Surfing: A look back at the highlights of the tube of the week for September 8

The swell during the week of September 8 offered a rollercoaster of thrills for wax insiders, with mythical barrels, explosive competitions and top riders on fire on the major spots. With glassy sets on the Atlantic coast, thick tubes at Cloudbreak and the crème de la crème of competitors shaking up the rankings, the surfing world was buzzing with the names of Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Billabong and Vissla. Focus on the sequences and news that left their mark on line-ups and minds.

World Surf League: major hits and top honours on the Championship Tour

At Cloudbreak, the CT final validated the supremacy of Molly Picklum for Australia and Yago Dora for Brazil. Their victory didn't fall from the sky, but was the result of a stratospheric regular season and unfailing commitment in the most tense series.

• Battle between leaders and challengers Caroline Marks and Griffin Colapinto, US outsiders, sold their skins dearly right up to the last section, forcing a perfect reading of the wave and total commitment on every turn.
• First world title for Picklum and Dora, symbolizing a new wave that is making its mark on CT with style and determination.
• These performances have been hailed by team managers and long-standing partners such as Hurley, Oxbow and Roxy, all galvanized by the current momentum.

The 2026 season promises to be a busy one, with a redesigned WSL calendar: 7-month break before resuming at Bells Beach, cut at Trestles, then decisive stages in Abu Dhabi and Portugal before the grand finale at Pipeline, which will count double! A format designed for marathon regulars, rewarding endurance and composure.

Spot	Champion	Brands in sight	Key event
Cloudbreak (Fiji)	Molly Picklum / Yago Dora	Rip Curl, Billabong, Quiksilver	CT Finals, world crown
Pipeline (Hawaii)	Coming soon	Roxy, FCS, Saint-Jacques Wetsuits	CT 2026 final (double score)

Challenger Series and France's hopefuls: Tya Zebrowski in pole, the next generation sharpened up

The transition to the elite promises to be intense. Tya Zebrowski, a rising star at Tahiti/Hossegor, dominates the Challenger Series rankings, topping the qualifying top 7 at just 14 years of age. The Portuguese are not letting up, while Nadia Erostarbe from Zarautz is keeping a watchful eye.

• In the men's category, Kauli Vaast (Tahiti/Vieux Boucau) and Jorgann Couzinet (Réunion) remain in the top 20, proving the high density of European surfing.
• Our ambitions have increased tenfold for the Portuguese phase at Ribeira d'Ilhas at the end of September.

To find out more about youth dynamics, discover how the French surf generation is shaping the world stage.

Surfer	Age	Ranking	Nationality
Tya Zebrowski	14	1st	Tahiti/France
Kauli Vaast	21	12e	Tahiti/France
Jorgann Couzinet	28	17e	Reunion/France

Shorebreaks of fire on the Basque coast: competitions and news to follow

Between QS Europe and Open de France, spots in the Landes and Basque regions vibrated to the magic of Swell and the inventiveness of riders loyal to Vissla, Quiksilver or Saint-Jacques Wetsuits. In Anglet, the French Bodysurf and Kneeboard Open brought together the cream of the aquatic lifestyle.

• Alix Schorsch dominated the Cavaliers in Open and Kneeboard, taking both regional titles.
• Biarritz Sauvetage Côtier took the podium in all bodysurf categories (Nathan Lehoux, Uhaina Hegias, Ruben Cambas).
• The Pantin Classic was won by Anat Lelior (Israel) and Guilherme Ribeiro (Portugal).

Focus on the Queen Classic Surf Festival this weekend in Biarritz, where inclusivity, festive spirit and uninhibited surfing come together at the St Charles Surf Cup on the legendary Grande Plage. An iconoclastic festival that will appeal to purists.

Event	Location	Winner(s)	Partners
Bodysurf French Open	Les Cavaliers, Anglet	Alix Schorsch	Vissla, Saint-Jacques Wetsuits
Pantin Classic QS	Galicia	Anat Lelior, Guilherme Ribeiro	Rip Curl, Hurley

Junior power: focus on up-and-coming talents in the line-up

The French breeding ground has never been stronger, with six U16 surfers selected for the Worlds in Peru. Hendaye Bidassoa Surf Club, the Basque country's flagship club, has four champions in its blue team. In the WSL Europe juniors at Bundoran (Ireland), Maria Salgado and Dylan Donegan Dos Santos sniffed out the bombs and secured victory in tricky conditions.

