When O’Neill invited SurfGirl to join their Women of the Wave retreat in Seignosse, Hossegor, hosted by Johanne Defay, I jumped at the chance. A weekend of surfing, good food, like-minded women and one of the world’s best surfers? It felt like the perfect excuse to swap emails and deadlines for saltwater and sandy feet.
Words: Holly Purchase Photos: Josephine Walker
What quickly became clear was that this wasn’t just a surf camp. It was an opportunity to step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with something much simpler.
I joined a group of women brought together by a shared love of surfing and a desire to spend more time in the ocean. Of course, there was the draw of improving our surfing, making more drops, catching better waves and building confidence in the lineup. But as Johanne explained, the ocean offers so much more than just progression.
We spend so much of our lives distracted by responsibilities and life admin. She explained that, “when it’s just you and the ocean, something shifts.”
And she’s right. Out there, there is little time or energy to give to anything beyond the wave in front of you. Whether a wave peels perfectly or detonates in front of you, the question remains the same… What’s the plan?
Before the other guests arrived, I had the chance to explore Granja Josi, Johanne’s beautiful rental accommodation for active holidays. A stone’s throw from pine tree lined roads in the Landes Forest, it’s the kind of place that immediately makes you exhale.
Clean architectural lines, polished concrete, warm pops of colour and beautifully considered spaces, it manages to feel both stylish and deeply welcoming. A sauna, glittering pool, outdoor kitchen, gym and yoga mezzanine. The sort of beach house most surfers have on a Pinterest board somewhere.
I was welcomed by Alessia from Team O’Neill and Johanne herself, alongside her nine-month-old daughter, Kimi, who became a cheerful fixture throughout the weekend. Watching Johanne balance motherhood alongside hosting and coaching the weekend was genuinely inspiring. With her sights set on getting back on tour, there’s no doubt she’ll have her biggest supporter cheering from the shore.
The rest of the guests arrived the following day – most had travelled from Paris, stepping away from demanding careers, busy schedules and the beautiful chaos of motherhood. All seeking a few precious days in the surf and sunshine.
Each morning began around a table laden with nourishing breakfasts prepared by Andy from Hossegor Cuisine. Coffee cups were topped up, surf forecasts were checked and conversations quickly turned to waves.
Then it was time to pile into the van and weave our way through Seignosse’s pine-lined roads in search of the best conditions.
Before each session, Johanne and Paul Tesson from Method Surf Coaching guided the group through beach warm-ups , talking through the conditions and helping everyone understand the unique nature of surfing in this part of the world. Sandbanks, currents, shifting peaks and local knowledge were all part of the lesson.
The coaching struck the perfect balance between support and challenge. Everyone felt encouraged and capable, but also pushed just enough to step outside their comfort zone.
And the waves delivered.
For the most part, conditions were dreamy, with playful peaks and long walls offering plenty of opportunities to put the coaching into practice. This is Hossegor after all, and every now and then the Atlantic reminded us who’s in charge, sending a ripple through the lineup.
Back on land, the learning continued.
Afternoons were dedicated to video analysis sessions led by Paul Tesson, who somehow managed to make every ride, wipeout, missed opportunity and near-make both educational and entertaining. There was plenty of laughter.
After returning to Granja Josi for food, showers and a little downtime, the group rolled out their yoga mats for evening sessions with local teacher Cécile.
Tired shoulders were stretched, aching hips released and busy minds slowed. The classes felt like the perfect complement to long days in the water, and the gentle massage at the end of each session was nothing short of bliss.
The rhythm of the weekend quickly settled into something wonderfully simple: surf, eat, learn, laugh, repeat.
Days began around the breakfast table full of anticipation and ended with stories of the best waves caught, the near misses and the ones that somehow got away.
“Such an amazing weekend full of memories. Already looking forward to the next Women of the Wave.”
– Maud
The coaching was exceptional, the location beautiful and the hospitality second to none. But we also left with something harder to describe: a renewed sense of confidence, a fresh perspective and friendships forged through surfing.
It was inspiring to be part of this weekend and to witness the joy surfing continues to bring to lives that are often overflowing with commitments and distractions.
What O’Neill has created through Women of the Wave feels genuinely meaningful. If you’re looking for a surf retreat that combines progression, community, adventure and a healthy dose of ocean therapy, this should be on your radar.
“There is something really special about these weekends: a space in time where we can come together exactly as we are, sharing waves, stories, laughter, motherhood, life, dreams and all the messy and beautiful bits in between.”
Anne-Laure
Next Women of the Wave event is on 5 – 11th September 2026, BoardX Surfcamp, France
