Special edition: Lacanau Pro

Lacanau: 50 years of surf culture

For the 45^th Lacanau Pro, Inside EuroSIMA sat down with the pillars of the Lacanau surfing to talk about the history, evolution and dynamics of the famous spot’s surf scene…

This episode, held alongside the international event was recorded with a live audience and welcomed the following guests :

Michel Boyé
Patrice Chrzan
Jean-Paul Dupuy
Laurent Rondi (co-animateur de l’émission)

Each one, having contributed to writing the story of surfing in Lacanau, took turns telling us about key events like the founding of the Lacanau Surf Club in 1968, the opening of the 2^nd surf shop in France, or the very first trade shows in Florida…

Incidentally, that’s where Patrice Chrzan first suggested hosting an international surfing competition. The Lacanau Grand Prix Open, which they set up in just few weeks, was the beginning of what would become a legendary event to be renamed “Lacanau Pro” in 1982.

From welcoming all the best riders to the explosion of the surfing industry as well as the Kelly Slater-frenzy era, our guests cover the incredible story of this cultural and athletic key event that would change the small coastal town forever.

Having worked on promoting the event in the 80’s, Michel Boyé then launched the first phone surf forecast service: Ocean Surf Report. He tells us about this amazing entrepreneurial adventure, starting from phones then shifting to the internet. He covers everything from success to the daily challenges of running the service as well as how it was received by surfers.

Through the waves, through the Lacanau Pro and through the Lacanau Surf Club, for decades, a whole community has thrived thanks to surfing. So, naturally, our guests also discuss the impact that our sport has had on the local economy.

In a nutshell, this special episode dives into the story of one of the 3 historical French surfing cities, whose influence now shines way beyond our borders.

Enjoy the ride