Mascaret de Saint-Pardon
A tidal bore that travels up the Dordogne river: you can ride it for hundreds of metres.
The mascaret is a natural phenomenon: on the biggest tides, the rising sea pushes a wave upriver along the Dordogne. At Saint-Pardon, near Vayres, it has been surfed for decades and on the best days the wave can run for over 1 km.
It works best with very high tidal coefficients and when the river is low, which is why September is usually the best month. You need to know the exact time it passes: timetables are published every year.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Rivermouth |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | — |
| Best wind (offshore) | — |
| Tide | Big spring tides, about 2 h after low tide on the coast |
| Size | 0.5–1.5 m |
| Best season | Late summer and the equinoxes (especially September) |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
The biggest board you have: a longboard or high-volume funboard to catch the wave and stay on it. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Mascaret de Saint-Pardon
The water is around 12 °C in winter and 20 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A festive vibe, with lots of people on the bank on good days. Coordinate with others to avoid collisions.
Surfing style
Very long river wave.
Hazards
Floating debris, buoys, boats and muddy river water.
Map
Shapers near Mascaret de Saint-Pardon
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Lacanau
The southern end of Lacanau: the same banks with fewer people.
Lacanau
Gironde's surf capital, with peaks in front of the town and an international contest every summer.
Carcans
A small beach village north of Lacanau, with quality banks.
Le Porge
A wild beach between Lacanau and Cap Ferret, with far fewer people.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.