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 check-in point: Hossegor Surf Club; back-up at 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/24 | La Sud | Para surf & adapted para surf | 07 h 30 |
| 10/25 | Le Penon | Espoirs Shortboard | 07 h 00 |
| 10/26 | La Gravière | Shortboard Open | 07 h 00 |
| 10/27 | Santocha | Bodyboarding & Bodysurfing | 08 h 00 |
| 10/28 | Culs-nus | Longboard & SUP Surf | 07 h 00 |
| 10/29 | Le Prévent | Para surf finals | 08 h 00 |
| 10/30 | La Nord | Shortboard Open quarterfinals | 07 h 00 |
| 10/31 | Le Penon | All-category repechages | 07 h 30 |
| 11/01 | La Gravière | Open finals | 07 h 00 |
| 11/02 | Back-up Day | All disciplines | 07 h 00 |
For those who want to plan ahead, the full schedule is already published in this roadmap in detail.
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 across 10 disciplines, plus adapted para surfing, which is exploding in popularity. The names generating buzz in the line-up: Clémence Schorsch in longboard, Aelan Vaast in women’s shortboard, Justin Bécret and Jorgann Couzinet ready for a power-surf duel, Charly Quivront as an aerial outsider, and the must-see local hero Joan Duru. Note that Tya Zebrowski, world leader of the Challenger Series, has withdrawn due to 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 surfing | — | 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 on the adapted categories are available in this dedicated article, while previous results are compiled on the Landes beach database.
Example of a winning strategy: Aelan Vaast’s series at La Nord
During the September warm-up contest, Aelan scored a 17.40 combo by mixing rail-to-rail cutbacks and aerial 3s in the inside section. His epoxy board supplied by Hossegor Surf Factory illustrates the importance of staying under 2 kg for explosive maneuvers.
- 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 of Objectif Dirigeantes: October 29 dedicated to diversity and future female leaders.
- Screening under the stars of the cult film “La Nuit qui Glisse”.
- Live shaping session by the master shaper from the Seignosse Surf Club.
- Test stands for Bic Surf equipment, Rip Curl wetsuits and Roxy fitness demonstrations.
- Closing evening 1er November: giant DJ set at Place des Landais, in partnership with Billabong.
| Date | Animation | Rental | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/27 | Eco-responsible surf market | Capbreton seafront | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. |
| 10/28 | Eurosima conference on eco-design | Ocean House | 15 h |
| 10/29 | Objectif Dirigeantes | Hossegor Casino | 09 h-17 h |
| 10/30 | “The Night That Glides” | Seignosse Arena | 21 h |
| 11/01 | DJ Set & Awards Night | Place des Landais | 8 p.m.-2 a.m. |
To warm up before the event, riders can book an intensive training course via Hossegor high-level courses. And to immerse themselves in the “inside” atmosphere, this report reveals the locals’ favorite spots.
Focus on the para surf and adapted surf vibe
The para surf area draws as many spectators as the Open finals. Between amphibious wheelchairs and custom-made boards, the free introductory session organized 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 aspect 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.