Les Landes beach breaks are gearing up to host a lineup of events that will get the wax buzzing: between the major federal stop, alternative contests, and junior finals, the fall 2025 season promises to be packed with exceptional heats.
Les Landes Surf Calendar 2025: Between Federal Competition and Free Surf
From Seignosse to Capbreton, the spot is set for a full month of competition. Organizers are using a waiting period to run each event in the best North Atlantic swells.
- October 24 – November 2 : French Championships, including shortboard, longboard, and para-surf.
- November 4–8 : International Final Rip Curl GromSearch in Hossegor.
- October 21–28 : Twin Fin Invitational in Vieux-Boucau.
- November 1, 2025 – April 1, 2026 : waiting period for the Rip Curl Challenge de la Nord.
| Contest | Rental | Discipline | Estimated Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Championships | Hossegor / Seignosse / Capbreton | 11 disciplines | ≈ 500 riders |
| Rip Curl GromSearch Final | Hossegor | U16 & U18 | 16 male and female surfers |
| Twin Fin Invitational | Vieux-Boucau | Twin-fin free surf | 34 free surfers |
| Rip Curl Challenge de la Nord | Hossegor – La Nord | Big wave | 50 guests |
Locals are already watching for the first strong westerly swell that could fire up the legendary La Nord wave before winter. To follow the evolution of the sandbanks, curious visitors can check the highlights captured each week.
Managing swell windows and safety at the spot
The safety team relies on equipped jet skis, a comprehensive medical setup, and a daily briefing. Local clubs—Hossegor Surf Club, Lou Surfou, and Santocha—pool their resources to ensure smooth, safe heats.
- Daily bathymetric surveys to adjust competition areas.
- Lifeguard team trained in foam rescues and equipped with O’Neill rescue boards.
- Direct coordination with Météo France and Vigicrues in the event of flooding on the Adour.
The setup, already tested during the Landes Championships, will serve as the logistical base for the entire month.
On to the next section: a look at France’s largest federation gathering.
French Surf Championships: the cream of French board sports
Eleven disciplines, forty titles, and up to ten days on hold: it’s a packed format. France’s best surfers arrive with quivers from Quiksilver, Billabong, Hurley or Soöruz.
- Open Shortboard: top 24 men, top 16 women, Banque Populaire Surf Tour final.
- Longboard, SUP surf, Para-surf: priority slots if the swell drops.
- Bodysurf & Kneeboard: sunrise sessions to take advantage of glassy sandbanks.
| Discipline | Number of titles | Potential site | Key partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shortboard | 8 | La Gravière | Roxy |
| Longboard | 4 | Les Bourdaines | Oxbow |
| Para-Surf | 6 | Capbreton – Santocha | Vans |
| Bodysurf | 2 | Les Culs Nus | Soöruz |
High-performance fans can find full analysis on the site dedicated to the championships. Experts appreciate the commitment of local clubs to providing access to a adapted surfing, included in the official program.
Equipment, innovation, and competition quivers
From ultra-light epoxy boards to retro twin fins, the 2025 quiver offers total diversity.
- Development of castor oil-based EPS blanks by All In Surfboards.
- Recycled Oxbow leashes made from recovered fishing nets.
- Soöruz Guru Pro Yulex wetsuits, 15% more flexible than the 2023 generation.
Technicians will be able to compare this data at the equipment showroom set up at the Estagnots skatepark.
Next: it’s time for the young guns and creative free surfers.
Rip Curl GromSearch & Twin Fin Invitational: the future and alternative surfing
Right after the national titles are awarded, Hossegor follows up with the junior world final. Seeds arrive from the Asia-Pacific, Americas, and European circuits.
- 16 U16 & U18 riders, man-on-man format, WSL priority.
- 60% of current CT riders are former GromSearch winners.
- Mobile competition between La Sud, Les Culs Nus, and La Gravière.
| Name | Country | Favorite spot | Junior achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahana Tevahi | Tahiti | Teahupo’o inside | 2024 ISA Champion |
| Sofi Gonzales | Spain | Mundaka | 2023 Euro Grom Champion |
| Tya Zebrowski | France | La Gravière | 2024 Pro Junior Runner-up |
| Kai Silva | Brazil | Saquarema | 2024 Grom Brasil Winner |
Fans of young talent can follow the detailed progress of Tya Zebrowski, a symbol of a sharp new generation.
Twin Fin Invitational: aesthetics before scores
Created by free surfer William Aliotti, the twin-fin contest focuses on style and creativity. The judges are… the surfers themselves. No losers—every rider leaves with a video clip.
- Format: two best waves + 45-second video edit.
- 34 participants, including Landes locals Jules Le Marre and Maud Le Car.
- Side events: shaping show, photo exhibition Vans “Dogtown to Landes” and Futures fin testing.
In 2024, the pilot edition drew 500 spectators to the sand. The new session promises to be explosive, according to behind-the-scenes glimpses revealed on the little-known backyards by insiders.
We’ll wrap up with the concrete impact on the coastal economy.
Benefits for the Landes ecosystem: tourism, shaping, and lifestyle
Coastal accommodations and shops are already reporting occupancy rates above 90%. Established brands—Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, Oxbow, Vans, Hurley, All In, Soöruz and O'Neill—are rolling out pop-up stores and beach-cleanup activations.
- Green initiatives: collecting used wax for recycling, O’Neill Blue tour.
- Performance clinics: a “cutback power” masterclass led by Pauline Ado.
- After-surf: sunset concerts and a film festival organized by All In.
| Segment | Estimated revenue | Change vs. 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | 5,2 M€ | +12 % |
| Equipment rentals | 1,4 M€ | +9 % |
| Surfwear retail | 3,8 M€ | +15 % |
| Restaurants & bars | €4.6 million | +11% |
Local businesses welcome the visibility provided by these successive events, confirming Hossegor as the European capital of beach culture. Curious visitors can dive into the French surf generation to get a sense of the local dynamism.
What is the difference between the French Championship and the Rip Curl GromSearch?
The French Championship crowns the best French surfers across all categories, while the Rip Curl GromSearch is a world final reserved for juniors under 18 who qualify through regional events.
How can I find out which spot will host the next day of competition?
Each morning at 7:00 a.m., the organizers post a call on their social media and official website, specifying the chosen spot based on the sandbanks and swell.
Can the public access the competition areas freely?
Yes, admission is free. Specific areas are reserved for athletes and the media, but the rest of the beach remains open to spectators.
Are there activities for non-surfers during the contests?
Introductory sessions, exhibitions, concerts, and screenings are organized around the sites, including partner-brand pop-up stores and eco-friendly workshops.