Since 1975

History of Santocha Surf Club

Some stories change lives, and others continue to shape them. The great story of surfing in Capbreton is inseparable from that of Santocha Surf Club.

Join the club Discover the club

1975

Year founded

Years of history

400+

Members today

Only club in Capbreton

"This saga belongs to our elders -- pioneers and guardians of a unique spirit -- and to our children and those yet to come."

1965-1975

The wild surfers

It all began between 1965 and 1975 with a band of diehards. Back then, there were no teachers -- we read Surfer Magazine to figure out the technique and watched the Americans passing through. We were "wild surfers", free, with our enormous boards and our first home-made leashes.

But under growing pressure, we had to get organised. It was "Deudeu" (Pierre Marraud des Grottes) who carried the project through, despite the reluctance of those who feared losing their freedom.

Pierre Puyau riding a wave in Capbreton in the 1970s - pioneers of Landes surfing

Pierre Puyau, one of the wild surfers of Capbreton — Photo Dugers

20 October 1975

Birth of Santocha Surf Club

During a legendary meeting at the bar of the former "Les Terrasses" hotel, Santocha Surf Club was born. Deudeu became the first president, simply because nobody else dared to raise their hand.

1980s

The club house, our second home

The following decade saw a whole generation emerge. The club house became our second home, a base camp at the top of the beach where we put the world to rights between sessions. It was the era of carefree days, the first fancy-dress competitions where we could laugh at ourselves, the discovery of new waves, the evolution of equipment towards performance.

1985-1995

The golden age

Surfing went mainstream, and the "surf business" started to emerge. The club had to face the need to educate, teach and pass on its knowledge to the next generation.

A new chapter unfolded naturally, driven by the desire to offer our children a more structured framework for learning and progressing. That is how Capbreton Surf Club was born, to nurture this growing new wave with a more pedagogical approach.

Surfer on a big wave at Santocha Gauche, legendary spot in Capbreton in the 1980s

Santocha Gauche — the legendary Capbreton spot in big conditions

1995-2018

Two clubs, one passion

For twenty years, the two structures moved forward side by side, each with its own identity: one preserving the historic soul and roots, the other focusing on the sporting future of our youth.

2018

The family reunited

Like two waves that eventually merge into one greater swell, the reunion happened to restore the original unity. The family is now together again under a single banner. Santocha has become once more that solid block, where the experience of the elders and the energy of the young feed off each other on the same beach.

Today

A clan of three generations

With over 400 members, Santocha Surf Club Capbreton is more than a club -- it is a clan of three generations who meet in the water, on a beach that bears its name.

With more than 50 years of history, we are entering a new era. Our "Young Guns" and our "Pokemons", like the talented Aaron Bacon, are already here in numbers to take the torch. They have surfing in their blood and respect for their elders. Our role remains the same: to pass this great story on to future generations so they can keep writing the legend of Santocha.

Luc Petit

Author of the book "Générations Santocha — Histoire du surf à Capbreton"

Discover the club

Competition Team

Calendar and training programme

Our Competitors

50+ riders in surf and bodyboard

The Club

Everything about Santocha Surf Club

Frequently asked questions about the history of Santocha

When was Santocha founded?

Santocha Surf Club was founded on 20 October 1975 during a meeting at the bar of the former 'Les Terrasses' hotel in Capbreton, making it one of the oldest surf clubs on the Landes coast.

Where does the name 'Santocha' come from?

The name Santocha comes from the beach where the club is based in Capbreton. It is a name rooted in local history, identifying both the surf spot and the club.

Who founded Santocha Surf Club?

It was Pierre Marraud des Grottes, nicknamed 'Deudeu', who drove the creation of the club. He became the first president of Santocha in 1975.

What is the link between Santocha and Capbreton Surf Club?

In the years 1985-1995, Capbreton Surf Club was created to structure youth training. In 2018, the two clubs merged to restore their original unity under the Santocha banner.

How many members does Santocha have today?

Today, Santocha Surf Club Capbreton brings together over 400 members spanning three generations, with more than 50 competitors in surfing and bodyboarding.

Write history with us

Join Santocha and become part of this adventure since 1975.

Become a member

Or call us at 05 58 72 44 39