The 2016 Quiksilver Pro France is just days away. And while a room full of mathematicians in a nondescript location is working tirelessly to determine the different scenarios that would result in John John clinching it early, Medina swooping the yellow jersey, or Kelly’s number 12 mic drop, it’s easy to fall into the trap of looking past this event. Indeed, the Pipe Masters always seems to take away the flash, bang, and pow from the European leg of the tour.
Still, France has always been my favorite contest. It has a certain je ne sais quoi that makes it equal parts exhilarating and unpredictable. Maybe it’s the time change between Hossegor and California, the late night weariness come heat 3 or 4 in each round that makes it seem extra interesting. But watching replays at more reasonable hours in the day, I seem to come to the same conclusions.
Maybe I’m a Francophile at heart. The thought of packing tubes in the morning and a warm baguette and a café du lait in the afternoon certainly sounds charming.
Still, focusing on the waves and surfing alone, exciting things have occurred in France over the years. As evidence, I present to you perhaps the most interesting in recent memory: Dane Reynolds making the final as a wildcard (with thumping tubes to boot!). The forecast for the wait period looks promising so far. Here’s to hoping for a similar level of thrill to unfold come October 4th!
