On the eve of the Mimizan Surfing Games, the Landes resort is getting ready to pulse to the rhythm of team surfing where every relay counts as much as the wave ridden. From June 5 to 7, the South Beach becomes the arena for a team sport unlike any other: 30 crews, around 150 riders, and one shared obsession—boosting the club’s score in a high-energy Tag Team format.
Mimizan Surfing Games 2026: the team comes first
Forget the Garluche peak—head due south to take advantage of a sandbank that holds the swell at every tide. The spot configuration provides an optimal window for surfing, even though westerly winds are still forecast for Saturday. Organizers are counting on 1 to 1.2 m surf with morning offshore winds: perfect for stringing together rollers and noserides without losing flow.
South Beach spot: a lineup shaped for Tag Team
The strategic choice of this setup is no coincidence: fast takeoffs, a hollow inside section, and moderate current all come together to make transitions smoother. The judges will set up their tower facing the main peak, keeping an eye on the arm signals that will now validate every handoff in the water.
A revamped Tag Team format to boost the spectacle
The Federation has refined the rules to align with World Club Championship standards. Heats last from 40 to 60 minutes; the best individual score is counted, and a “dry sand” bonus is awarded if the final relay surfer gets out before the buzzer. The result: no downtime, just committed surfing.
- Handoffs take place in the water, not on the beach.
- One score per surfer, requiring them to choose the premium wave.
- A timed bonus that can turn a close heat on its head.
- Mixed-gender lineups are mandatory.
- Direct qualification for Snapper Rocks 2027 for the top two clubs.
Crew makeup: mixed-gender teams and fine-tuned strategy
Shortboard and Longboard now each have their own national title. Between time management and reading the waves, the coach has to play their cards skillfully. Here’s a look at the quotas:
| Category | Shortboard | Longboard |
|---|---|---|
| Ondine | 1 | 1 |
| Junior | 1 (mixed) | – |
| Master (≥ 1985) | 1 | 1 |
| Open | 1 | 2 |
| Coach | 1 | 1 |
No doubling up: each rider can represent only one category. The Landes clubs, seasoned by surf weekends in the Landes, have fine-tuned their rotations on the Hossegor sandbanks all winter.
A springboard to Snapper Rocks: international stakes
Since last year, the top two Interclubs finishers have earned a wildcard for the World Club Championship, scheduled for February 2027 on the legendary Snapper Rocks right-hander. Coaches are already talking about backside lines under the Australian sun, but without a podium finish in Mimizan, there’s no long-haul ticket. For a detailed weather briefing, some clubs even monitor cyclonic swell alerts to anticipate the Landes window.
Interclubs honors list: Landes dynasties and watchful outsiders
Since 2018, the trophies have traveled between the Basque Coast and southern Landes. A quick look back recalls Hossegor’s dominance and Seignosse’s rise:
- 2025: 29 Hood Surf Club
- 2024: Lou Surfou Seignosse
- 2023: Biarritz Association Surf Clubs
- 2022: Pirates Surf Club
- 2021 and 2019: Hossegor Surf Club
- 2018: Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie Surf Club
The local Mimizan Surf Club, energized by support from the Surf Village, hopes to shake up the hierarchy, backed by around forty volunteers ready to get to work at dawn.
What are the exact dates of the French Interclubs Championships?
The heats run from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, with teams welcomed on the 5th, followed by active competition on the 6th and 7th at Mimizan South Beach.
How does the ‘dry sand’ bonus work?
If the final relay surfer exits the water and reaches the dry zone before time runs out, the team receives extra points that can make all the difference in a close heat.
Which clubs will qualify for Snapper Rocks 2027?
The 2026 Interclubs champion and runner-up will earn their ticket to the World Club Championships held in Australia.
Can spectators attend the events for free?
Yes, access to the beach and the Mimizan Surfing Games village is free; only the team area is reserved for competitors and officials.
Does longboard have its own title this year?
Yes, a national interclub longboard title is being created, with a specific team composition and a Tag Team format identical to shortboard.