Hossegor caught fire : nine days of perfectly angled swell, a lineup packed with killers, and a dense crowd that came to savor the smell of wax heated by the Landes sun. The Quiksilver Festival 2025 crowned Zeke Lau and Leonardo Fioravanti, whose ultra-committed surfing lit up a firing sandbank. Here’s the full breakdown, ride report style.
Quiksilver Festival 2025 competition recap: Lau & Fioravanti dominate the session
The contest unfolded over four days timed to catch the best of the waiting period: swell from Storm Gabrielle, offshore winds, and hollow sections just right for sending turns and airs. After six themed heats—Best Combo, Biggest Turn, Mixed Tag Team—the Lau/Fioravanti duo claimed the ultimate prize.
- Highest-scoring move: Zeke’s layback gouge, 9.27 pts.
- Most committed aerial: Fioravanti’s full frontside rotation, 9.10 pts.
- Unexpected ride: Kauli Vaast’s alley-oop, launched from the inside bowl.
| Final standings | Nation | Total points |
|---|---|---|
| Zeke Lau & Leonardo Fioravanti | Hawaii / Italy | 68.29 |
| Kyllian Guerin, Sam Piter, Noa Dupouy | France | 66.26 |
| Kanoa Igarashi & Alan Cleland | Japan / Mexico | 65.19 |
To watch each heat again, this comprehensive recap brings together scores, GoPro replays, and Red Bull interviews.
Surf, skate & sound vibes: Hossegor in board culture mode
Between sets, Boiteux Beach turned into a giant playground. Roxy hosted a sunrise yoga session, Vans set up the mobile bowl, while live sets rocked through sunset.
- Concerts: hard rock lineup curated by Red Bull.
- Skate contests: best trick by Vans, with banging coping.
- Eco workshops: upcycling wetsuits O'Neill into tote bags.
- Photo exhibit: 15 film shots from the latest Rip Curl.
| Daytime | Morning | Afternoon | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 3 | Surf expression session | Skate bowl finals | House/techno DJ set |
| Day 6 | Board test Hurley | Shaping demo | Garage rock concert |
| Day 9 | Beach clean-up | Biggest Turn finals | Closing party with live band |
The full aftermovie will be released soon, but a preview is already available via this Capbreton report.
Perfect swell and an innovative format: how the competition turned around
La Tropicale Gabrielle delivered a consistent 1.8 m swell, 13-second period, light NE wind: the ideal glassy combo. The judges, armed with GoPro live-scoring tablets, scored every move using a scale combining progression and style.
- Best Combo: at least two maneuvers, with a smooth transition required.
- Biggest Turn: a single turn, with amplitude and commitment dominating the power criterion.
- Tag Team: 20-minute relay, each surfer keeps their best score.
| Heat | Top score | Move | Exact spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Combo | 18.34 pts | Carve + slob air reverse | North Bank |
| Biggest Turn | 9.27 pts | Layback power gouge | Central Bank |
| Tag Team | 64.02 pts | 4 combined rides | South Bank |
The technical details and interview with former champion Kelly Slater about Kauli Vaast’s strategy can be found in this comprehensive analysis.
Local impact: Hossegor Surf Club at the heart of the action
The festival isn’t limited to the pros. Behind the scenes, the Hossegor Surf Club supervised the Heritage Camp, offering groms a fully immersive experience: sharing a locker room with Kai Lenny, equipment advice Billabong and a visit to the organic cafeteria.
- 40 selected young surfers, 6 coaching sessions.
- Equipment recycled through the neoprene circular program O'Neill.
- Economic impact estimated at a 12% increase for surf shops.
| Indicator | 2024 | 2025 | Evolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festival visitors | 52,000 | 58,400 | +12% |
| Shortboard sales | 4,500 | 5,300 | +18% |
| Hotel / Airbnb nights | 31,200 | 34,800 | +11% |
For an even broader overview, this weekly video roundup compiles the key moments, while the Capbreton focus is detailed on this page.
Who won the 2025 Quiksilver Festival?
The duo of Zeke Lau (Hawaii) and Leonardo Fioravanti (Italy) claimed the trophy with a combined total of 68.29 points across the six rounds.
What was the best wave of the contest?
The best wave belonged to Zeke Lau: a layback gouge scored 9.27 points in the “Biggest Turn” round.
How did the groms from the Heritage Stage take part?
Invited as guest stars, they surfed in the mixed Tag Team event, shared the lineup with the pros, and received personalized coaching from Hossegor Surf Club.
Does the festival offer disciplines other than surfing?
Yes: skate bowl, live concerts, photo exhibits, eco-friendly workshops, and Roxy sunrise yoga sessions filled the nine days.
Where can I find the full replays?
Full heats, GoPro angles, and analysis are available on the media platform indicated on the 2025 edition recap page.