How to Surf in Gironde, France

Gironde is the region that surrounds Bordeaux, France. The long stretch of coast is vastly different from the winding rocky beaches that edge northern France. Gironde is sandy with many tall grasses and dunes. It is also the home of Les Mascarets, just outside of Bordeaux city. Les Mascarets is a natural phenomena where the tide of the river rises, creating a small wave that rolls for 120 kilometers. It has become a regional tradition to watch the wave. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surfboard
• Wetsuit
• Car
• Map
• French Phrasebook

How to Surf in Gironde, France

1. Go to L’Amelie first. Fast and hollow waves break at L’Amelie. This completely undeveloped area is as beautiful as it is pristine. A campsite near the beach is the only development. Despite being so remote, it can become crowded during the summer, probably because of the high consistency of waves.

2. Move on to Le Gurp. Large swells bring long lefthanded waves with plenty of tubes to this beachbreak. If Le Gurp gets too crowded, or occasionally hostile, try looking slightly north at La Négade. Watch for the nudists south of the beach.

3. Explore Le Pin Sec. The long stretch of untouched coast has an untold amount of peaks waiting to be surfed. While there are strong riptides in places, you are bound to find many more waves, some reaching over 3 meters, that are perfect within this 10 kilometers of beach.

4. Surf by yourself at Le Crohot des Cavales. Even if they aren’t the best waves of France, there are rarely any other surfers there, let alone a crowd. Make sure to bring a bike, as there’s no road access.

5. Try to find a wave at Lacanau. Not that there aren’t many waves here, but quite the contrary. Lacanau has been a contest site for over 30 years, and it is the most central break in Bordeaux, which makes it extremely crowded. Very consistent, very fun and the possibility of very big waves make it very crowded.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many other breaks in the area that you can find with a car.
• The nearest airports are La Rochelle and Bordeaux.
• Surfing can be dangerous or evenly deadly. Make sure to familiarize yourself with your equipment before surfing.
• When exploring new spots, respect the locals, and make sure that you are constantly aware of your surroundings. Conditions can change very quickly.

Resources

• Weather and Wave Forecasts

[ericeira]

on 10/23/2008 accomodation Ericeira :
http://www.portugal-villa.com