The surf spot of La Torche / Pors Carn, in southern Finistère, owes its popularity to the regularity and consistency of its waves. The enthusiasm that La Torche and Pors Carn generate among surfers can be explained by exceptional factors of attractiveness.
Historically, La Torche holds a major place in the emergence and spread of surfing in Brittany. The first surf clubs in the region appeared here as early as 1987, as did the first surf school in 1994. Since 1984, large-scale international sporting events, etched in collective memory, have shaped the reputation and mythical character of the La Torche surf spot. From the 2000s onwards, the establishment of high-level sports structures at La Torche / Pors Carn (such as the “pôle espoir,” “pôle clés,” and a labeled training center) demonstrates the unanimous recognition the spot enjoys within the Breton surfing community. The “Surf City” label awarded to the municipality in 2015, followed more recently by La Torche’s official bid to host surfing events for the Paris 2024 Olympics, further solidify La Torche’s reputation as a major surf spot in Brittany and a iconic destination for surfing.
THE MOST COVETED SURF SPOT IN THE REGION
In addition to being the historic birthplace of surfing in Brittany, the La Torche / Pors Carn surf spot has other defining attributes that make it the most sought-after location in the region for surfing today. The spatial configuration of La Torche allows for year-round surfing. The spot’s ideal exposure enables it to receive swells from all directions. The remarkable feature that favorably shapes the waves for surfing is a rocky point—"La Pointe de La Torche"—which separates the bays of Pors Carn to the south and Audierne to the north. Essential for stabilizing the sandbanks to create ideal wave breaks, this rocky point is a unique attribute of the spot and central to its “mechanics.” The presence of a current along the rocks, which surfers use to effortlessly paddle out to the lineup, is a significant advantage for surfing and makes it accessible to a wider audience. Moreover, surf conditions often remain very decent despite unfavorable westerly winds. Few spots in Brittany can compete in this regard. On a regional scale, the wave at La Torche is considered remarkable for its size, shape, and ideal curvature for learning. It offers surfing opportunities for all skill levels and is suitable for various types of surfboards (shortboard, longboard, softboard).
A CONSIDERABLE VARIETY OF WAVE CONDITIONS
Pors Carn Bay is particularly interesting for surfing because it offers, over a short distance, a considerable variety of wave conditions. Approximately two kilometers long, the semi-circular shape of Pors Carn Beach allows for wave filtering. To the north, the bay’s west-facing exposure often provides "powerful" conditions suited for experienced surfers. The southern part, on the other hand, is highly popular among beginners. Its north-facing exposure slows and softens the progression of waves into the bay, making the waves ideal for safe initiation. Between the southern and northern ends of the spot, there is a rich and diverse range of surfing conditions, depending on sandbank movements, wave size, and wind directions.
Additionally, the geographical location of the La Torche surf spot is unique in that it lies exactly at the northern limit of the Bay of Biscay. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the boundaries of the Bay of Biscay as follows: to the east of a line drawn from the Pointe de Penmarc’h in the north to Cape Ortegal in the south. The La Torche site is located just a few hundred meters from the rocky headland of Penmarc’h, at the extreme southwestern tip of Brittany. The Bay of Biscay is a source of oceanic movements that warm the marine waters. The strong winds that sweep through it, originating from low-pressure systems centered over the British Isles and the North Sea (combined with the Azores High), generate powerful swells that give the La Torche spot exceptional wave consistency. The La Torche site benefits from marine and climatic resources that combine to create an ideal playground.
These remarkable advantages have allowed surfing to thrive at La Torche and Pors Carn. Over the fifty years since surfers first discovered the spot, a "surf culture" has gradually developed. It is the members of the local surfing community who keep this culture alive and serve as its guardians. Surf instructors, in particular, play a significant role in passing on the codes and values that define this locally rooted "surf culture," which identifies the La Torche / Pors Carn site.
