Surfing Europe

[Mivv]

Well, I'm new to the site, but been surfing a few years...

I'm planning a trip round Europe to begin in August-September this year, and I wonder if peeps on here have a list of places to visit to surf in France.

I keep looking at the magic seaweed venues... what is the frequency of these places, ie how often do they go off, eg La Torche, and N.France. Reason is I am going straight from the surf to work a season at a chalet- boarding.

I'm used to surfing North Devon and Cornwall surfs, but am from Bournemouth, so not as much practise as some of you guys, which is why I'm posting...

I feel at home up to 4ft, and 6ft if the wave's not too heavy, but after that I dont like to push the limit too much. Looking at the sites, some of the waves are monsters, so just wondering about recommendations?

Incidentally, I surf a 9'6 single fin Neville, and a 6'6 single fin Harbour Spherical Revolver, so my style is relaxed.

Hot tips mucho appreciated!

Mivv

[PapaW]

As the majority of Frances breaks are shore breaks, on the good days you'll be out of your depth if your not willing to push it. But then If you've not been surfing abroard before you'll be shocked by the power and punch behind the waves, esp if like you say are used to surfing Bournmouth. However saying this there are planty of locations to suit the longer board.

Have a look through www.wannasurf.com for an idea of mellower break locations. As a general rule, South of Birritz/Bidart are in majority reef setups with occasional sandy coaves. The coast to the north is pretty much all sand with endless shories and beach breaks. Mixed in amonst them you'll find longer sand banks and stretchs of the coast where the waves don't jack up in a Hossigorr style, but are more attuned to longboarding ~(but thats few and far between really) Further north again and you start getting into similar to UK conditions and locations with a happy mix of all break types.

August is the peek for SW european conditions so you'll be unlucky not to get some cracking sessions in furth south, but if you intend to be in the northen half for most of your time then be there from the start of september onwards for the beginging of the autaum swells (which also benifit the UK)

Also with such a short time try not to pack too much into your trip iteninery, its a big coast.

[Mivv]

Hey cheers mate.

I do surf N.Devon and Cornwall far more than Bournemouth, generally if I'm at home it means I'm too busy to surf here anyway. I used to surf a 6'4, and have been out on big swells in Croyde, St.Ives, Bigbury and Harlyn mostly, but I enjoy the relaxed nature of the longboard wave, and the friendliness of all the guys out back rather than fighting for a peaking shorey.

I've only surfed in Biarritz once, and when I did it wasnt really very big, so no problems with it. I have bodyboarded years ago in the north of France, but was with my parents, and so dont really remember the names of places as I wasnt driving.

I have loads of time after the ski season to find other breaks and plan to be in Europe for as long as possible, so there is no problem with time in 2007, just the month or so before the season starts.

My cousin has lived in France for around 20years, and is in the north, so I am hoping to visit him, then straight on to some surf on the N.coast. Say, PapaWoolacombe, werent you on the JustKampers forum?

Cheers

[PapaW]

Ah well Then you'll be sorted out there really. Can use your board of choice where ever you are. There are some real gems about where you might only find a few people out. North of Hossigarr (sp) much of the coastline is jsut dunes and pine forrests. You can find tracks and roads that lead to the coast and there are raly more than a few people out. That would be right up your street if you fancy the more laid back approach.

When I've been out along thoese coasts everyones been friendly and even tho the language barrier is there the nod of appreciation for a well ridden wave remains the same through out.
I hope to get back along there and further afield down to portugal with my partner in our van next year.

Deffo worth the hunting.

And yep, thats me on the JK forum too :p

[Mivv]

Excellent stuff... You have a T4 dont you? I just sold the type 2 to buy myself a motorhome for a big trip. I want to live in it, so it needed to be self sufficient, ie onboard water etc....

Ended up with this as it was the right price and is ideal! Even has an outside shower as well as inside!



Its just a little more difficult to get down the lanes, especially in Cornwall as I have realised!


I am looking at areas around La Torche (not necessarily La Torche itself as I have heard it can be a heavy break). Just to give a better idea of where I will be...

Cheers[/url]

[PapaW]

Aye thats the downside for sure, the size and hight really restricts where you can go. Not to mention its not the most descrte of vechiles. But then My partner and I are at the stage where we can't afford to be at a campsite every night etc So the T4 is the bomb in that respect and it gets under ll the hight restrictions!

There are pros and cons to everythign for sure.

La Tourch is a really nice area esp in the early autum. Sounds like a sweet trip!