Surfing Parlementia

Parlementia is the big-wave right off Guéthary harbour. It breaks over a deep reef a long way out, and it only starts to work properly when the swell is overhead.

On a big west or north-west swell with a south-east wind it produces long, powerful walls, more like a Hawaiian point than a French beach break. The paddle out is long and the currents are strong, so you need a bigger board and good fitness.

People watch it from the harbour terrace above. It's for experienced surfers only.

It needs a big west or north-west swell, so it only really works on a handful of days each winter, usually between November and February. On smaller days the reef doesn't break at all.

The harbour at Guéthary is the best place to watch it, and the village is small, with a few cafés and restaurants above the water. If it isn't big enough, the beaches of Bidart and Biarritz, a few minutes north, are usually the better choice.