Parlementia is one of the legendary wave of Guéthary, a reef break that is often compared to Sunset. The spot is always very crowded with longboarders, shortboarders, gunners on the bigger days, SUP and even the random outrigger canoe. Regularly people end up in hospital after gnarly collisions…
You will be able to check the conditions from the magnificent Guéthary’s terrace that overlooks the spot, but keep in mind that it often looks smaller than it really is. Or you will just use the live camera… The wave starts breaking when it’s 3ft and can hold up to 18ft. And no matter the direction of the wind, Parlementia is always surfable. The paddling channel from the lagoon, or the harbour on bigger days or at low tide to avoid the rocks, makes it very easy to reach the line-up.
When it is low, Parlementia offers a very long mellow right at the back, and a hollower one inside. Beware of the rocks! At high tide, the two waves connect and break closer to the shore. The best time to surf it is on incoming tide, between mid and high. On a day with a nice NW swell over 12ft and an easterly wind, big wave surfers will be frothing over that spot. However, only experienced surfers should get out as the wave is way more powerful than it looks.
