Surf Guadeloupe delivers another masterclass at the Hossegor Championships: three national titles, ten podium finishes, and a place among the top three delegations competing. With raw talent and sharp coaching, the Caribbean riders confirm that the archipelago produces not only punch, but also tube-riding machines capable of setting the Landes North Shore alight.
GuadaWave riders reap a medal haul at the Hossegor Championships
The Caribbean delegation, driven by the momentum of the Guadeloupe delegation, arrived with 57 competitors and took home a haul worthy of the best editions:
- 3 national titles – honors go to Martin Mouradian (open dropknee), Cheyenne Patino-Udeba (under-15 women’s shortboard), and Matthew Maurin-Lignières (under-15 shortboard).
- 7 other podium finishes to complete the collection, including silver for Rose Calvez in girls’ shortboard and bronze for Anna Danielou in junior longboard.
- 13th title for Mouradian, the record holder in the dropknee discipline.
This performance propels GuadaWave to the status of a national phenomenon, behind the major Aquitaine teams but ahead of most mainland leagues.
| Category | Champion | Medal | Home Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dropknee Open | Martin Mouradian | Gold | WaveRiders |
| Girls’ Shortboard Under-14 | Cheyenne Patino-Udeba | Gold | Caraïbes Surf Club |
| U14 Shortboard | Matthew Maurin-Lignières | Gold | Océanik |
| U16 Girls’ Shortboard | Rose Calvez | Silver | Aloha Gwada |
| Junior Women’s Longboard | Anna Danielou | Bronze | Bleu Azur Surf |
To relive the decisive heats, the full results detail the heats, scores, and conditions. Each heat was marked by a 1.8 m WNW swell, morning offshore winds, and an exceptionally consistent sandbank, perfect for high-commitment maneuvers.
The coaches note that in the U14 division, a single missed carve could cost two places. Patino-Udeba understood this: a cutback + snap re-entry combo and a well-timed air at the end of the wave, totaling a crucial 16.40 points.
Spotlight on Guadeloupe’s outsiders
Beyond the medalists, several riders such as Léo Darquès and Maëva Selbonne came close to reaching the final. Next step: join the U18 next generation to gain experience on the European QS circuit.
- Precision backside top turn
- Reading waves before the tide sets in
- Paddling endurance inspired by “Champion’s Surf” training
This depth of talent offers exciting prospects for 2026.
Keys to success: Caribbean training and Club support
The archipelago’s ecosystem rests on four pillars:
- WaveRiders – a high-performance center focused on results and video analysis.
- Océanik – an experimental shaping lab, partner of Tropic Surfwear.
- Caraïbes Surf Club – U14 talent identification and Bleu Azur Surf equipment sponsorship.
- Aloha Gwada – “ohana” culture and mental preparation.
Thanks to these organizations, each competitor arrives in Hossegor with:
- At least two quivers – a step-up and a groveler.
- Advanced reading of cyclonic swell alerts.
- Feed-Back Loop video analysis, inspired by CT methods.
| Club | Number of athletes entered | Podiums achieved | Partner brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| WaveRiders | 15 | 5 | GuadaWave |
| Océanik | 12 | 3 | Tropic Surfwear |
| Caraïbes Surf Club | 18 | 2 | Bleu Azur Surf |
| Aloha Gwada | 12 | 0 (2 quarterfinals) | Champion’s Surf |
The results prove the importance of club-shaper-sponsor synergy. For example, Océanik chose carbon tail patches to save 60 g per board, providing crucial responsiveness in hollow sections.
Finally, integrated coaching minimized jet lag and temperature shifts, a significant advantage against the Landes autumn fronts.
Case study: Quiksilver Festival, a decisive springboard
Many Guadeloupeans had already scored at the Quiksilver Festival in Capbreton. This September dress rehearsal allowed them to:
- Test post-storm sandbank formation.
- Adapt their fine-tuned setups to lateral currents.
- Fine-tune their nutrition for the morning cold.
The “event-back-to-back” strategy therefore boosted the group’s confidence.
Impact on the French scene and upcoming challenges
These performances raise several issues for French surfing:
- How will the national staff integrate (and fund) this Caribbean wave?
- Who will be selected for the 2026 ISA Juniors?
- What quiver for the La Nord event as early as November? Find out in this guide on choosing a board for La Nord.
Coaches from mainland France are already studying the secrets of the Landes lineup to counter this tropical rise to power.
| Event | Date | Rental | Guadeloupe Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS 3000 Landes | Dec. 2025 | Seignosse | 2 surfers in the top 10 |
| ISA World Junior | May 2026 | Portugal | U16 shortboard final |
| French Longboard Cup | Aug. 2026 | Biarritz | Women’s podium |
| Surf Ranch Training Camp | Oct. 2026 | USA | Perfect progressive airs |
In the short term, mainland clubs will have to contend with this positive competition, as seen in the frustration of local surfers when conditions get crowded and Caribbean surfers score the set wave.
Behind the scenes, the Federation is working on a knowledge-sharing model: joint training camps, spot partnerships, and equipment testing. The goal: raise the overall standard, keep French surfers on podiums on the world stage, and preserve the crew spirit above all else.
What impact will this have on the local surf economy?
The Guadeloupe buzz directly benefits Landes surf shops. At the best surf shop in Hossegor, sales of kids’ soft-tops have jumped by 25%, while GuadaWave-branded 3/2 wetsuits are sold out. Bleu Azur Surf and Tropic Surfwear, partners of Caribbean clubs, are leveraging this exposure to expand their distribution across mainland France.
- Increased demand for ventilated tropical board bags.
- Limited collaborations between Landes shapers and Caraïbes Surf Club.
- Organization of “power carve” clinics sponsored by Champion’s Surf.
This virtuous cycle should benefit the entire coastline, from Landes to the Caribbean, further strengthening the ties between the two scenes.
What are the three titles won by Guadeloupe at the Championships?
Martin Mouradian won gold in open dropknee, Cheyenne Patino-Udeba retained her title in girls’ U14 shortboard, and Matthew Maurin-Lignières came out on top in U14 shortboard.
Why is the Guadeloupe delegation ranked third nationally?
With 57 competitors, 3 titles, and 10 podium finishes, Guadeloupe has accumulated enough points to move into third place behind the major mainland leagues.
Which Caribbean clubs are driving this golden generation?
WaveRiders, Océanik, Caraïbes Surf Club, and Aloha Gwada make up the winning quartet; they handle talent identification, training, and equipment support.
How should you prepare a board for La Nord in the fall?
Choose a step-up with moderate rocker, centered volume, and medium rails, along with stiffer side fins; all the details can be found in the dedicated guide.
What upcoming competitions are Guadeloupe surfers targeting?
The QS 3000 in Seignosse in December, the ISA World Junior Championships in Portugal in May 2026, and the French Longboard Cup in Biarritz in August 2026 are all on the schedule.
