yannickbestaven.fr/ and https://www.maitrecoq.fr/lesprit-voile/

2. A guest country of honour: Greece.

A leading tourist destination, Greece is renowned for its stunning mountain landscapes, its natural wonders, its infinite coastline and its large and small islands, famous around the world for their unequalled beauty. Greece will be the guest country of honour of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2021 and over an area of 700 sq m it will offer an insight into its tourism, cultural, water sport and gastronomic treasures. A must for all visitors to the Grand Pavois La Rochelle!

3. A peaceful and high-quality show

6 days of exhibitions, open from 10 am to 7 pm, health passport compulsory, paper-free procedures for a number of communication tools to minimise contact, online ticketing, outdoor tent villages, remember that the Grand Pavois La Rochelle offers 100,000 sq m of exhibition space outdoors and 3 kilometres of jetties.

Alain Pochon, President of Grand Pavois Organisation: “We will have a Covid Reference Person at the show who will ensure that all these measures are respected as much by the exhibitors as by the visitors. Our priority is clear: we will offer a high-quality and peaceful Grand Pavois for our visitors and professionals and will guarantee the safety of all those involved. »

To follow and review changes in the sanitary protocol, please consult the updated FAQ on the Grand Pavois La Rochelle official site.

4. More than 110 new boats expected and a large amount of equipment.

A great asset for the Grand Pavois La Rochelle: an exclusive look at the new products for the coming year and, above all, the chance to try them at sea. And this 2021 edition will offer visitors the opportunity to meet many stars of the future in view of the large number of new products, all sectors combined: sailboats, liveaboard vessels, multihulls, motor boats, rigid hulled inflatables, electric powered boats, and more. Also, the world exclusive presentation of new boats and many new products such as the Leen 56 from the Leen boatyard, the ORC 42 by Marsaudon Composites, the Dufour 42 from Dufour Yachts, the Antarés 8, the First 27 and the Gran Turismo 41 from Bénéteau, the Hallberg-Rassy 50, the Mercury 600cv outboard engine, the Cap Camarat 7.5, the Sun Odyssey 380 and the Merry Fisher 795 Sport from Jeanneau, the 100% recyclable Intrados 500 from Armen, the MY 4.S from Fountaine Pajot, the Ovni 370 from Alubat, the Flow 25 from Atelier Interface with its interior partition walls and its roof in bamboo fibre, the Mojito 650 from IDB Marine, the Allures 51.9 from the Allures boatyard, the JPK 39 FC from JPK Composites, the White Shark 240 FC Evo, and much more.

5. An essential economic event for the French water sports sector.

The Grand Pavois La Rochelle autumn event aims to be a reflection of the French water sports industry with its 800 brands present and its 700 boats on show. New products for 2022, updates and additions to ranges, new trends, technological innovations, new waters ports, the Atlantic show is a nerve centre for the coming year for many European and French water sport professionals. Rooted in a territory with a rich water sports offering, remember that the show is held at the Port des Minimes in La Rochelle where there are 4,500 mooring berths and 4 basins. Remember that, according to an independent study, the Grand Pavois La Rochelle generates more than €20 million in financial return for the territory, excluding the turnover made by local water sport professionals. Because, as a centre for a great many water sport professionals, theNouvelle-Aquitaine Region makes 20% of the national turnover and represents 22.4% of the workforce (source FIN) and is the second region in France after the Southern region (PACA). It has 1,200 companies for more than 9,600 employees and includes several leading companies with a strong image such as Fountaine-Pajot, Amel Yachts, Dufour Yachts, CNB, Lagoon, Nautitech, and more. Finally, it should also be noted that the Grand Pavois La Rochelle is an event managed by an association – Grand Pavois Organisation – managed by water sport professionals since 1973, and, therefore, is at the heart of the French, European and global water sports industry!

6. Sustainable sailing and the port of the future: a subject that concerns us all!

The Grand Pavois La Rochelle focuses on the theme of « Sustainable Sailing and the Port of the future with EDF”. Initiated in 2019, during the show, this partnership aims to present the new solutions that will be on the market in the future. A Sustainable Innovations space devoted to companies working on innovative projects for the water sports sector will be available this year with the presence of start-ups and exhibitors offering solutions based on sustainable innovations. An « electric port of the future » with EDF recharging stations will also be presented exclusively with a demonstration of electric boats. Finally a round table (invitations only) will be held on Friday 1 October at the Maritime Museum in La Rochelle on the subject: « Ports and water sports of the future: the promising sector of decarbonisation ». It will also be possible to find out more about the APER deconstruction sector, as well as the new construction procedures using linen or bamboo fibre, etc.

