Australia, for the Bigoudens, is a bit like the end of the world. It is also a reference, with Hawaii, in terms of surfing. And in fact, it is on the legendary Snapper Rocks spot that the interclub world championships will take place, from February 13 to 15, 2026. The 29 Hood Surfclub, based on Pors Carn beach, in Penmarc’h, will represent France in this competition thanks to its title of French interclub champion obtained in May in Mimizan (40).
“It was already incredible to have won the Interclubs, but here, representing France, Brittany, the Pays Bigouden against 48 teams from all over the world, it’s even more so”, underlines Thomas Joncour, member of this team with Montaine Taconet, Ian Fontaine, Vianney Tshiula Lubanga and Gabriel Abiven. They are aged 18 to 43.
€10,000 for plane tickets
Beyond the sporting challenge that participation in this event represents, it is also a financial challenge. To enable the team to travel to Australia, the club launched a call to partners: “We need your help to make the dream of an entire club come true.” An online prize pool was opened with the aim of reaching €20,000.
You have to recover from jet lag, acclimatize to the heat, get used to the waves, test the boards, try to get the hang of the spot
“We will arrive there around ten days before the competition to prepare well,” explains Thomas Joncour. You have to recover from jet lag, acclimatize to the heat, get used to the waves, test the boards, try to get the hang of the spot.” Plane tickets (five round trips) represent half of the budget. Added in particular are the rental of accommodation (€2,500), transport costs (€3,000), meals, insurance…
Support for licensed surfers
“Every contribution, even a few euros, counts,” underlines Thomas Joncour. At the start of January 2026, pledges amount to €15,000. Particularly thanks to the participation of a large local company. And if there are more donations, they will be given to the club to support licensed surfers.
“Carry the colors of the country as far as possible”
Without putting pressure on themselves, the 29 Hood Surfclub is approaching this world championship with “the desire to perform, to carry the colors of the country as far as possible. And then also, to get noticed by placing the 29 Hood Surfclub on the map of the world’s major clubs.” In the team, there are two, Ian Fontaine and Vianney Tshiula Lubanga, who have already surfed in Australia. The Snapper Rocks wave “has the particularity of being a very, very long straight,” explains Thomas Joncour. We still know it quite well because we follow the broadcasts of professional competitions.”
Practical
