Surfing was born far from European shores. Yet it has become inseparable from certain French landscapes such as the Basque Country or the Landes. Behind the Atlantic waves lies a story shaped by passionate individuals, shared knowledge, and travel.
History of surfing in France: from its origins to French boardsports culture
The origins of surfing date back several centuries, in Polynesia and Hawaii.
At that time, riding waves was:
- a social ritual
a spiritual practice
a strong cultural marker
This practice was a recreational test of skill, but it was also deeply rooted in Indigenous culture. At the time, it was not called surfing, but everything about it resembled it.
The first boards were shaped from massive tree trunks.
In the early 20th century, modern surfing took shape in Hawaii before traveling to California, then Australia and the rest of the world.
The arrival of surfing in France: the emergence of a culture
The arrival of surfing in France: the emergence of a culture
The history of surfing in France begins in Biarritz in 1957.
Peter Viertel, an American screenwriter, introduced surfing during a film shoot on the Basque coast. After seeing the waves, he had one of his boards shipped over and became the first surfer in France.
This event marked a turning point. It drew the attention of local enthusiasts who discovered a new way of riding waves. And very quickly:
- the first boards were imported
- others were made locally
- a small community formed
Surfing quietly took root in France.
The pioneers of French surfing
The early days of surfing in France were driven by a handful of surfers who, over the years, shared their passion for this new sport and developed it locally.
These pioneers played a key role through:
- the creation of the first clubs and infrastructure.
- the promotion of safety rules and the sharing of their knowledge.
Among these pioneers:
- Jo Moraiz, considered one of the first ambassadors of French surfing.
- He founded the first surf shop in Biarritz and established a surf school as early as the 1960s.
Later, the creation of the French Surfing Federation marked a turning point. The practice became more structured, and competitions began to emerge.
The major milestones in the history of surfing in France
The evolution of French surfing accelerated from the 1960s onward.
- In the 1950s–60s: discovery of the sport and creation of the first handcrafted boards.
- In the 1960s–70s: the sport became more accessible with the creation of clubs.
- In the 1980s–90s: the emergence of competitions and French surf brands such as Oxbow. This marked the beginning of the sport’s media exposure.
From that moment on, surfing became both a sport, a culture, and a way of life.
Hossegor/Biarritz: the capital of French surfing
If Biarritz marked the beginning, other regions quickly followed.
The Landes coast, with Hossegor as its surfing capital, established itself as a benchmark and firmly placed France on the world surfing map. And this, thanks to its powerful sandbanks and consistent waves.
Evolution of boards: from wood to foam blanks
The history of surfing goes hand in hand with that of surfboards.
Over the decades, they have evolved significantly:
- First with massive wooden boards
- Then with balsa boards, lighter and more innovative
- Finally today with constructions based on foam and modern resins. More technical, they are what we know today
Each board tells a story and reflects a way of surfing.
Dusty Surfboards: the history of surfing through boards
The video series “Dusty Surfboards,” produced by Oxbow, is part of this spirit of passing things on.
Led by surfer Arnaud Mestelan, a vintage board enthusiast and Biarritz local.
The concept is simple: dust off surfboards steeped in history and ride them.
- You’ll find:
- the origin of the board
- an explanation of its shape
- its role in the evolution of surfing
- and, of course, surfing!
Surf glossary:
Surf quiver: the set of boards owned by a surfer in order to adapt to as many conditions as possible
Shape: refers to the design of a surfboard
To learn all the surfing vocabulary, discover the ultimate guide to surf terminology
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