As the only French stop on the WSL European Junior Tour, the event has established itself as a must-attend event on the calendar for athletes under 21. On the renowned waves of the Landes region, 64 boys and 32 girls will compete to earn valuable points in the race to qualify for the world finals.
The 2026 edition also marks an important milestone for Marc Lacomare, who will take on the role of competition director for the first time at an official World Surf League event. A former Junior World Champion and Junior European Champion himself, Marc will use his experience at the highest level to help organise the sporting side of the event. This new role is a tribute to his long-standing commitment to the development of surfing and to supporting the next generation of athletes.
MARC LACOMARE, COMPETITION DIRECTOR FOR 2026
It’s a really important event for European surfing, especially for the juniors. It’s absolutely vital to have great stops on the tour, and here we are in Capbreton – it really is a place where we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to waves. It’s great to have an event in Capbreton, that’s for sure. I’m really pleased to see how the young surfers’ standard has improved. They’re all really motivated, and they’re surfing incredibly well, so that’s great.
4 GUEST SURFERS
CHARLIE LEGUAY – ROXY WILD CARD – France
This year’s ROXY wild card goes to Charlie Leguay, a 12-year-old prodigy from Biarritz. She has already established herself as the world’s best female surfer in her age group.
To be honest, I’m really happy to have got the wild card and it’s really motivating because it’s a great opportunity for me to show off my surfing. And competing in this junior pro is a real step forward for me. I’m really happy to have got this wild card this year.
MALIA DUPOUY – DEPARTMENTAL WILD CARD – France
In the women’s category, in agreement with the French Surfing Federation, the Department is awarding a wildcard to Malia Dupouy, a member of the Hossegor Surf Club. This talented 17-year-old surfer is part of the Department’s ‘High-Level Individual Athletes’ programme, alongside 82 other athletes from the Landes region.
I’m really happy. It’s a great opportunity, especially to compete on my home turf. We know the spot. We’ll be able to surf alongside some really talented girls, so it’s going to be a fantastic competition.
Marley Benesenes Masse – MACS WILDCARD – FRANCE
On behalf of the MACS Community of Communes, an invitation has been awarded to Marley Benesenes Masse, a member of the Lou Surfou Club in Seignosse. This support is part of MACS’s commitment to promising young athletes and to supporting the clubs that nurture the champions of tomorrow. This wildcard was awarded in conjunction with the French Surfing Federation.
I’d want to thank Macs in particular for giving me the opportunity to take part in this legendary competition in Capbreton. It gives me confidence because it shows me that my department is behind me; it’s going to give me a lot of strength for this competition, and I’m going to try my very best to get as far as possible in the competition.
Zachary Pommier – QUIKSILVER WILD CARD – FRANCE
Quiksilver has chosen Zachary Pommier for its men’s wildcard. Originally from Île d’Oléron, with a French father and an Indonesian mother, he is one of the most promising talents of his generation, with a stylish, fast and futuristic surfing style fuelled by a strong love of travel.
I’m grateful to Quiksilver for giving me the wildcard and I’m delighted to be able to compete.
CAPBRETON, A LAND OF SURFING AND TRADITION
Since its creation, the Quiksilver Pro Junior has found a unique home in Capbreton. True to its sporting and maritime heritage, the town is proud to host this flagship competition every year, which showcases young international surfing talent and helps raise the profile of the destination amongst new generations of sports lovers.
The Quiksilver and ROXY Pro Junior is an event to which we in Capbreton are particularly attached. For many years, it has been uncovering the talents who will shape the future of surfing and inspiring young people with the values of passion, commitment and respect for the ocean. Seeing it take place on Santocha Beach, at the foot of the Pierre Agnes Surf Centre, carries strong symbolic significance. More than just a facility, this venue embodies the ambition to pass on a love of surfing and the ocean to new generations. This is the very essence of this event, which naturally finds its place in Capbreton, according to Louis Galdos, mayor of Capbreton.
