Hossegor was on fire : nine days of perfectly aligned 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, who delivered ultra-committed surfing on a blazing sandbank. Here’s the full debrief, ride report style.
Quiksilver Festival 2025 competition recap: Lau & Fioravanti dominate the session
The competition unfolded over four days scheduled during the best of the waiting period: swell from Storm Gabrielle, offshore winds, and just the right amount of hollow sections for turns and airs. At the end of the six themed heats – Best Combo, Biggest Turn, Mixed Tag Team – the Lau/Fioravanti duo claimed the top prize.
- Highest-scoring maneuver: Zeke’s layback gouge, 9.27 pts.
- Most committed aerial: Fioravanti’s frontside full rotation, 9.10 pts.
- Unexpected ride: Kauli Vaast’s alley-oop, launched from the inside bowl.
| Final standings | Country | 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 relive every heat, this comprehensive recap brings together scores, GoPro replays and Red Bull interviews.
Surf, skate & sound vibes: Hossegor in board culture mode
Between two sets, Boiteux Beach turned into a giant playground. Roxy hosted a sunrise yoga session, Vans set up the mobile bowl, while live sets rocked until sunset.
- Concerts: hard rock lineup curated by Red Bull.
- Skate contests: best trick by Vans, killer coping.
- Eco workshops: upcycling O’Neill wetsuitsO'Neill into tote bags.
- Photo exhibition: 15 film shots from the latest FinalRip Curl.
| Daytime | Morning | Afternoon | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 3 | Surf Expression Session | Skate bowl finals | House/techno DJ set |
| Day 6 | Board testHurley | Shaping demo | Garage rock concert |
| Day 9 | Beach clean-up | Biggest Turn Finals | Closing party with live band |
The full aftermovie will be out soon, but a preview is already available via this report from Capbreton.
Perfect swell and an innovative format: how the competition turned around
Tropical Storm Gabrielle delivered a steady 6-foot swell, 13-second period, light NE wind: the ideal glassy combo. The judges, equipped with live-scoring tablets, GoProscored each move using a scale that combined progression and style.
- Best Combo: at least two maneuvers, with a smooth transition required.
- Biggest Turn: single turn, with amplitude and commitment taking precedence in the power criterion.
- Tag Team: 20-minute relay, with each surfer keeping 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 just for the pros. Behind the scenes, the Hossegor Surf Club oversaw the Heritage Camp, offering groms a fully immersive experience: sharing a locker room with Kai Lenny, gear advice Billabong and a stop at the organic cafeteria.
- 40 young surfers selected, 6 coaching sessions.
- Recycled equipment thanks to 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 spotlight is detailed on this page.
Who won the Quiksilver Festival 2025?
The Zeke Lau (Hawaii) – Leonardo Fioravanti (Italy) duo claimed the trophy with a cumulative total of 68.29 points across six heats.
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” heat.
How did the Heritage Stage groms take part?
Invited as guest stars, they surfed the mixed Tag Team event, shared the lineup with the pros, and received personalized coaching from the Hossegor Surf Club.
Does the festival offer disciplines other than surfing?
Yes: skate bowl, live concerts, photo exhibitions, eco-friendly workshops, and sunrise yoga sessions by Roxy filled the nine days.
Where can I find the full replays?
Full heats, GoPro angles, and analyses are available on the media platform indicated on the 2025 edition recap page.
