Surf: Usually the only rideable beachbreak north of Capbreton when the swell heads towards 3m on the Biscay buoy. The shifting, outside bank holds triple overhead plus and favours rights into the rip torn paddling channel. Steep drops and fast walls with barrel sections mean extra inches are a good idea. Can work at all tides but mid is the best bet. Going left often leads to a punishing paddle back out as the deeper, defined paddling channel is usually south of the waves towards Centrale. Access: Water quality is dubious, being so close to the rivermouth. Directions: Park along Blvd De La Grand Dune - La Nord is 400m north from Front de Mer Environment: Heavy water when the rips are in full flow, as a torrent of water makes its way down from the Seignosse beach whitewater maelstrom to the north. Once the vicious shoredump is negotiated there can be a deep trough, allowing the unskilled to easily get out of their depth. La Nord is always crowded, even when smaller and when the big swells hit, everyone descends on the area, often only to watch. Popular with the local SUP crew on smaller days and extra inches are a good idea to get into the jacking sets. Height restriction on the car park so vans have to use the ever-shrinking street parking. Surf: General: One of the main peaks in Hossegor, La Nord ranks among the best waves in Europe and the best beachbreaks in the world. Fast, heavy, hollow, and temperamental, this bank needs the right swell and tides to go off, but when things line up, it’s about as good as beachbreak barrels get. The local scene is exactly what you’d expect from the heart of French surfing—lots of great surfers in the water, lots of beautiful people on the beach, and lots of delicious food and wine in the cafes. Tides: All tides Size: 8-15 ft. Wind: E, ESE Swell: NW, W Bottom: Sand Paddling: Currents, closeouts, sets on the head—expect to get a workout. Spot Rating: You’d be hard pressed to find a better beachbreak anywhere. Access: Walk down the beach from whatever café you had breakfast in. Crowds: Crowd Factor: As busy as you’d expect one of the world’s best beachbreaks to be, but then again, these types of lineups tend to spread out the crowds. Local Vibe: All of France’s best surfers will be in the water when it’s firing. Environment: Not bad, considering the setting. Hazards: Heavy barrels, shallow sandbars. Season: September through March