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Blog · 5 octobre 2026

The French Surfing Championships: A Wave of Competition in the Heart of the Landes

The 61st French Surfing Championships return to the Landes: ten intense days as France’s best watermen and waterwomen challenge each other in the swells of Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton. The Landes beach breaks promise committed rail work, firing tubes and an XXL spectacle powered by the French Surfing Federation.

French Championships 2025: schedule, disciplines and Landes surf spots

From October 24 to November 2, three iconic surf spots will host the heats: Les Estagnots in Seignosse for power, Plage Sud in Hossegor for WCT-caliber barrels, and Santocha in Capbreton for its tactical side. More than 550 riders from the Junior and Open categories will defend their colors across ten disciplines.

The 10 disciplines lining up for the swell

Each competition draw brings together the best of French surfing; the variety of boards guarantees a complete show.

  • Shortboard : the premier event, where aerials meet full-rail carves.
  • Longboard : cross-steps and nose rides for retro-modern surfing.
  • Bodyboard & Bodysurf : total immersion, close to the heart of the wave.
  • Para surfing & Para surf adapted : inspiration and performance combined.
  • Kneeboard, Skimboard, SUP surfing, Tandem surfing : unconventional quivers that spice up the line-up.
Day Main spotlight Flagship discipline Target tide
Oct. 24–25 Les Estagnots Shortboard Open Low tide
Oct. 26–27 South Beach Longboard & SUP Rising
Oct. 28–29 Santocha Bodyboard / Bodysurf High tide
Oct. 30–31 Mobile spots Para surfing & Kneeboard Depending on conditions
Nov. 1–2 South Beach Shortboard finals Mid-tide

The live broadcast will air on NoA and france.tv on October 31 at 2 p.m. (or November 1 if the west wind picks up).

Riders to watch and their favorite boards

Between young guns and podium-seasoned veterans, the field is shaping up to be stacked. Core brands like Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Billabong or Roxy are already fine-tuning their wetsuits while Saint Jacques Wetsuits is teasing its latest front-zip model.

Five names to tick off on the fantasy draw

  1. Tya Zebrowski : the French-Tahitian prodigy capable of posting 9-point backside scores.
  2. Benoît Carpentier: five-time SUP surfing champion, backed by Oxbow.
  3. Léo-Paul Étienne: a regular-footed kid from the Caribbean, now accustomed to Hossegor’s sandbanks.
  4. Anne-Cécile Lacan: a stylish longboarder and ambassador for Soöruz.
  5. Arthur Arutkin: a complete waterman, once again in contention for the SUP/longboard double.
Rider Origin Discipline Preferred board
Tya Zebrowski Tahiti / Landes Shortboard 5’6 epoxy swallow – Pronounced rocker
Benoît Carpentier Brittany SUP surfing 7’2 carbon Pro Model
Léo-Paul Étienne Guadeloupe Shortboard 5’10 PU squash – Channels
Anne-Cécile Lacan Basque Country Longboard 9’4 single – Classic noserider
Arthur Arutkin North SUP / Longboard 9’0 performance pintail

To get a better sense of the new generation, take a look at this analysis of the French surfing generation. It breaks down training routines, from morning cold-water dips to drone-filmed sessions.

Blue economy and eco-friendly commitment around the event

Bringing together 550 athletes and thousands of fans requires solid logistics. The organizers combine minimal impact with positive vibes through concrete actions.

Green initiatives already confirmed

  • Electric shuttles between surf spots: a partnership between Hossegor Surf Club and the Soorts-Hossegor town hall.
  • Collection of used surf wax for recycling into handcrafted candles.
  • “Blue Schools” program run by Biarritz Surf School to raise awareness among 600 students.
  • Used wetsuits collected by All In : refurbished into ponchos and yoga mats.
Partner Action CO₂ emissions avoided target
Hossegor Surf Club Electric shuttles -3.2 t
All In Neoprene upcycling -1.4 t
Soöruz Bio-based wetsuit trial -0.8 t
French Surfing Federation Carbon neutrality for the event -5 t

Adaptive surfing projects are also taking over the line-up thanks to the spotlight on these outstanding athletes. An inclusive sandbank that changes the game.

Live coverage, media formats, and fan experience

The competition goes into digital second-reef mode: replays, real-time stats, and behind-the-scenes footage filmed from the channel.

How to catch the best waves

  1. High-definition livestream on NoA and france.tv.
  2. Instagram Stories from the Hossegor 2025 hub : scores, locker-room gossip, streaks coming to an end.
  3. Recap videos available on the weekly best-of.
Date Time to hit the water Discipline Platform
Oct. 31. 14 h Shortboard semifinals NoA
Nov. 1 14 h Repechage finals if postponed france.tv
Nov. 2. 12 p.m. Awards ceremony On-site screen + web

For fans on site, this practical guide details parking areas, locally sourced food trucks, and test board sessions led by Rip Curl.

What are the official venues for the 2025 French Championships?

The heats take place at Les Estagnots (Seignosse), Plage Sud (Hossegor), and Santocha (Capbreton). A mobile venue may be activated if the swell requires it.

How can I access the live stream if the event is postponed due to weather?

The broadcast automatically moves from Friday, October 31 to Saturday, November 1, at the same time (2 p.m.); the streaming links remain the same.

Can I take part in the beach cleanups without being a competitor?

Yes, volunteers can register on site with the Hossegor Surf Club every morning at 8:30 a.m. and receive gloves, bags, and a quick safety briefing.

Which brands will offer gear demos in the event village?

Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong, Oxbow, Soöruz, and Saint Jacques Wetsuits are bringing boards, wetsuits, and accessories to try for free.

Where can I find detailed results for each discipline?

The full score table is updated in real time on the official French Surfing Federation website and shared on surf-hossegor.com as soon as each heat ends.

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