From October 24 to November 2, the French Surfing Championship will once again set up camp between Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse. Eleven disciplines, 513 riders, forty titles up for grabs and top names from Quiksilver, Roxy, Rip Curl and Billabong… everything is set for a solid show with no need for 5/4 mm wetsuits!
Capbreton, Hossegor, Seignosse: the golden triangle for live championship coverage
These three towns in Landes offer a unique concentration of world-class waves and infrastructure designed to host the 61st edition. The parking lots near the dunes, historic clubs such as Hossegor Surf Club or Saint-Girons Surf Club, and a decade’s worth of event experience guarantee a smooth workflow, even when the sets enter a series of 10.
- Capbreton: quick access to the harbor and a backup spot for prone disciplines.
- Hossegor: powerful sandbars at La Gravière, with shortboarding firing from day one.
- Seignosse: a long beach that makes it possible to split the podiums and shoot longboarding without clashes.
| Key dates | Host city | Planned disciplines |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 24-26. | Capbreton | Para surfing, kneeboarding, drop-knee bodyboarding |
| Oct. 27-29. | Hossegor | Shortboard Open & Juniors |
| Oct. 30-Nov. 2. | Seignosse | Longboard, SUP surfing, bodysurfing |
Access, parking and logistics tips
Riders who use Bic Surf or Sooruz will find secure racks near each competition area. Spectators are invited to carpool to avoid the shorebreak of cars at peak times.
The 11 disciplines: numbers, percentages and sporting stakes
Shortboarding remains the boss with 224 entries (44 % of the total), but bodyboarding and longboarding are attracting more and more chargers. A number of athletes are competing on more than one board, like a handful of all-rounders who can link up four disciplines without burning out their legs.
- Shortboard for men & women
- Longboard men & women
- Bodyboard Open, Drop-knee
- SUP surfing
- Bodysurf
- Para surfing and kneeboarding
- Tandem surfing (exhibitions)
| Discipline | Number of participants | Share of total |
|---|---|---|
| Shortboard | 224 | 44% |
| Bodyboard | 104 | 20% |
| Longboard | 80 | 16% |
| SUP surfing | 45 | 9% |
| Other (bodysurf, para, kneeboard) | 60 | 11% |
Focus on favorites and the new wave
Basque-Landes dominance remains clear, but the Breton contingent is pushing hard, while the overseas surfers, boosted by Roxy and Oxbow, bring a tropical flow to the Landes lineup. A complete overview of the forces in play is detailed in this specialized article.
Map of regions represented: who’s sending the biggest crew?
Four major regions stand out: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Brittany, Guadeloupe, and Pays de la Loire. Clubs such as Vieux Boucau Surf Club are building on highly active junior development programs, while overseas training centers, supported by the new Tahitian generation, are positioning themselves as credible outsiders.
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine: 244 entries, almost half the field.
- Bretagne: 85 surfers, supported by a solid technical staff.
- Guadeloupe: 57 athletes, guided by ISA-certified coaches.
- Pays de la Loire: 48 competitors, including several U16 prospects.
| Region | Number of athletes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Nouvelle-Aquitaine | 244 | 47% |
| Brittany | 85 | 17% |
| Guadeloupe | 57 | 12% |
| Pays de la Loire | 48 | 9% |
| Other regions | 79 | 15% |
Versatility, sponsors and trajectories
At least 58 competitors compete on multiple fronts; the shortboard/bodyboard mix is the most common combo. Brands such as Sooruz and Quiksilver are banking on these chameleon profiles for their teams. Detailed stories are available via this dossier on the French generation and this survey of young Normans and their sponsors. To follow the highlights, head to the weekly video selection.
Where can I find the detailed program of series and tides?
The series schedule is updated every evening on the official website and relayed by the Hossegor Surf Club accounts. Schedules take into account tide windows and offshore forecasts.
Are dogs allowed on the beach during the event?
Yes, before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m., on a leash, except by temporary municipal by-laws. However, the organizers recommend that you use areas away from the podiums to avoid animal stress.
How do you get to each spot without a car?
Free shuttle buses run between Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse every 30 minutes. The Vélodyssée cycle paths also offer direct access from the park-and-ride facilities.
Are para-surfing disciplines open to the public?
Yes, the competition area is completely open and a live announcer explains the rules. PRM zones are provided to facilitate visibility.
Are there any free initiations during the competition?
Several partner clubs, including Vieux Boucau Surf Club and Saint-Girons Surf Club, are offering discovery sessions under the aegis of the Federation. Registration on site, Bic Surf equipment provided.