The Quiksilver Pro France set to celebrate its 10th anniversary! An essential stage of the elite ASP men's surfing circuit, the event will host the first of the two European legs of the ASP World Tour and all the biggest names in surfing, in south-west France from October 4th to 13th 2011.
Known for its often fearsome early autumn waves, the coast of south-west France is a must on the ASP World Tour. The 2010 edition was played out in epic conditions that produced some of the greatest surfing ever seen in Europe. That year, as in many previous seasons, the 'Landes' had something of a Hawaiian North Shore about them. Over the last decade, the Quiksilver Pro France has earned a reputation as one of the world's foremost surf spots.
And just looking at the event's hall of fame (Andy Irons, three titles; Joel Parkinson, one title; Mick Fanning, three titles), it's clear that the only the very best indeed can expect to triumph at Hossegor or Seignosse. Eighth of the eleven stages on the ASP World Tour, which brings together the top 32 surfers on the planet, the Quiksilver Pro France is often a decisive leg in the race for the World Championship, adding to the drama and fuelling interest in the competition. As the pros fight it out in the South African leg at Jeffreys Bay, the 2011 crown is very much still up for grabs. Adriano de Souza (1st) and Joel Parkinson (2nd) currently lead the way, with 10 times World Champion Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow hard on their heels (3rd).
Meanwhile, the Europeans are euphoric. Michel Bourez (7th), Tiago Pires (9th) and Jérémy Florès (11th despite pulling out of the Gold Coast event) all feature at the top end of the leaderboard and are taking turns to put on a real show this season. Their arrival in France alongside the likes of Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning and Jordy Smith is hotly anticipated by the tens of thousands of spectators who flock to the beaches of south-west France every year for the Quiksilver Pro France. With top drawer production, the Quiksilver Pro France will be broadcast live in unrivalled quality, and fans can follow all the action at: www.quiksilverlive.com
After the Tony Hawk Show, the FMX demos by DC, the open air concerts with Yuksek and Jamaica, the Quiksilver Pro France will once again be putting on a whole raft of side events and entertainments this year, with outdoor film screenings, live bands and plenty of other surprises.
