Every year, when October rolls around we mosey on down to France to revel in the warm embrace of the La Côte d’Argent; Europe’s fabled silver coast.

Les Landes in Autumn serves up the perfect combination of the exotic and the familiar. The smell of pine trees wafting on the warm wind. The taste of chocolatines and strong coffee cutting through a red wine hangover. Hot days and long nights. There’s a reason the world stole the word cliché from the French and they still truly do them best.

Every year on these outings, we take it upon ourselves to get into it with some of surfing’s most interesting characters and point our cameras at the most impressive surfing going down along Le Landes’ miles of golden shoreline.

This year’s coverage features conversations with Mikey Wright; the freesurfer turned contest guy (with a mullet) who’s about to qualify for the tour, Albee Layer; the contest guy turned free surfer (who doesn’t mince his words), Steph Gilmore; the most successful and well-loved female surfer of all time (who remains as wise and humble ever) and Sammy Pupo; one of the future stars of our sport (who might just be the best young aerialist in the world).

The Bay of Biscay was still full to the brim with groomed long period swell as we hopped reluctantly on a boat home, however, the crossing, courtesy of our friends at Brittany Ferries, was as enjoyable and seamless as ever.

Now, a week on, we’ve had time to sift through the reams of words and photos collected and pull together some choice moments for your enjoyment.

Select from the contents below or click here for the full screen feature:

Contents:

Intro
Chemtrails – Video
It ain’t easy being the commissioner
Albee Layer Interview
Steph Gilmore Interview
Mikey Wright Interview
Sammy Pupo; A Profile
Fin

http://features.wavelengthmag.com/1197666