Situated in the Aquitaine region of southwestern France, which is primarily known for its pine forests, expansive sandy beaches and vertiginous sand dunes, Hossegor is regarded as something of a Mecca for French surfing and SUP Surf aficionados. With many well-known surf spots, including La Gravière, L’Estacade and Le Santocha, among others, the local area attracts surfers from all across Europe (and beyond), who are drawn in by the relatively unspoiled coastal landscapes and the French Atlantic’s capacity to produce formidable waves.
While the local surf scene here has been thriving for many years, the advent of stand-up paddle in Hossegor, with its host of enthusiastic disciples, has recently rejuvenated the locality’s propensity to entice crowds in search of exciting board sport activities. Indeed, the prime cruising conditions provided by Hossegor’s local lake, which is linked to the ocean via canal, have been instrumental in attracting a new kind of tourism inextricably linked to SUP. Though locals have been getting in on the action too. The nearby town of Vieux Boucau has notably produced well-known riders such as Florent Dode and Olivier Darrieumerlou, who are both famed for their love of extreme long-distance endurance races. With growing pedigree, Hossegor has become particularly renowned for flatwater as well as SUP surf, as the lake’s ample dimensions and favourable conditions provide the perfect aquatic playground.
The growing popularity of SUP in the area has also given rise to new local SUP brands and manufacturers. Chief among these is Anonym SUP. So proud is Anonym of its Hossegor provenance that it eagerly emblazons the town’s name on its official seal, nobly proclaiming that it is not merely where the brand’s inflatable boards and accessories are designed, but also where they are “tested and approved”. And this within the good company of the local SUP scene’s major players.
The highlight of the SUP year in Hossegor now comes in May, as May 2017 kicked off the inaugural annual Hossegor Paddle Games. For this first edition, held between 26 and 28 May 2017, the EuroTour SUP, the French Surfing Federation (FFS), the municipal authorities and the Hossegor Surf Club organised a series of competitive SUP events expected to turn into an annual event. Focusing on three separate sprint, long-distance and technical showdowns, all the ingredients were there to make this first edition the start of something really wonderful, which is sure to draw in crowds for many editions to come. Â
29 Nov 2023
Les 6 HEURES DE L’ERDRE OCTOBRE ROSE ont offert une expĂ©rience exceptionnelle malgrĂ© les caprices de l’automne, avec deux tempĂŞtes qui ont encadrĂ© l’Ă©vĂ©nement. Le samedi 11 novembre, entre ces deux tourmentes, plus de 100 participants ont saisi l’opportunitĂ© de pagayer aux couleurs d’Octobre Rose le long des rives de l’Erdre, grâce Ă une accalmie […]
20 Oct 2023
Picture this: a winding river, hidden in the heart of the enchanting Ardèche region of Southern France, with its mesmerizing landscapes, dramatic twists, and thrilling whitewater sections. This is the stage for the Marathon de l’Ardèche, an exceptional multi-craft event that has captured the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide. In our exclusive interview, Paolo Marconi, a […]
2 Oct 2023
With three victories in the last three races of the week, the French team won the 10th edition of the Stand Up Paddle World Championships this Sunday in Les Sables d’Olonne (VendĂ©e). MĂ©lanie LafenĂŞtre and NoĂŻc Garioud, both winners of the sprints (200m), clinched their first ISA World Champion titles. The French mixed relay team, […]
22 Sep 2023
SIC Maui, the renowned global brand specializing in SUP, Surf, Foil, and Wingfoil, has proudly announced its collaboration as an official partner for the upcoming 2023 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship in Les Sables d’Olonne in the beautiful coastal town of Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Below, you’ll find their official press release: “SIC Maui, […]
21 Sep 2023
The 2023 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) is set to gather the world’s best SUP Surf, SUP race and Paddleboard athletes in Les Sables d’Olonne, France from September 24 – October 1. Don’t miss one of the biggest events on the planet this year. Here are 10 things you need to know […]
20 Sep 2023
Originaire de Bordeaux, le jeune Louka Brard a quittĂ© sa ville natale il y a un an pour s’installer en famille Ă Crozon après avoir goĂ»tĂ© aux plaisirs des downwinds bretons. Il a ainsi pu se rapprocher du Crozon Watermen Club, oĂą sa passion pour le SUP Race s’est mĂ©tamorphosĂ©e, prenant des allures quasi-professionnelles, agrĂ©mentĂ© […]
6 Sep 2023
Christophe Colussi, alias Chris Puremagic, co-organisateur du Yaka Paddle Festival revient pour TotalSUP, sur la magnifique Ă©dition qui a eu lieu le 27 aoĂ»t dernier. On souffle, on prend le temps, on reprend notre souffle. On vient de vivre un Yaka fort en Ă©motions. Très fort mĂŞme. On l’avait cherchĂ©, On l’a trouvĂ©. Retour sur […]
26 Jun 2023
In the middle of May two intrepid paddlers loaded up a van with their SUP gear and headed south from the UK to the Dordogne River in France with one aim, to paddle as much of the river as possible. James Belcher and John Cobo are not ultra-distance athletes but two men with their boards, […]
26 Jun 2023
The International Surfing Association (ISA) has confirmed today that France and Denmark have been appointed as respective hosts of the 2023 and 2024 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championships (WSUPPC). Here is the official press release. 2023 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championships > Les Sables d’Olonne, France! The 2023 and 2024 editions will […]
