La Torche - surf spot statistics

La Torche, France, is a exposed beach break that works best with groundswell and offshore winds. The optimal surfing conditions are found during the autumn and winter months, particularly from October to February, when groundswell dominates (58% to 88%) and swell heights are consistently strong (1.9m to 2.7m). November through January stands out as the peak season, offering the largest waves (2.2m to 2.7m) and the highest likelihood of groundswell. However, wind conditions during these months are frequently onshore or cross-shore (bad winds 80%+ of the time), making clean surf days rare. Spring (March to May) sees diminishing swell size (1.6m to 2.1m) but slightly improved wind conditions (good winds 22% to 26%), while summer (June to August) brings smaller, wind-driven swells (1.2m) and still mostly unfavorable winds. September and October can offer a decent compromise, with increasing groundswell (42% to 58%) and marginally better wind chances (23% to 26%). If you're chasing power and consistency, focus on winter despite the wind challenges, but if you prefer slightly cleaner conditions with smaller waves, late spring or early autumn may provide better opportunities.

April at La Torche offers decent surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.6m and a solid 11s period, providing well-organized waves. The dominant swell direction is from the W and WSW, with the highest frequency of rideable waves (1-2.5m) coming from these sectors. Swells from the W contribute significantly, with 10-13% of waves in the 1-2.5m range, while WSW swells add another 5-12% in the same size bracket. Larger swells (over 2.5m) are rare, occurring less than 1% of the time. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 26% of the time offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from the NE to E). Stronger onshore winds (SW to W) are more common, especially in the 10-30kph range, which can degrade wave quality. Surfers can expect a mix of clean and choppy days, with the best sessions likely when W swells coincide with lighter NE winds. Overall, April provides consistent surf but demands patience for optimal wind conditions.