Unique surf spots...
Specificities of surfing in Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse
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Welcome to the european capital of surfing!
The three municipalities of les Landes attract surfers from all around the world for decades, most of the time for a trip but also sometimes to permanently live there. It is a cosmopolitan place where you can cross surfers of many nationalities throughout the year. They do not come here by chance . The coastal shoreline configuration is exceptional. In this regard, I invite you to discover the excellent site wikiocean created by the writer and poet Hugo Capbretonnais Verlomme , a " man of the sea " passionate who tells you in detail the geological history of Capbreton Guf .
The Guf is a submarine canyon (larger than the Grand Canyon!) which starts in the center of the output port of Capbreton and which also explains the choice of the port's location. These deep waters act on the swell and distribute it differently on the beaches of Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse. Just take a look at the photo only to notice the difference in wave size at the same time between the spot of the North with waves of 4 meters and the spots of Le Prévent and Savannah ( Santocha ) with leaner half waves! To simplify, the beaches of Seignosse receive the swell launched at full speed, the ones of Hossegor transform it in order to magnify the waves depending on the orientation of the swell and the tides (the spots of the North and La Gravière) and then are filtered , attenuated (spots in the South and Notre Dame of Capbreton, up north of the port exit). Capbreton beaches, from the port to the South, are gradually giving scope to the original swell : the spots are highly protected, such as those in the Estacade and the Central beach, and the waves gain in height between Le Prévent and the Blockhaus to regain much of their power from the beach Les Océanides.
This geological jackpot located in front of a giant wave machine, the Atlantic Ocean, is the explanation of the variety of spots and surfing opportunities given within a 10 km radius. Capbreton in particular, offers solutions that enable the practice of surfing all year long whatever the size of the waves are.
The three municipalities of les Landes attract surfers from all around the world for decades, most of the time for a trip but also sometimes to permanently live there. It is a cosmopolitan place where you can cross surfers of many nationalities throughout the year. They do not come here by chance . The coastal shoreline configuration is exceptional. In this regard, I invite you to discover the excellent site wikiocean created by the writer and poet Hugo Capbretonnais Verlomme , a " man of the sea " passionate who tells you in detail the geological history of Capbreton Guf .
The Guf is a submarine canyon (larger than the Grand Canyon!) which starts in the center of the output port of Capbreton and which also explains the choice of the port's location. These deep waters act on the swell and distribute it differently on the beaches of Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse. Just take a look at the photo only to notice the difference in wave size at the same time between the spot of the North with waves of 4 meters and the spots of Le Prévent and Savannah ( Santocha ) with leaner half waves! To simplify, the beaches of Seignosse receive the swell launched at full speed, the ones of Hossegor transform it in order to magnify the waves depending on the orientation of the swell and the tides (the spots of the North and La Gravière) and then are filtered , attenuated (spots in the South and Notre Dame of Capbreton, up north of the port exit). Capbreton beaches, from the port to the South, are gradually giving scope to the original swell : the spots are highly protected, such as those in the Estacade and the Central beach, and the waves gain in height between Le Prévent and the Blockhaus to regain much of their power from the beach Les Océanides.
This geological jackpot located in front of a giant wave machine, the Atlantic Ocean, is the explanation of the variety of spots and surfing opportunities given within a 10 km radius. Capbreton in particular, offers solutions that enable the practice of surfing all year long whatever the size of the waves are.
4 seasons in Capbreton
We can surf all year long in almost all parts of the world ... even the coldest. The Landes offer an open window of surfing 365 days a year. Everything becomes a matter of motivation, equipment and fitness. With the temperature of the water that ranges from 12°C in the winter to 21°C in the summer, nothing is impossible for the surfer with a suitable neoprene wetsuit.
Spring : the most extreme surf weather
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The spring surfing in Capbreton gathers all extremes conditions concerning the weather, with perfect sunny days which follow storms, tiny swells replaced the next day by big waves and temperatures that start at 12-13°C late March to reach 19°C in early June. This season is characterized by instability, however, accompanied by a sense of optimism, with the lengthening of the days that allows more opportunity for the surfer (ability to surf several trips during the day) and temperatures are warming quikly when the sun is at the appointment. The closest we get to the summer, the smallest the waves become. It is during this season that we begin to explore the potential of new surf spots born from a brewing of water and sand made during the big swells of the winter. Anyways, full of surprises with more hours of sun! Personally, I prefer the end of May and the early June period, which often proves to be excellent for surfing.
Summer : surfing for everybody!
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Summer is characterized by a significant decrease in the size of the waves. The anticyclone of the Açores holds back the storms in the North Atlantic and ensures more regular hours of sun on our shores. The waves are less powerful and more erratic, the wind direction breaks a little bit the swell, especially in the afternoon. The morning and evening when temperatures are lower and the wind calms down, it can often be " magical ." This is the ideal time for learning with more accessible spots.
Automn: The best of surfing
Quiksilver Pro France
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Autumn is considered as the best time for surfing in France.
From a purely meteorological point of view, the ideal conditions are often used for the postcard: the North Atlantic depressions comes back while the anticyclone of Açores still lingers above our heads. The result is some nice long swells under a still generous sun. Temperatures remain pleasant until at least early November and the winds are better oriented in good weather, because of a thermal balance between water and land.
Victim of its success, this season still has a nice buzz in the world of surfing, including unavoidable events such as the Quiksilver Pro France in late September or beggining of October. If the fins are itching a little after discovering surfing, go ahead and extend your time passion for a weekend or a few days in Autumn...
Victim of its success, this season still has a nice buzz in the world of surfing, including unavoidable events such as the Quiksilver Pro France in late September or beggining of October. If the fins are itching a little after discovering surfing, go ahead and extend your time passion for a weekend or a few days in Autumn...
Winter: big and fresh...and still good!
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Winter also offers lots of surprises, good to know: waves rather solid everyday and days without wind or offshore wind. The major disadvantages are: a too short daily window to cope with the tide and a sunset before the end of work or school (isn't it right kids?). Wetsuits equipments are used to face the cold in good conditions but restrict movement and give a feeling of heaviness (isn't it right guys?) that is not necessarily suited to the challenge offered by the Atlantic at this time (waves regularly reaching 3-4 meters... ). Anyways, you better be in a good shape, well equipped and willing to rub yourself to powerful waves.
Storm in the beggining of the century. January 2009. Port of Capbreton
