France isn’t just big barrels and steep takeoffs. There are also heaps of options for the beginner surfer in Hossegor – here are just a few of Southwest Surf House’s favourites.
Hossegor is a world class surf destination for good reason.
The main break, which goes by the name of La Graviere, was a highly anticipated stop on the World Surf League tour up until its cancellation in 2020.
Before it came to an abrupt halt though, this event was known for its heaving waves which broke so close to the shore that surfers would practically end up rubbing shoulders with the encroaching crowd after finishing their ride on the sand.
In short, these waves were dangerous, dramatic and definitely not user-friendly. However, there’s more to surfing Hossegor than just death-defying shorebreak surfing.
Surfing in Hossegor for beginners is actually incredibly easy.
Not only are there a bunch of excellent Hossegor beginner surf spots, but we here at Southwest Surf House provide everything a new surfer needs in order to hit the waves.
In this article, we discuss our favourite Hossegor beginner surf spots.
From the super mellow peaks of La Sud to the cruisy waves of Les Estagnots, these Hossegor surf spots are ideally suited to enthusiastic beginners just like you.
Hossegor beginner surf spots
La Sud
Skill level: Beginner
Wave type: Beachbreak
Bottom type: Sand
Offshore wind: East-southeast
Hazards: Stray surfboards
Regarded as the most sheltered of all Hossegor’s beginner surf spots, La Sud is popular with surf schools and surf camps because it rarely gets out-of-control big. The tradeoff here is that it can be absolute carnage in the lineup, so best be on your guard. There’s a good mix of left and right breaking waves and the takeoffs are quite soft. If you want our advice, Les Estagnots is way better for the sole reason that it doesn’t get nearly as busy.
Le Culs Nus
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
Wave type: Beachbreak
Bottom type: Sand
Offshore wind: East
Hazards: Nudists
Situated between La Graviere and Les Estagnots, Les Culs Nus can work at any time of the year. There are both left and right breaking waves and the vibe is pretty cruisy. It can, however, get quite hollow at low tide. The good news here is that you can always walk or paddle a bit further to the north and surf at Les Estagnots. Oh… and in case you didn’t know, Les Culs Nus (which translates to naked asses) is a nudist beach. So if you forget your boardies or bikini… don’t stress! You’ll fit right in.
Les Estagnots
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
Wave type: Beachbreak
Bottom type: Sand
Offshore wind: East
Hazards: Shorebreak
Les Estagnots is the closest beach to Southwest Surf House. Located less than 5 minutes’ walk or under a minute ride by bike, it has a reputation for producing consistently fun surf at both low and high tide. There are also several cool little beach bars, such as Le Surfing, nearby. This means you can enjoy riding playful waves all day with your new surf house friends then watch the sunset with a drink in hand – that’s the life.
Les Bourdaines
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
Wave type: Beachbreak
Bottom type: Sand
Offshore wind: East
Hazards: Rips
If you go a little further north up the beach from Les Estagnots you’ll find yourself at Les Bourdaines – a Hossegor beginner surf spot that almost always has a wave and is the site of the surf school that we use. Of course, this attracts a few people who are wanting to escape the crowds in Hossegor. But if you go early in the morning or for a sunset surf you can generally find a mellow little peak. Just remember to watch for rips or strong currents.
Le Penon
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
Wave type: Beachbreak
Bottom type: Sand
Offshore wind: East
Hazards: Strong currents
If Les Estagnots and Le Culs Nus are too busy for your liking, Le Penon is also worth checking. It can be inconsistent and it definitely doesn’t offer the same all-year reliability that breaks further to the south, but you can still score a sneaky session here and there. Works best when the swell is small to medium and the tide is between high and low.
Messanges
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
Wave type: Beachbreak
Bottom type: Sand
Offshore wind: East
Hazards: Loneliness
Finally, another Hossegor beginner surf spot (that’s not actually in Hossegor) is Messanges. This is a super chill spot with similar beachbreak waves to the ones you can find in Hossegor… but without the crowds! There are a-frame peaks (waves that break both left and right) and a beach shack that sells food and drinks on the sand. The lineup itself is also quite large, which means you can take your pick when it comes to choosing a sandbank to surf.
Frequently asked questions – Hossegor surfing for beginners
It’s clear that Hossegor surfing for beginners is a guaranteed good time. The waves, the sunsets, the boozy nights that always produce some laughs… we love living here and we know you’ll love it too. But in case you still have a few questions about surfing in Hossegor as a beginner, here’s some helpful information.
What is the best beginner beach in Hossegor?
Hard to say, but we reckon Les Estagnots is tops. It’s close to Southwest Surf House, which means you can easily stroll there in the morning. And there’s generally a little wave on the inside even when the swell is big. This consistency means you can really maximise your learn to surf experience during your stay. That’s what you’re here for after all, right?
What type of surfboard will I be riding?
As a beginner surfer in Hossegor, you’ll most likely be riding a foamie longboard. The reasons for this are twofold – one is that foamies are super light and therefore way more manageable than a large fiberglass surfboard and two is that longer boards provide more stability, which makes the learn to surf process way easier. Plus, foamies are amazing fun.
Do I need to hire my own gear?
That’s a negative, chief! We have a decent selection of surfboards for you to use during your stay. These surfboards range in size from just over 5 foot right up to 9ft. In addition, we also have heaps of quality wetsuits in a variety of different sizes to keep you warm during the cooler months.
Of course, the water and air temperatures during the summer months is warm enough to wear boardshorts or a bikini. If you get cold easily though, it’s good to know that we have gear you can borrow – all of which is included in our room rate.
Do you offer surf lessons for beginners?
Yes, we offer surf lessons via our partner – Billabong Surf School located at Les Bourdaines. They are absolute legends capable of teaching you everything you need to know about learning to surf.
From basics such as carrying your surfboard to attaching your leash, paddling, popping up and even reading the ocean, they offer a comprehensive learning experience that’s designed to make you not just a better surfer, but also a more responsible one.
The coaches themselves are all experienced and they’ll be with you every step of the way. For many of our past guests, the Billabong Surf School has really made their trip. So if you want to learn how to surf and start owning beginner surf spots in Hossegor, we’ve got you covered.
Is it safe for beginner surfers in Hossegor?
So long as you’re given some guidance regarding the best places to paddle out and the best waves to surf, then yes… Hossegor surfing for beginners is safe.
Expert surf coaches will watch over you during your learn to surf sessions and we’ll be in the lineup most days if you’re keen to share a few waves with us. Not to mention that the foamy surfboards we use are super safe, so you don’t need to worry about banging your body up (too much).
Is surf guiding for guests also an option?
Surf guiding with the Southwest Surf House crew is definitely an option.
How it works is that unlike surf lessons, you’re basically going on a mini-strike mission with your mates. There are no fixed time schedules and no matching fluro rashies. Instead, we go where the best waves are located and shred until we can shred no more!
That being said, this is called “surf guiding”, which means we also give you plenty of guidance during the session. This includes showing you the best place to paddle out, helping you negotiate the lineup and making sure that your stoke levels stay high (it’s what we do best)!
As for more advanced surfers, just ask us where the best banks are located and we’ll point you in the right direction. You can then please yourself and surf wherever the waves are firing.
We’ll be waiting here with a fridge full of beer plus some choice bottles of red when you return!
Enjoy the best beginner surf spots in Hossegor with Southwest Surf House – book now :)