• Nahia Monte (Hossegor) takes a well-deserved 2nd place; Anaïs Blanchard, 4th.
• Lilou Rumiel (Biarritz, 9th) and Axel Dominguez (Hossegor, 4th) are in the starting-blocks for 2026.
• With the support of partners such as FCS and Roxy, the next generation of skiers and snowboarders is being actively encouraged.

To keep abreast of developments, keep an eye on the detailed surf reports in Hossegor and beach info in the sector.

Focus on the French elite: the French team and ambitions at the ISA Worlds

After two runner-up finishes, France arrives in Salvador with an exceptional line-up. Olympic champion Kauli Vaast, Sam Piter (Hossegor), as well as youngsters Aelan Vaast, Kiara Goold and Clémence Schorsch, all under the guidance of legendary staffers Jérémy Florès and Joan Duru, not forgetting Pauline Ado. Their stated aim: to climb to the top of the world.

• A team built on experience and daring, combining historic figures and new blood.
• A warm atmosphere thanks to a mix of club, school and sponsors like Quiksilver and Billabong.
• Preparation calibrated to Salvador tubes.

To find out how Hossegor's local community is getting involved, read the focus on the surfing championship in Hossegor, and the impact of Pierre Rollet's passage during the exceptional hurricane - a case study to be found here : Pierre Rollet and Hossegor in the storm.

Surfer	Title	Club/Origin	Objective 2025
Kauli Vaast	Olympic champion	Vieux-Boucau/Tahiti	ISA world title
Sam Piter	Winner Lacanau Pro	Hossegor	World podium
Aelan Vaast	Women's hope	Hossegor/Tahiti	ISA Final

When local surf culture brings Hossegor to life: breaks, paradoxes & festivals

Hossegor remains at the heart of surf culture worldwide. The Quiksilver Festival and the Slater-Vaast showdown have put the spot back in the spotlight, combining roots traditions, innovation and debates on the evolution of the industry. The Landes basin oscillates between the thirst for authenticity and the temptation of the mainstream, to be explored on the surf industry: paradoxes.

• The Hossegor wave continues to attract riders and free surfers from all horizons: find out all the latest info on the star spot.
• Unique synergies with renowned brands, always on the lookout for innovation on the board (Oxbow, FCS, Hurley).
• A dynamic mix of experience, heritage and the desire to push back the boundaries: the Quiksilver Festival Hossegor bears witness to this every year.

The delicate balance between old-school surf culture and 21st-century demands can also be seen in the event poster, captured during the Slater-Vaast Festival.

Event	Date	Location	Issues
Quiksilver Festival	Every summer	Hossegor	Celebrating surf culture
Slater-Vaast Showdown	Spring	Hossegor	Elite performance

Questions surf & tubes: answers for wax enthusiasts

• What are the best spots for world-class tubing in Hossegor?
  La Gravière remains the iconic spot for deep barrels, especially in autumn. Les Culs Nus and Les Estagnots are also popular with locals and international riders alike for their ability to hold solid swells with vertiginous drops.
• How can I follow the weather and Swell forecasts in Hossegor in real time?
  Detailed forecasts are available on Surf Report Hossegor, with focus on wind, period and swell to anticipate the perfect session.
• What are the major developments in wetsuits and equipment in 2025?
  Brands such as Saint-Jacques Wetsuits and Hurley incorporate new eco-designed materials, with improved flex, lightness and comfort. FCS dominates the scene with its high-performance daggerboards, acclaimed by the CT elite.
• How do you break into the pro surf scene when you've just come off the French junior circuit?
  Starting out on the Challenger Series, taking part in local Opens and lining up for contests organized by Billabong, Quiksilver or Oxbow: it's the ideal launch pad for targeting the CT elite.
• What surf festivals should you attend in Hossegor to experience the authentic culture of the spot?
  The Quiksilver Festival and satellite competitions, as well as annual cultural events organized around the local surfing community, are must-sees.