When the Landes swell shows its teeth, only the real crew knows that a line-up can quickly turn into a construction site. On August 30, on Capbreton's Santocha beach, an episode shook the surfing community like a wipeout on an early-morning slab. Sandrine Carassou, a renowned instructor at the Go and Surf school, was on the front line to extricate a German tourist trapped in Dantesque conditions. The rescue highlighted the day-to-day commitment of local watermen and waterwomen, far removed from podiums and flashy Quiksilver or Oxbow sponsorships. When the sea hands out seriousness, no one knows who will have the reflex or the courage to throw themselves into the broth: on this day, the ocean didn't do anyone any favors.
An extreme rescue on Capbreton's Santocha beach
Heading for Santocha, a Capbretonnais spot well known to discerning riders. On this Saturday, the orange flag was flying and the swell was around 2.50 m, generated by ex-hurricane Erin. Alerted by a dark mass tossed between two sets, Sandrine Carassou, 44 years old, flippers on, but without a board or Aqualung gear, rushed into the water. A 30-year-old German newlywed on her honeymoon is fighting for her life, caught in the vicious currents typical of this area. As soon as she approached the water, the situation took a critical turn: the victim resurfaced between two sets, but was caught in each new wave.
Risk factors during a rescue in Capbreton
Without floatation aids, managing a stressed victim in a current zone requires a technical skill rarely valued outside the pro circuit. According to Sandrine, “we had to drop her several times”, overwhelmed by the day's massive series. Faced with the emergency, three rescue swimmers joined the maneuver. Together, they extracted the young woman from the spot, heading for the sand, heart stopped. Long minutes of resuscitation followed, while the medical chopper, sponsored by the Region and not by Roxy or Rip Curl, was dispatched.
- Very powerful cyclonic swell (see swell conditions on Hossegor Cyclone).
- No Bic Surf or rescue board.
- Victim exhausted by intense bay current.
- Santocha wave in heavy swell described here: Wave Hossegor.
| Risk factors | Impact on rescue |
|---|---|
| Cyclonic swell | Risk of aspiration and brittle series, difficult to rescue |
| No rescue board | Difficulty stabilizing the victim |
| Baïne current | Extra physical effort for the rescue swimmer |
| Maximum stress for the victim | Unpredictable actions, danger for the rescuer |
Post-shorebreak: supporting the victim and family after the rescue
The commitment of a surf coach doesn't end with the return to dry land. On the sand, the victim's partner, Mikaëla, is desperately looking for her other half. Faced with the language barrier, Sandrine becomes a translator and moral support, a far cry from the classic “safety training” session at Tribord or Décathlon.
Essential support for family and friends
In the refectory of the Bayonne hospital, Sandrine stayed until the end, relaying every vital piece of information to Mikaëla and the family who had flown in from Germany. It's hard to imagine the emotional impact of such a situation outside the surfing microcosm: loved ones will recall powerful words for the rescuers. “You didn't just save Celina's life, you saved ours.”
- Linguistic and moral support throughout the night.
- Monitoring health status until recovery from induced coma.
- Shock management for immediate family and friends.
- Emotional involvement over several days.
| Post-rescue action | Consequences for the family |
|---|---|
| Translation of each medical step | Stress reduction, understanding the situation |
| Night-time presence at the hospital | Ongoing psychological support |
| Contact with medical teams | Better management of anxiety |
The place of surf instructors in the culture of lifesaving in Hossegor and Capbreton
This feat of arms reopens a central debate in Hossegor and all along the coast: what recognition is there for surf instructors in the safety chain? Like the historic figures featured in the pages of Surf Session, or the Patagonia ambassadors, these coaches face the same risks as rescue swimmers, often without the cover or official recognition that goes with it.
Issues of recognition and compensation for independent instructors
The absence of a clear status leaves surfing's indie and micro-entrepreneurs exposed: during a rescue, they sometimes cancel their lessons with no assurance of payment, put their safety at risk, and fight for a minimum of recognition. It's an issue that's taken up every time there's a big swell, when the solidity of the system is put to the test not only by the local community, but also by local authorities and even equipment manufacturers like Bic Surf, Roxy or Patagonia, who invest in prevention. It's not just a question of boards or signed leashes, but of respect for those who, on a daily basis, ensure that every session doesn't turn into a nightmare.
- Instructors on the front line of bay-related tragedies.
- Little or no specific coverage in the event of an accident.
- Compensation compromised when a rescue interrupts a course.
- The debate is accentuated during large cyclonic swells (see details here).
| Profile | Current care | Rescue risk |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance surf instructor | None or very low | High, no dedicated insurance |
| Municipal lifeguard | Covered by the Town Hall or the State | Supervised by the NS collective |
Risk management and prevention on the Landes coast: surf culture, hazards and responsibilities
Every summer, the list of interventions grows longer: rescues in the shorebreak, incidents linked to bayes, or improbable accidents such as being buried under the sand. Municipalities - backed by aquatic giants such as Tribord, Oxbow and Décathlon - introduce restrictive measures and awareness-raising campaigns, sometimes even relayed in line-ups or on Surf Session's “prevention” pages.
List of preventive measures observed in Hossegor and Capbreton
- Reinforced signage (flags, multilingual information panels).
- Mixed NS and instructor patrols on heavy swell days.
- Annual lifesaving courses for partner surf schools Quiksilver, Rip Curl or Bic Surf.
- Municipal by-laws to limit the depth of holes on the beach.
- Coordinated operations during “wave-submergence” alerts (read the full alert).
| Safety measures | Direct profit |
|---|---|
| Orange/red flag for heavy swell | Early warning for locals and tourists |
| Increased presence of seasonal supervisors | Reactivity in critical situations |
| Anti-hole signs on the beach | Reduced risk of accidental burial |
Questions / Answers
-
What are the main risks of swimming and surfing in Capbreton?
The combination of heavy swell, unpredictable baïne currents and powerful shorebreak make this a challenging spot, especially during cyclonic episodes. The main risks are drowning, wave trauma and shifting sand. -
What role do surf instructors play in accident prevention?
They provide round-the-clock surveillance, relay safety information and sometimes lead the front-line intervention when a rider, bather or walker is in trouble. Their knowledge of the spot and local hazards is invaluable. -
What equipment is recommended for rescue operations?
The ideal rescue board (Bic Surf type), fins, leash and, if possible, an Aqualung-type first-aid kit. But in reality, many rescues are done with bare hands, as Sandrine showed this time. -
Where can I find out more about swell and safety in Hossegor?
Reliable resources include surf-hossegor.com/houle-cyclonique-hossegor-surf/ and surf-hossegor.com/vague-hossegor/, and the Météo France vigilance page. -
How can I learn beach prevention and rescue?
A number of local surf schools, in partnership with Roxy, Quiksilver and Oxbow, offer training courses open to all, from basic safety to bay rescue and first aid.
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