Surfing Waves

Hiya
Im heading off to Hossegor area in July for some surf, although having read other people's comments am considering going somewhere north of Hossegor as I hate surfing where its packed and the two campsites there seem to be totally full and a drive to the beach. Any ideas where we might be able to camp in that sort of area. We would much prefer a campsite with a few portaloos and emptier beach near by than crowded surf....Any advice much appreciated!
Thank you
Jodie

Moliets is nice, been a few years since I went there last, was never busy, gets some nice banks.

Le Penon has a big camping ground, again, sweet waves there, but still gets busy.

If you go inland a bit, Soustons is a cool place to stay, there's a great camping ground there, and 15 minutes or so drive to the nearest beach.

You can take your pick ofthe hundreds of peeks north and south of Hossegor. Just watch for the rips along the coast. some areas are worse than others thanks to the submerged WWII bunkers etc.

Hi Jodie Leigh
I have been goingto Hossegor since 1988 as a kid with my parents. Its a quality place to surf!

To be honest I have never had any problems with crowds I have been in May, June, July and August. The last two weeks of July and most of August is the french holidays so it does get more packed. However you will find the main breaks are the ones the get packed and usually straight in front of the beach access points.

You have Le Gravier, Les Estagnots, La Bourdaines and Le Penon these are the main breaks spanning a stretch of beach maybe 2 miles long. inbetween these breaks are numerous other peaks there could be half a dozen peaks at each break! If you walk a few hundred yards up the beach it will be less crowded.

Your best bet is to stay at the Camping Municipal which sits a short walk away from Les Bourdaines. This is pretty central to all the breaks. The other thing is if you are prepared to get up early say in the water for 7am then you will almost certainly get some surfs with no one else in! The crowds only arrive when the surf schools hit the water and they usually kick off mid morning so by then you have had your fill and the offshore winds and can no go get some pain au chocolates and a litre of yop. Then your ready for the lunch time session as the french have their siesters and by 3pm they start filtering back to the beach.

It really is not that bad in July the end of August is bad becasue the pros hit town and they hog each break and drop in, snake you and literally bad vibe the whole break!

A site you should check out for info is www.touradour.com it has all the info you will require getting camp site info, places to eat and just general information. I am very jealous its a great place to surf.

I went in June last year and it was dead! Literally some of the shops were still closed in Le Penon and the beaches were desolate. I hated it ! July and August the whole place lights up the bars open till late and everyone is having a blast!

Hope thats helpful if you need more info let me know only too pleased to help but really dont worry about the crowds the beach is way big enough to cope!!! I have been surfing 21 years now and surfed all over Europe but I have to say the best surfs I have evre had are at Hossegor. Its a magical place!! #

The following links show daily photos and videos from the area!
http://www.surf-report.com/modules.php? ... x&catid=12

shows the whole surfing coast check Hossegor, Seignosse, Capbreton, Anglet and Biarritz

http://www.viewsurf-attitude.com/rubriq ... 2faca065ed

This site shows vids of the area updated hourly! Very cool!