Development of new cleaner products, old boat recycling sector or new 100% recyclable boats, eco-design and eco-construction with new materials and resins from recycled plastics, and more. The Grand Pavois is THE EVENT for catching up on these topics!

7. Sea trials and training, initiations for beginners and sea outings for persons with reduced mobility

As part of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle’s DNA, it is possible to test boats at sea from 10 am to 7 pm. These boats are brought together in the Test Boats space or in the heart of the Grand Pavois Fishing Marina. Note that at 6 pm, the transversal jetties open allowing exhibitors wishing to do so to head out to sea for tests with customers.

Note also that the Grand Pavois La Rochelle’s duty is to keep dreams alive and develop practices. Thus, about 1,500 maiden trips and initiations are organised each year for visitors of all ages at the La Plage area with sport catamarans, paddle boards, jet skis, and cruisers. Wetsuits are even supplied!

It will even be possible to follow training courses on embedded electronics for deep sea fishing fans in the company of leading fishing specialists. Unique…

Finally, remember that a Handi Cap’Access Space is also available at the show offering people with reduced mobility the chance to discover water sports. Each year, more than 500 sea outings are offered! 

8. Events Boats to keep dreams alive and convey messages!

Boats returning from a scientific expedition in the Arctic, Imoca the winner of the last Vendée Globe, the presence of legendary sailboats, a rock group about to set sail to record an album at sea, and more. Events Boats are an integral part of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle which also has a role to play in promoting incredible stories at sea, innovative construction procedures, adventures, women and men who enjoy the sea to the full!

This year, meet Northabout and Unu Mondo returning from expeditions in the Arctic and Iceland devoted to problems relating to global warming; Maître CoQ and its skipper Yannick Bestaven, winner of the last Vendée Globe; the innovative Crédit Mutuel Class40 and its skipper Ian Lipinski, record holder for the number of miles covered in 24 hours; The Big Idea or an unconventional rock group preparing to cross the Atlantic while they record their album, Sinbad built in 1950, which, apart from its amazing history, is associated via François Frey with the Esprit de Velox Foundation , a responsible Research and Innovation and mediation approach to which researchers from all horizons, manufacturers and educational, cultural and media stakeholders have committed. Pordin Nancq, a Carter 37 with a great past in regattas, from the Passe Coque association, which will promote the circular economy and the restoration of boats destined to disappear. An interesting and eco-responsible new trend of interest to many new owners.

9. Thematic spaces for all passions

The Grand Pavois La Rochelle aims to be the show for real fans. To that end, several thematic spaces are available to cater for all passions: In-Water and On-Land Spaces devoted to Boats, Multihulls Equipment, Services, Fishing and Grand Pavois Fishing, La Plage with all the board sports, Events Boats, Shopping, Guest Country of Honour, and more. Remember that the Grand Pavois La Rochelle is the only show to have its feet in the sand with a beach forming part of the show! Unique…

10. Three 100% foil national competitions and a paddle outing open to all.

An exceptional 2021 edition that will clearly be placed under the sign of Foil since three national level events will be on the programme over the weekend of the Atlantic show. Firstly, the National ETF26 (foil catamaran) with the presence of Billy Besson and Yvan Bourgnon, the Windfoil Autumn National with the presence of Julien Bontemps (Olympic Vice-champion in Athens), Pierre Le Coq (Bronze Medal winner in Rio), Nicolas Goyard (2021 iQFoil World Champion), Hélène Noesmoen (2020 and 2021 iQFoil World Champion), not to mention Antoine Albeau (25 times World Champion) and, finally, the Wingfoil Autumn National will all be held at the La Plage space on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the show.

Note that a stand-up paddle gathering, the APRIL Marine Paddle Jam, with Olivia Piana (three times stand-up paddle World Champion and patron of the event) open to all will be organised on Saturday and will round a buoy placed in the middle of the Old Port of La Rochelle. Magical!