By the time surfers competing on the Challenger Series land in France for its sixth events, the Quiksilver and ROXY Pro France, an idea will have begun to form of the athletes who are within shot of qualification for the 2023 Championship Tour.
The events run from October 12-23 and will take place at one of the world's iconic stretches of beach-break waves, between the three cities of Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse -- the beating heart of French surfing.
Event information
The sixth of eight Challenger Series events this year, there are 10,000 qualification points on table for whoever can top the podium. The 96-man and 64-woman fields are made up of Championship Tour surfers, as well as competitors drawn from the seven WSL Regional Qualifying Series around the world. The events will be streamed live on Worldsurfleague.com and the WSL app.
Nikki Van Dijk getting barrled in France at the 2019 ROXY pro France - WSL / Damien Poullenot
Championship Tour surfers can compete on the Challenger Series regardless of where they sit on the CT rankings, which means the draw for both men and women is absolutely stacked with talent.
The beach breaks of this region produce heaving barrels and ripable walls, enjoyed here by Caroline Marks - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Break Dynamics
The iconic stretch of sand between the three cities of Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse are constantly hailed as some of the world's best beach breaks and for good reason.
This ultra-consistent stretch of sand may look like one long, monotonous beach, but don't be fooled -- each little corner of a sandbank can produce a very unique wave, potentially world-class on its day, as has been seen through the region's long history as a Championship Tour stop. When its good, think big, heavy and hollow beach breaks, often breaking right on the shore.
Leonardo Fioravanti enjoy some tube time in France - WSL / Damien Poullenot
But with variety and potential also comes with some of the trickiest conditions surfers will have faced during the 2022 Challenger Series season. There are especially big tidal swings in this part of the world, and this coupled with a sudden change in the wind can turn any great session into a nightmare. On the other hand, a seemingly soft, dormant little wave can turn epic at the drop of a hat.
History
France has just about everything a person needs to be content in life: Fine wine, a vast array of delicious cheeses and food, a beautiful language, and if you're a surfer, heaving beach breaks in the Bay of Biscay.
Specifically, we're talking about the Landes region, where you'll find seaside communes like Capbreton, Seignosse, and Hossegor, where the events will take place.
These three towns are at the center of French surfing and for good reason. The shifting sands along this stretch of coastline produce some of the most hollow, powerful, and perfect beach break barrels on earth.
John John Florence back in 2014 -- the region has been a long-time stop of the Championship Tour - WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France, Landes is a unique destination when it comes to surfing. The beaches are dotted with bunkers leftover from World War II, and just inland from the coastline sits the largest manufactured pine forest in Western Europe.
Plus, up and down this strip of sand are marvelous surf towns starting with the lovely city of Biarritz. With its gentle waves, it's a perfect place for beginner surfers to learn the basics of surfing. What's more, it's also a great place to sample some of the best Bordeaux wine in the world after a long day of wave sliding.
As you move north out of Biarritz, you'll come across the aforementioned towns of Hossegor, Capbreton, and Seignosse, where things in the water get very serious when the conditions align.
Thanks to a massive underwater canyon that sits just offshore, big North Atlantic swells are filtered through the Bay of Biscay and slam into the nearshore sandbars. It's not uncommon for the waves at surf spots in this area to reach 10-feet or higher.
Usually, the swells that produce waves of this magnitude occur during the fall and winter months, but even the summer season can have its days. If you're planning a surfari, be sure to check long-range Hossegor, Capbreton, or Seignosse surf reports on Surfline.
Given the perfect waves Landes is known for, it's no wonder this place has churned out excellent male and female surfers. From big wave charger Justine Dupont and competition veteran Pauline Ado to Championship Tour veteran Joan Duru, this place knows how to bring out the best in water lovers and turn them into world-class surfers.
Because of the world-class waves Les Landes France can offer on tap, the beaches here have been home to countless professional competitions over the decades. The biggest one being the Quiksilver/Roxy Pro France that has been a staple on the Championship Tour since 2002.
Jeremy Flores listed his win at the 2019 Quiksilver Pro France as the most meaningful of his career - WSL / Damien Poullenot
For 2022, it's been set as the sixth stop on the Challenger Series. It's scheduled for the middle of October, which marks peak season for surfing in the south of France. The last time this contest was held as a CT in 2019, Reunion Island local and French national Jeremy Flores took home the crown in front of a frothing local crowd.
