Surf spot: Tanchet beach
Looking for a challenge? Then Tanchet beach is the spot for you! Located at the southern end of the large bay of Les Sables d'Olonne and benefiting from an optimal west and north-westerly swell, it's the favourite playground of seasoned surfers... But also of young sailors, who are slowly being introduced to the sport of riding.
The Tanchet beach spot is :
- First-aid post: yes, during the summer period.
- Restaurant: yes.
- Configuration: beach break.
- Best period: September to December.
Are you a beginner surfer? Take a lesson at a surf school on the beach and learn to ride the waves like a professional.
Surf spot: the Grande Plage
If you want to soak up all the sunshine, but also try out some new tricks, drop anchor at the Grande Plage in Les Sables d'Olonne. Facing due south, it's one of the best surf spots in the Vendée... or indeed in France! Here, the scenery makes you lose your bearings: on one side, the beach and its old-fashioned cabins; on the other, the horizon. A truly suspended moment in time!
Please note: this spot is ideal when the swell is fairly light and facing west or north-west.
The Grande Plage spot is :
- First-aid post: yes, during the summer.
- Restaurant: yes.
- Configuration: reef break and beach break.
- Best period: September to December. But don't let your adrenalin get the better of you as the bathers approach!
Tides, winds and gusts: if you want to surf in the best possible conditions, keep an eye on the forecasts. There are a multitude of sites where you can get precise information about your favourite surf spots. Our favourites? Surf Sentinel or Surf Report! And to give yourself the best chance of enjoying optimum conditions, the webcam is your best ally.
Surf spot: Sauveterre beach
To combine surfing and adventure, head for the Sauveterre beach spot! Nestling between dunes and forest, it has a wild air about it... Will you be able to tame its waves? Renowned for their consistency and size, they're a real challenge for even the most seasoned surfers! With a west-south-west orientation, the spot is particularly well exposed to the swell, and very well known in the Vendée.
The Sauveterre beach spot is :
- First-aid post: yes, during the summer.
- Restaurant: yes.
- Configuration: beach break.
- Best period: September to December.
Bonus: a little surfing glossary
Beach break: a surf spot where the waves break on a sandy bottom.
Bodyboard: small surfboard for beginners.
Swell: movement that causes the sea to undulate, but does not cause the waves to break.
Longboard: large surfboard.
Offshore: wind coming from inland that tends to deepen and lift the wave. It significantly improves surfing conditions.
Onshore: wind blowing from the open sea, which worsens surfing conditions.
Peak: area where the wave begins to break.
Reef break: surf spot where the seabed is made up of rocks or coral.
Series: series of waves that are bigger than the average.
Sideshore: wind coming from the side, parallel to the beach.
Spot: beach or place where surfing is practised.
Frequently asked questions about surf spots in Les Sables d'Olonne
Why do you talk about periods in surfing?
The period is the time that elapses between two waves. It depends essentially on the weather conditions of the day. The average is between 5 and 15 seconds. To give you an idea, a period that is too long is over 13 seconds: the size and power of the waves are too great. On the other hand, a period is too low below 7 seconds. The waves are then too close together and disordered, giving rise to poor conditions. The ideal period is therefore between 11 and 12 seconds!
What is the purpose of swell orientation?
If you've ever surfed a surf forecast site, you'll no doubt have noticed that the swell direction is indicated. This is simply the direction in which the swell arrives at the spot! There's no such thing as a good swell or a bad swell. It all depends on the spot and its configuration!
High tide or low tide: which is best for surfing?
Tides are a natural phenomenon that play an important role in the conditions in which you surf! High tide or low tide: the choice depends on the spot and the way the water fills the bay. Beginners be warned: choose to surf at times close to low tide, so that the waves are less powerful!
Which surfboard should you choose?
Longboard: classic and stable, ideal for beginners. Excellent buoyancy, perfect for small waves.
Shortboard: manoeuvrable and fast, suitable for experienced surfers. Perfect for deeper waves and tight turns.
Fish: versatile, with a wider shape. Excellent for small to medium waves, offering stability and speed.
Gun: designed for big waves, the gun board is long and tapered for speed and performance in more powerful conditions.
Funboard: an intermediate option, combining stability and manoeuvrability. Perfect for surfers looking to move up to shorter boards.