Forever the first. No, the 29 Hood Surfclub in Penmarc’h did not win the Champions League in the discipline. But it is still a precursor, since it was the first club to represent France during the interclub world championships, which were held in Coolangatta (Australia) from February 13 to 15, 2026. Right acquired following the victory during the French championships, in May 2025.
The Bigoudens faced the cream of the world’s surfers. “In the other teams, there was a girl who was seven times world champion. There was also the junior world champion,” specifies Thomas Joncour, one of the five competitors of 29 Hood accompanied, for the occasion, by Ian Fontaine, Gabriel Abiven, Vianney Tshiula Lubanga and Montaine Taconet. “We really saw our idols surfing in front of us. Next door, we were a bit like the Rasta Rocketts of surfing,” laughs the Finistère native.
Une compétition réussie
On a sporting level, the Bigoudens arrived in Australia “without any objective”, only with “the desire to do well”. What the Penmarchais managed to do by finishing 17th (out of 40) and narrowly missing the quarter-finals, by just one point, out of the 40 that a team can take.
But it is above all the first day of competition which seems to remain engraved in the memories. First, since there was “a Breton time”, as Thomas Joncour likes to say. But also, and above all, because they had a helping hand from destiny. “When he went into the water for our first series, Ian saw a cormorant, a bird which is the emblem of Penmarc’h. From there, we said to ourselves that nothing could happen to us.”
“We put surfing in the culture”
To get to Australia, the Penmarchais club had to set up a kitty to raise €20,000. The objective was achieved thanks to private partners, but also with the support of the municipality of Penmarc’h and the general council of Finistère. “When I started surfing in 1994, the sport was not popular. There, we saw that everyone was concerned by our project. We were really happy to see that many people from the Bigouden region got involved,” says the surfer. Another satisfaction for Thomas Joncour, having put “surfing in the local culture. “There’s just fishing now.”
To thank the contributors who made this trip possible, the five members of the club wanted to make videos. “Between 100 and 120,” specifies 29 Hood. Now all that remains is to enjoy the end of your stay. The surfers have been in Oceania since the beginning of February, and return at the beginning of March. “We returned the accommodation that we had rented for the competition. From now on, we’re going on a bit of an adventure each on our own. » Just to prolong the dream.
