Taghazout Pro – The French face their destiny for the Challenger Series – Fédération Française de Surf

It’s the moment of truth on the Europe-Africa circuit of the World Surf League. Final stage of the QS 2025/2026 season after the cancellation of Caparica (Portugal), the Taghazout Pro concentrates all the stakes: 4,000 points to be won and, above all, the last places for the Challenger Series 2026. In the Moroccan waves, only the 7 best men and the 4 best women in the ranking regional team will get their ticket. For the French, the scenario is clear: a favorable overall position, but no margin of security.

Among the men, France advances as a group. Three surfers – Tiago Carrique, Renan Grainville and Sam Piter – currently occupy places in the top 7 qualifiers. A solid base, which testifies to the French consistency throughout the season. Sam Piter, in particular, relies on an interesting dynamic: a member of the French team which finished 4th in the 2025 World Surfing Games, he arrives with recent international experience which can weigh in on this type of meeting under pressure.
But this density is also a double-edged sword. Behind them, Thomas Debierre and Tristan Guilbaud are in immediate ambush, just a stone’s throw from the cut. In other words, the battle for qualification could also be fought between the French.
Added to this is another factor to watch: the return of Maxime Huscenot and Justin Bécret, fresh from the Challenger Series in Newcastle. Outside the top 20 of the CS, they are forced to return to the QS to secure their future on the circuit. Their objective is clear: sign a very strong performance in Taghazout to quickly get closer to the top of the ranking. Experienced profiles, capable of immediately impacting the hierarchy.
In a 4,000 point event, the current differences become relative. A semi-final, a final or, conversely, a premature elimination, can be enough to completely redistribute the cards. Nothing is certain, everything is still open.

Sam Piter (© FFSurf/Arrieta)

Leiceaga in the right car
On the women’s side, reading the ranking requires integrating a determining parameter: the places vacated at the top of the hierarchy. Israeli leader Anat Lelior is already qualified for the Championship Tour, while Spaniard Annette Etxabarri validated her ticket for the Challenger Series via this circuit (8th). Two situations which free up places in the QS quota, mechanically lowering the qualification line. In this context, Sarah Leiceaga, currently fifth, finds herself virtually in the qualifying wagon. In other words, it is today in a position to qualify after having already participated in several stages of the CS 2025-2026.
But here again, caution remains in order: with a final stage so rich in points, she will have to confirm to definitively secure her place in the face of direct competition which is always threatening.
A youth who pushes hard
Behind, the cards are far from being fixed. The French champion Hina Conradi retains mathematical hope, conditional on a very strong performance. And above all, one name attracts attention: Naia Monte. At only 15 years old, already established in the European top 10, the Landaise embodies the new generation. Back from the Heritage course in Tahiti, she arrives with greater dynamics and experience. By chance of the draw, Leiceaga and Monte are placed in the same series alongside a third tricolor: Clémence Schorsch, bronze medalist of the 2025 ISA Junior Worlds and also a serious customer on this QS.

Sarah Leiceaga (© FFSurf/We Creative)

Direction Anza
In a general context so open in both categories and with so many profiles capable of upsetting a ranking in a single competition, all the ingredients come together for a high-tension outcome. Fragile positions, tight gaps, direct stakes: the Taghazout Pro promises to be a final without a net for the French. In the Moroccan waves, there will no longer be a question of calculation or projection. Only performance will count.
Last element to take into account: the competition conditions should differ from last year. In 2025, the event was held on the Pointe des Ancres wave, a world-class point break which allowed the best technicians to express themselves fully.
This year, the competition should be held exclusively on the Anza spot, a more random beach break and often more demanding in terms of adaptation. A change in configuration that could reshuffle the cards, by further enhancing surfers’ ability to read changing conditions and perform in less predictable waves.

Anza beach (© WSL)

QS EUROPE MEN’S RANKINGS
1. Guilherme Ribeiro (POR) 4280 pts
2. Tiago Carrique (FRA) 3660 points
3. Ido Hagag (ISR) 3580 pts
4. Renan Grainville (FRA) 3260 points
5. Sam Peter (FRA) 3162 pts
6. Hans Odriozola (ESP) 3160 pts
7. Sean Gunning (ESP) 3150 pts
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8. Thomas Debierre (FRA) 3060 points
9. Tristan Guilbaud (FRA) 2720 points
10. Francisco Ordonhas (POR) 2702 pts
15. Nicolas Paulet (FRA) 2126 pts
25. Enzo Horses (FRA) 1320 points
26. Something Ledee (FRA) 1290 points
27. Luan Nogues (FRA) 1226 points
28. Charly Quivront (FRA) 1162 points
29. Noah Dupouy (FRA) 1108 pts
30. Samuel Redon (FRA) 1090 points
33. Justin Becret (FRA) 1050 points
35. Thomas Ledee (FRA) 938 points
38. Kepa Housset-Ezponda (FRA) 798 pts

QS EUROPE WOMEN’S RANKING
1. Anat Lelior (ISR) 6000 pts
2. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (ESP) 5660 pts
3. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (ESP) 4800 pts
4. Maria Salgado (POR) 4226 pts
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5. Sarah Leiceaga (FRA) 3850 points
6. Ariane Ochoa (ESP) 3060 pts
7. Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 2850 pts
8. Noah Klapp (ALL) 2602 pts
9. Hina Conradi (FRA) 2540 points
10. Lucia Machado (CN) 2506 pts
11. Naia Monte (FRA) 2240 points
13. Desire Milhau (FRA) 2112 points
17. Juliette Greedy (FRA) 1890 pts
20. Anais Blanchard (FRA) 1436 pts
20. Maelys Jouault (FRA) 1436 pts
23. Clemence George (FRA) 1230 points
28. Ainhoa Leiceaga (FRA) 920 points