La Piste, Capreton, Les Landes, France (43°38'27"N,1°26'56"W)
Where: Capreton, Les Landes
What is it: Beachbreak with punchy lefts & rights and with usually one or two peaks, which offer world-class waves. Generally works best at high tide, but can also generate good banks on any tide. The swallow inside sections and the bunkers have taken their toll over the years, don't underestimat the power of La Piste, the twin sister of La Gravière (http://www.strandleben-frankfurt.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=6 actually located at the exact same distance on each side of the 'gouf', the deep water trench off the habour).
Winds: E is straight offshore but anything with a bit of easterly will offer good conditions, especially light SE.
Water temperature: 12°C (February) - 22°C (September).
Season: Autumn/Winter are the best, especially autumn when sand banks had time to settle in during the summer flats. But it is a year-round reliable spot, often small in summer and ideal when conditions are a bit out of control up north.
What board to bring: 6'0" to 6'8". Don't really need bigger than that because over 8 feet the banks start to close out, on big days, La Piste is just about barrel riding.
Swell window: Works best on a west swell, too much south in the swell and the wave will loose its shape and become too fast. Swells usually last a day or 2 so you need to be on it.
Where to stay: It's ok to stay in your van on the VVF car park located a bit south from La Piste.
Nearest Airport: Biarritz airport, 30 km south.
Local golden rules: 
1. Choose thr right tide, high tide will have fewer peaks but usually of better quality. 2. Look carefully at the swell direction, according to it, La Piste will be either as big as up uorth or a bit sheltered from the big swells offering some classic waves if the wind is right. 3. During the summer months, don't even consider surfing La Piste unless you want to lose your nerves or get injured. Definitely one of the most crowded sports in France. 4. Watch out for the bunkers! In no time the strong rip and/or heavy shorey can make you curse those nasty hunks of concrete and those who built them.
1. Choose thr right tide, high tide will have fewer peaks but usually of better quality. 2. Look carefully at the swell direction, according to it, La Piste will be either as big as up uorth or a bit sheltered from the big swells offering some classic waves if the wind is right. 3. During the summer months, don't even consider surfing La Piste unless you want to lose your nerves or get injured. Definitely one of the most crowded sports in France. 4. Watch out for the bunkers! In no time the strong rip and/or heavy shorey can make you curse those nasty hunks of concrete and those who built them. *Surfshop Frankfurt am Meer*
posted by Strandleben Frankfurt at 11:48 AM
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