Under bright sunshine, with perfectly shaped waves and an international atmosphere on the beach, Kerloc’h Beach hosted the first U18 surf foil qualifying rounds on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. With ideal conditions and waves ranging from 1 to 1.5 metres, the young riders had the perfect opportunity to showcase their talent in this spectacular discipline.
Axel Gérard Wins the U18 Final
Two qualifying rounds gave the young male and female competitors the chance to secure their places in the finals. In the junior men’s competition, Breton rider Axel Gérard claimed victory, finishing ahead of Tom Lafforest, Arthur Thébault and Sacha Kourennoy. His win confirms the progress being made by young French riders in this rapidly evolving discipline. Since the previous edition of the Crozon Foil Festival, the technical level of the junior competitors has improved significantly, with increasingly confident foil control and a growing ability to make the most of each section of a wave.
An International Atmosphere by the Water
Beyond the competition itself, the day was defined by a fantastic atmosphere on the beach. Competitors from all over the world had travelled to take part in the festival, and many international riders took the time to cheer on the young athletes, creating a real sense of camaraderie and connection between generations.
Alongside the official heats, the free-surf sessions also delivered a high-level spectacle. International riders took advantage of the excellent conditions to link wave after wave, demonstrating the technical demands of both prone surf foil and assisted surf foil in front of a large crowd enjoying the sunshine and the action from the beach.
Next Challenge: Taking on the Open Categories
For the young competitors, this first stage is only the beginning. Following the U18 qualifying rounds and final, they will now face the Open categories over the coming days, giving them the opportunity to compete against some of the most experienced riders on the international circuit. It is another important step for these emerging talents, who will be able to test their progress against top-level competition. At Kerloc’h, the day perfectly captured the spirit of the Crozon Foil Festival: demanding competition, a spectacular discipline and an international community united by a shared passion for foiling.