Flores claimed it was the most meaningful victory of his career. That's saying something considering this is a guy who is a two-time Pipeline Master Champion and a Billabong Pro Teahupoo champion.
Essentials: What You Need To Know About The 2022 Quiksilver And ROXY Pro France
Ben Collins
By the time surfers competing on the Challenger Series land in France for its sixth events, the Quiksilver and ROXY Pro France, an idea will have begun to form of the athletes who are within shot of qualification for the 2023 Championship Tour.
The events run from October 12-23 and will take place at one of the world's iconic stretches of beach-break waves, between the three cities of Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse -- the beating heart of French surfing.
Event information
The sixth of eight Challenger Series events this year, there are 10,000 qualification points on table for whoever can top the podium. The 96-man and 64-woman fields are made up of Championship Tour surfers, as well as competitors drawn from the seven WSL Regional Qualifying Series around the world. The events will be streamed live on Worldsurfleague.com and the WSL app.
Championship Tour surfers can compete on the Challenger Series regardless of where they sit on the CT rankings, which means the draw for both men and women is absolutely stacked with talent.
Break Dynamics
The iconic stretch of sand between the three cities of Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse are constantly hailed as some of the world's best beach breaks and for good reason.
This ultra-consistent stretch of sand may look like one long, monotonous beach, but don't be fooled -- each little corner of a sandbank can produce a very unique wave, potentially world-class on its day, as has been seen through the region's long history as a Championship Tour stop. When its good, think big, heavy and hollow beach breaks, often breaking right on the shore.
But with variety and potential also comes with some of the trickiest conditions surfers will have faced during the 2022 Challenger Series season. There are especially big tidal swings in this part of the world, and this coupled with a sudden change in the wind can turn any great session into a nightmare. On the other hand, a seemingly soft, dormant little wave can turn epic at the drop of a hat.
History
France has just about everything a person needs to be content in life: Fine wine, a vast array of delicious cheeses and food, a beautiful language, and if you're a surfer, heaving beach breaks in the Bay of Biscay.
Specifically, we're talking about the Landes region, where you'll find seaside communes like Capbreton, Seignosse, and Hossegor, where the events will take place.
These three towns are at the center of French surfing and for good reason. The shifting sands along this stretch of coastline produce some of the most hollow, powerful, and perfect beach break barrels on earth.
Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France, Landes is a unique destination when it comes to surfing. The beaches are dotted with bunkers leftover from World War II, and just inland from the coastline sits the largest manufactured pine forest in Western Europe.
Plus, up and down this strip of sand are marvelous surf towns starting with the lovely city of Biarritz. With its gentle waves, it's a perfect place for beginner surfers to learn the basics of surfing. What's more, it's also a great place to sample some of the best Bordeaux wine in the world after a long day of wave sliding.
As you move north out of Biarritz, you'll come across the aforementioned towns of Hossegor, Capbreton, and Seignosse, where things in the water get very serious when the conditions align.
Thanks to a massive underwater canyon that sits just offshore, big North Atlantic swells are filtered through the Bay of Biscay and slam into the nearshore sandbars. It's not uncommon for the waves at surf spots in this area to reach 10-feet or higher.
Usually, the swells that produce waves of this magnitude occur during the fall and winter months, but even the summer season can have its days. If you're planning a surfari, be sure to check long-range Hossegor, Capbreton, or Seignosse surf reports on Surfline.
Given the perfect waves Landes is known for, it's no wonder this place has churned out excellent male and female surfers. From big wave charger Justine Dupont and competition veteran Pauline Ado to Championship Tour veteran Joan Duru, this place knows how to bring out the best in water lovers and turn them into world-class surfers.
Because of the world-class waves Les Landes France can offer on tap, the beaches here have been home to countless professional competitions over the decades. The biggest one being the Quiksilver/Roxy Pro France that has been a staple on the Championship Tour since 2002.
For 2022, it's been set as the sixth stop on the Challenger Series. It's scheduled for the middle of October, which marks peak season for surfing in the south of France. The last time this contest was held as a CT in 2019, Reunion Island local and French national Jeremy Flores took home the crown in front of a frothing local crowd.
Flores claimed it was the most meaningful victory of his career. That's saying something considering this is a guy who is a two-time Pipeline Master Champion and a Billabong Pro Teahupoo champion.
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