The fall equinox arrived on September 22 this year. And if you were anywhere within driving distance of Basque country waves, you might have had the boards and wetsuits already loaded up in your car/truck/van for an autumn strike mission. While winter months churn out plenty of solid days, fall just brings its own level of excitement and promise. And things were already running full speed this year when October rolled in, just one week into the new season.
Hossegor, in particular, saw “only a few down days” in October, according to videographer David Berthet. Berthet also pointed out that crowds were noticeably small to kick off the new season, which he attributed in part to the Quik Pro France being canceled (it would have run October 12-23). WSL officials axed the event back in July, citing lack of sponsorship. So Challenger Series competitors probably spent October in other parts of the world. But there was still plenty of talent in the water making the most of classic fall days in France.
