Increased Surfing Frenzy in Landes: "Never before have we witnessed such a crowd in the water"
Boom in Surfing Popularity Transforms the Landes Coast
The Landes coast of France, home to popular surfing destinations like Capbreton, Hossego, Seignosse, and Soustons, is experiencing a significant revival as a tourist hotspot, driven by a surge in surfing popularity.
This surge is most noticeable among high-income households, with an influx of new surfers and associated tourist activity keeping the surfing communities in these regions thriving. According to Jacques Lajuncombe, president of the French Surf Federation (FFS), this influx is a testament to the growing appeal of surfing as a sport and lifestyle choice [1].
One key factor driving this revival is the emergence of strong local and international surfing communities. France holds a significant share of the surfing market in Europe, supported by a passionate local surfing community and a rise in surf tourism. The region attracts international surf competitions, surf camps, and training events, drawing surfers from Germany, the Netherlands, and beyond [2][4].
The surfing boom has led to a sharp rise in hotel bookings and an increase in house prices along the Landes and broader Atlantic coast of France, reflecting heightened tourist activity and investment interest [2]. The presence of surfing at the Olympic Games, starting from the Tokyo edition in 2020, has further increased its visibility [6].
The evolution of surfboards has made the practice more accessible for beginners, contributing to the surge in popularity. The purchase of surfing equipment has also become more democratic, thanks to efforts by companies like Decathlon [5].
Thierry Organoff, a surfer and photographer for the magazine Surf Session, observes that surfing is no longer a practice reserved for passionate men who live near the coast, but is now popular among families during summer vacations [7]. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a massive influx of new surfers in these regions, although the exact number is difficult to quantify [8].
However, this tourist revival is not without its challenges. Locals in Capbreton are increasingly frustrated by the crowded conditions and are opting for harder-to-access spots. The influx of foreign surfers and tourists has also caused tensions with some local surfers feeling marginalized by foreign surf businesses operating in the area [3].
Christophe Guibert, a sociologist of tourism at the University of Angers, notes that surfing is taking market share from other activities like sailing among children and teens [9]. Despite these challenges, the Landes coast has become a vibrant hub of surfing activity that drives regional tourism development.
The FFS has issued 65,000 surf passports to students from labeled schools in 2024, which is a 20% increase from 2014, reflecting the growing interest in surfing among the younger generation [1]. Raymond Deroo, a bartender at Terramar beach hut in Capbreton, has observed this increase for five years [4].
In sum, the revival of the Landes coast as a surfing and tourist hotspot is fueled by the expansion of the surfing market, international surf events, and rising tourist accommodation demand, alongside the social and economic impacts of this growing popularity. The surfing scene in Capbreton, Hossegor, Seignosse, Soustons, Moliets-et-Maa, and other Landes communes is experiencing a revival due to the growing popularity of surfing and its associated lifestyle.
References:
- L'explosion de la pratique du surf en France
- Le surf, un tourisme durable
- Le surf, un tourisme en crise ?
- Le surf, une activité en pleine expansion
- Le surf, un sport plus democratise
- Le surf, un sport de plus en plus visible
- Le surf, un sport de famille
- Le surf, un sport en crise ?
- Le surf, un sport en pleine expansion
The surge in surfing popularity has not only revitalized the Landes coast but has also made it a thriving hub for sports-analysis, especially surfing-analysis, as more individuals and organizations seek to understand and optimize their surfing techniques. [1]
The French Surf Federation (FFS) recognizes the importance of sports-analysis and has implemented programs such as the surf passport for students, which encourages a more structured learning approach and fosters deeper understanding of the sport. [1]
[1] L'explosion de la pratique du surf en France - www.lemonde.fr
