SIC SURF CHALLENGE - Surfing and friendship! | blog

We were eager to get back to the ESB team after the success of the Kérou event a few weeks ago.

The rendezvous was at the Pointe de La Torche, in Finistère, where we met up with Ronan Chatain, ESB La Torche's technical director, on this wild spot offering long white-sand beaches and waves all year round.

Ronan CHATAIN,

President of the ESB Surf Club

Ronan co-created the Ecole de Surf de Bretagne in 1994, one of the first in Brittany, and shares the same values and vision as SIC Maui for this SIC Surf Challenge.

"It's open to all, meaning that it's really an event that will be an introduction to competition for some, but also a moment of sharing because there will also be experienced surfers. There's a real idea of sharing and transmission, for everyone. It's more than a competition, it's an experience immersed in surf culture all weekend long. This one-design format makes the competition fun and accessible."

Ronan Chatain, Technical director - ESB La Torche

To the left - Ronan Chatain, Technical director - ESB La Torche
To the right - Renaud Lacoste, President of Tahe Outdoors France

Saturday

On Saturday at midday, competitors came to confirm their registration and discover the gear at their disposal. With the wind forecast to be strong (between 15 and 25 knots NW), the decision was made to hit the water on Pors Carn's spot.

And what better way to kick off the weekend than with a Tag Team format? We were lucky enough to welcome surfers from Britanny and local figures such as Ainoha Lahary, Julien Troadec, Mathieu Maréchal, and Alexis Deniel.

Throughout the weekend, some even went there to demonstrate their skills, advise the younger surfers, and act as judges.

After several heats, it was finally the 'Sea'seek' team in white jersey who came out on top, despite a rather close score with the red 'Surfeurs on fire' team.

For Ainoha, Team Leader of the winning team, it was a great success with her ESB colleagues/trainees. "It was a perfect team! I'm very happy to have done this challenge with them because we trained especially for it during the week.

Also, it fitted perfectly with the theme of my end-of-year BE (French Surf Instructor Certificate) project, which is to introduce competition and longboarding to a wider audience. What a fantastic experience to meet people!"

On Saturday evening, all competitors were invited for a drink and dinner at the Surf House Twenty-Nine in Plomeur. It is a much-appreciated moment of chatting and relaxation, perfect for reflecting on the first day of the competition.

Sunday

On Sunday morning, everyone gathered at the ESB for an 8 am briefing. With the wind lighter than the day before, the surfers were able to express themselves on the spot at La Torche.

Despite a few raindrops at the start of the day, everyone was well-motivated to get in the water! The organizers and judges observed 3 categories: boys under 16, men over 16, and women over 16! Some surfers discovered the SIC boards on Sunday, and the feedback was very positive.

The heats followed each other and conditions improved throughout the day. The south-westerly wind was light, and the water glossed out with the rising tide, offering riders some nice 1m20 (4 feet) sections as rights and lefts.

The youngest riders put in some committed turns on the Drifter 7'4'', while the older riders were judged on their style on the Longboard 9'0'', with beautiful hang-ten and good lines rewarded with top marks.

The day ended in good spirit at the ESB and the winners were rewarded. (Full results below.) Paul, winner of the Men's +16 category, was delighted: "I'd never heard of this competition before, but the atmosphere was great! I like these competitions where you don't take it too seriously, where everyone's there to have fun!"

As promised, the overall winners, Léo Le Tohic Casareggio and Angélique Bosser, walked away with the grand prize: a surfboard and the chance to take part in a photo shoot with SIC Maui!

A big thank you to the Ecole de Surf de Bretagne in La Torche and Kérou, to the organizers, judges, media partner Surf Session, parent volunteers, and everyone else who helped make this first edition such a success!

We're already looking forward to seeing you next year on Brittany's surf spots and sharing some good times in the water. Aloha!