Jules Chollet | Belharra
Sun 4th Dec, 2022 @ 9:30 am
If you have never heard of Belharra before, it is a reef and surf spot in France located off Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the Northern Basque Country, in the Pyrénées- Atlantics, France. Before the jetty was built, the shoal created a violent wave that swallowed ships moored at Socoa. Approximately 2.5 kilometres from the coast, this waveform is in the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz between Socoa and Hendaye, where surfers keep an eye on it – It rarely breaks, if at all, but today Jules Chollet got lucky, and this is his story.
Jules Chollet
Because I was in Morocco, I missed the first Belharra of the season. Every day I checked the forecast and saw a big swell coming, but I wasn’t sure. It was a difficult decision to organise the session. Eventually, I decided to go…no wind in the morning, big tide, and a 4m swell forecast. Let’s go!
Although I had already ridden some nice waves and felt technically ready to ride Belharra, I kept in mind that my physical condition wasn’t at its best, so I wanted to avoid a wipeout! The jacket, hood, boots, and wetsuit were ready. As it was a last-minute decision, I needed to find another jet-ski for the photographer and a partner who knew how to tow me in this kind of wave. Remy Sanchez, Manera teammate and surf teacher, was free with a huge ocean experience.
On the big day, everybody was ready at 8:00 am at the slip to check the jet ski, and we arrived on the spot around 9. WOAH! the swell was HUGE, and Belharra stood in front of me like a mountain.
Peyo, the spot pioneer for 20 years, and Stephane, the local, are already checking. Only us on the spot!
I spent a lot of time observing how Peyo was doing before heading to the arena. I did not hesitate; I was focused on the line. The first waves are not easy because we need to coordinate with Remy. We are lucky to be only four on the spot, so we can choose our waves more easily.
1 hour and 30 minutes of intense sessions choosing the best ones for me. I was focused on the wave and didn’t realise the real size of the mountain behind me. I was fast, even with my Escape 530, and it was challenging for me to go faster until the end of the wave. Don’t fall here, don’t fall here!
The wind and the tide arrived, so we decided to stop, but I was so happy for my first session here. It’s crazy to have this feeling when you release the rope, when you are on the top of the mountain and see how steep it is. You know that you need speed…
There was a big smile on each of our faces on the way back, no words needed on the jet ski but only a single word: it’s good to be alive after Belharra.t. Adrenaline at its peak for a day in my memory for the rest of my life.
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Sun 4th Dec, 2022 @ 9:30 am
