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.

In September, La Torche offers fairly consistent surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.4m and a solid period of 10.3s, indicating well-formed and powerful waves. The dominant swell directions are W, WSW, and WNW, which generate the most rideable waves, particularly in the 1-2.5m range, with W swells delivering the highest frequency of surfable conditions (13.79% at 0.5-1m and 13.68% at 1-1.5m). Larger swells (over 2.5m) are rare but possible from W and WSW directions. Wind conditions are favorable for surfing 26% of the time, with lighter offshore or cross-shore winds mostly from the E to SE, while stronger onshore winds from SW to W can occasionally degrade wave quality. The best sessions typically occur when wind speeds stay below 20kph from easterly quadrants, coinciding with W/WNW swells for clean, well-organized waves. While smaller days (0.5-1.5m) are common, September sees a decent chance of head-high+ surf, making it a reliable month for intermediate to advanced surfers.