The casting has allure. Kauli Vaast, surfer of the Quiksilver team and Olympic champion in Tahiti this summer, has announced his participation in the Quiksilver Festival of Hossegor, as well as the “King” and veteran Kelly Slater.
As a reminder, the Quiksilver Festival, which will be held from September 21 to 29 in the Landes, will make up for the disappearance of the World Surf League event, which has not stopped in Hossegor since 2019, even though it is considered the “best spot” in Europe by surfers themselves. Launched under the impetus of Frenchman Jérémy Florès and his sponsor, the event will once again welcome the best surfers on the planet this year, for free exhibitions or compulsory figure competitions.
Last year, the surfing gods were merciful: good waves and sunshine for the 25,000 spectators present during the week. Former world champions Adriano de Souza and CJ Hobgood, Shane Dorian, not to mention Aritz Aranburu, Josh Kerr, Mikey Wright, Coco Ho, Laura Enever, and Joan Duru, Marc Lacomare, Kauli Vaast, Vahine Fierro and Michel Bourez for the French camp, had delighted the public, offering a spectacle rather than a pure competition.
Teams of two
This year, the legend Kelly Slater, Kauli Vaast, Coco Ho, Kai Lenny, Sierra and Josh Kerr, Michel Bourez, Shane and Jackson Dorian, Clay Marzo and many others will be present on the famous Landes beach break.
Kelly Slater probably competed in his last competition in August in Fiji.
World Surf League via Getty Images
The surfers will compete in teams of two and will have to score points on several themes: “Air & tube session”, “best combo”, “best turn”, “twin fin challenge”. At the end of the competition, the team that has accumulated the most points will be crowned champion. “The first edition was incredible, both in terms of the conditions and the enthusiasm of the public. So we can’t wait to be alongside surf, skate, music and art fans for this 2024 edition which is already shaping up to be crazy!” enthuses Jérémy Florès.
The “waiting period” or “period when we wait for the waves” begins on Saturday, September 21, but beyond the show in the water, and whose program will largely depend on the conditions, many meetings, screenings, concerts and encounters are organized around the festival.
Screenings and concerts
On Monday, September 23, at 8 p.m., the documentary “STRoNG, aussi forts que fragiles,” which addresses the subject of mental health among high-level athletes, will be screened at the Ph’Art cinema in Capbreton. The documentary will be followed by a discussion with Jérémy Florès. On Tuesday, September 24, a “Surfing Movie Night” is being organized at the Le Surfing restaurant, to discover Kael Walsh’s latest film, “Strung,” in preview.
Surfing in Anglet: Tya Zebrowski shines at night too
In tandem with the British Lukas Skinner, Tya Zebrowski won, this Friday evening in Anglet, the Surf de Nuit, which celebrated its 30th anniversary for the occasion. Another success, this summer, for the French nugget of only 13 years old
Among the anticipated moments, on Wednesday, September 25 from 6 to 9 p.m., the Quiksilver store will host a meeting with Jérémy Florès, Kauli Vaast, Marc Lacomare, Lungi Slabb and Hughie Vaughan. An opportunity to approach the Olympic champion in the flesh.
The same day, “Surfing for all” event, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., on the Santocha spot in Capbreton. A para-surf initiation will also be organized by the handi-surf association and Kind Surf. Then, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., a beach clean-up, with Maud Le Car’s association, Save la Mermaid, will be followed by awareness workshops in collaboration with the Water Family, Océnéo, Tearing Waves and Apex Cétacéa, Gardians beach.
On Thursday, September 26, the usual evening will take place at the Boardriders Store in Capbreton, starting at 7 p.m., with DJ sets from Avalanch b2b Vafa, DJs from Half Pipe Records and a wild finale with Dimity Stoyle, aka DJ Shimmy.
A world record?
Friday, September 27, the party moves to Place des Landais, from 7 p.m., for the Roxy Jam – Party Rave, with women in the spotlight. On the program: local artist Linoa, the intrepid Poupie, the DJs from the Parisian collective Rinse Naomswell & Rebequita, and once again the famous Shimmy.
Nathalie Guironnet
In the little game of who can fly the highest, for the “Air session” 2023…
Finally, Saturday, September 28th, is a big closing day for the festival that is coming up, starting at 10am on the Estacade beach in Capbreton, with the goal of setting a new world record for the “largest 100% female paddle out”. Ladies, don’t forget your board!
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