Le Gouerou.

Le Gouerou is a compact, punchy peak that breaks over a mixed uneven reef and sand bottom close to shore on the exposed northwestern tip of Brittany. The wave builds into a well-defined peak with bowly, hollow shoulders on both sides, producing steep takeoffs that demand commitment from the first stroke. It moves fast and the wall stays live enough to work sections, though the short wave length means most rides clock in under 50 metres before the wave exhausts itself or closes out. It fires on a broad swell window from SW through to N, with NW the optimal direction, and needs an easterly or east-southeast wind to clean up the face. Mid tide is the window - the wave shapes up properly as the water moves through the rising and falling phases, while a high tide makes the exit genuinely awkward and increases the risk of being washed onto the reef. Shallow sections and boils on the inside punish poor positioning, and submerged objects add to the consequences of a bad fall. The spot's consistency is high for Finistere, which is precisely why it draws a crowd. The local crew is territorial and has a well-established presence in the lineup - newer faces should read the pecking order before paddling out. Nearby alternatives like Penfoul to the north or Blancs-Sablons further south offer refuge when Le Gouerou is maxed out or the crowd becomes unworkable.

Steep takeoffs over mixed reef where mid-tide shapes the only rideable window.