Celebration of Waves: French Surfing Championships in Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton

From the line-up to the parking lot, the entire Southland coast is already buzzing with anticipation for the French Surfing Championships: ten days of competition spread over the sandbanks of Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton. Here's the complete schedule, vintage 2025, for riders who don't want to miss a single round.

Strategic calendar and choice of spots for the French Surfing Championships

From October 24 to November 2, the contest takes place in the most reliable autumn window in the Atlantic. Race directors juggle with the swell to choose the best sandbank, in “spot-mobile” mode: La Nord for 2 m bombs, Le Penon if the wind shifts offshore, and Culs-nus when a deeper inside is required.

• Weather window monitored 24/7 by Météo France and Surf Report.
• Main checkpoint : Hossegor Surf Club; back-up on Seignosse Surf Club and Capbreton Surf Club.
• Beaches closed to the public only when shorebreak exceeds 2.5 m.

Day	Spotlight	Priority disciplines	Call time
24/10	La Sud	Para surf & para surf adapted	07 h 30
25/10	Le Penon	Espoirs Shortboard	07 h 00
26/10	La Gravière	Shortboard Open	07 h 00
27/10	Santocha	Bodyboarding & Bodysurfing	08 h 00
28/10	Culs-nus	Longboard & SUP Surf	07 h 00
29/10	Le Prévent	Para surf finales	08 h 00
30/10	La Nord	Shortboard Open quarts	07 h 00
31/10	Le Penon	All-category repechages	07 h 30
01/11	La Gravière	Open finals	07 h 00
02/11	Back-up Day	All disciplines	07 h 00

For those who want to plan ahead, the full agenda is already published in this roadmap detailed.

Follow the competition in real time

Live-scores, drone replays and technical analyses will be broadcast on the Federation's YouTube channel, while Quiksilver, Rip Curl and Oxbow shops will relay key heats in-store.

• Official FS Surf app: push alerts before each semi-final.
• Contest Zone with public Wi-Fi sponsored by Eurosima.
• Dedicated corners at Billabong and Roxy for rider autographs.

Riders, disciplines and performance issues

This edition features 513 competitors spread over 10 disciplines, plus adapted para surfing, which is exploding in popularity. The names that are driving up the buzz in the line-up: Clémence Schorsch in longboard, Aelan Vaast in women's shortboard, Justin Bécret and Jorgann Couzinet ready for a power surfing duel, Charly Quivront as an aerial outsider, and the inevitable Joan Duru as local hero. Please note that Tya Zebrowski, world leader in the Challenger Series, has withdrawn for medical reasons.

• Shortboard: 96 riders, double repechage format.
• Longboard: 44 entries, man-on-man finals.
• Bodyboarding and bodysurfing: minimum swell 1.2 m for launching.
• Para surfing: 11 titles already awarded after two days offshore.

Discipline	Outgoing champions	Favorites 2025	Key materials (partners)
Shortboard H	Joan Duru	Couzinet, Bécret	Bic Surf 5’11” round tail
Shortboard F	Tya Zebrowski*	Aelan Vaast	Roxy 5’8” swallow
Longboard	Clémence Schorsch	Schorsch, Quivront	Oxbow 9’4” noserider
Para surf	—	11 titles already awarded	Custom adaptive boards
Bodyboard	Last item: P. Boelen	R. Giraud	Rip Curl PP core

*Title vacant following Zebrowski's forfeit.

Details of adapted categories are given in this dedicated article, while previous winners are compiled on the Landes beach database.

Example of a winning strategy: Aelan Vaast's series at La Nord

In September's warm-up contest, Aelan scored a 17.40 combo with cut-backs rail-to-rail and aerial 3 inside. His epoxy board, supplied by Hossegor Surf Factory, illustrates the importance of lightness under 2 kg for exploding sections.

• Take-off critical on the northwest peak.
• First turn directly into the pocket to maximize the score.
• Smooth transition before the concluding air reverse.

Onshore entertainment: surf culture and parties that bring people together

The Championships aren't just about series. The entire event area is alive with concerts and educational events, creating an atmosphere that even locals compare to the great days of the Quiksilver Pro.

• Launch Objectif Dirigeantes October 29: a day dedicated to gender diversity and future female leaders.
• Screening under the stars of the cult film “La Nuit qui Glisse”.
• Live shape session by the Seignosse Surf Club.
• Test stands for Bic Surf equipment, Rip Curl wetsuits and Roxy fitness demonstrations.
• Closing evening 1^er November: Giant DJ set at Place des Landais, in partnership with Billabong.

Date	Animation	Location	Schedule
27/10	Eco-responsible surf market	Capbreton seafront	10 a.m.-6 p.m.
28/10	Eurosima conference on eco-design	Ocean House	15 h
29/10	Objectif Dirigeantes	Hossegor Casino	09 h-17 h
30/10	“La Nuit qui Glisse”	Seignosse Arena	21 h
01/11	DJ Set & Awards Night	Place des Landais	8 p.m.-2 a.m.

To warm up before the event, riders can book an intensive course via Hossegor high-level courses. And to immerse yourself in the “inside” atmosphere, this report reveals the favorite spots of the locals.

Focus on the para surf and adapted surf vibe

The para surf area attracts as many spectators as the Open finals. Between amphibious chairs and custom-built boards, the free initiation orchestrated by Capbreton Surf Club is fully booked every morning.

• ISA-certified supervisors.
• Logistical support provided by the HandiGlisse association.
• Customized Bic Surf soft-top boards.

The inclusive component is developed in this folder published in partnership with the Federation.

How do you find out the exact spot every morning?

The official call is published at 7 a.m. on the Federation website and relayed in the mobile application. The local clubs' social networks also announce the final choice of spot around 15 minutes later.

Is there a charge for parking during the event?

The La Centrale, Santocha and Le Penon parking lots remain free of charge before 9 a.m.; beyond this time, a daily fee of €5 will be charged to finance beach security.

Is it possible to register as a last-minute wild-card?

No. The selections are made upstream by the regional leagues. Any wild-cards have already been allocated to the headliners by the Federation.

Where can I find the full list of winners after the finals?

The prize list will be posted online a few hours after the awards ceremony on the federal website, and a summary will be available on the Surf-Hossegor specialized page accessible from the championship summary article.

Do you offer free introductory courses?

Yes, every morning from 9 a.m. to noon, Hossegor Surf Club hosts soft-top discovery sessions limited to 20 participants. Registration required the day before at the exhibitors' village.