The William Aliotti’s Twin Fin Invitational is back: bigger, looser, and with new additions!

More than 35 surfers from 10 countries unite in France for the 2025 edition,
including three-time World Champion and style master Tom Curren.

From October 21–28, Vieux Boucau, France becomes home to one of the most creative surf gatherings in Europe. What started as William Aliotti’s “let’s-just-surf-twin-fins-and-have-fun” experiment in Seignosse has evolved into a full-blown celebration of style, community, and creative surfing.

This year’s edition brings together a truly international talent pool of more than 36 surfers from 10 countries, spanning the U.S., France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, Japan, and South Africa, mixing icons, underground stylists, and the next generation of free surfers. The result? A one-of-a-kind collision of cultures, style, and twin-fin magic on the French coast.

Last year’s debut featured flawless 4-to-6 ft peaks, unforgettable sessions, and over two million views across global surf media.

Here’s what you need to know before round two lights up the Landes coastline:

1. The Concept

The Twin Fin Invitational is not a surf contest, it’s a celebration of creative surfing and the culture around it. Born from William Aliotti’s idea to gather friends, artists, and surfers for a week of pure expression, it blends twin-fin lines, art shows, live music, and community moments into something that feels more like a festival than a competition.

It’s about slowing down, drawing different lines, and reminding everyone that surfing is still about freedom, flow, and style.

More about the event format and judging criteria here.

2. The Host and Creator — William Aliotti

Born in Saint Martin and based between the Caribbean and the southwest of France, William Aliotti has built a career on doing things his own way, blending progressive surfing with a deep respect for style, travel, and creative expression. A true free surfer, William has spent the last decade exploring every kind of wave imaginable, from Indo slabs to cold-water points, always with an artist’s approach to surfing.

As Stab Magazine wrote, “William Aliotti is one of those rare surfers who can turn any wave into art, whether it’s two feet or ten.”

The Twin Fin Invitational is the physical expression of that same mindset. Authentic, creative, and effortlessly raw: a celebration of twin-fin.

3. The Location — Vieux Boucau

This year, the Invitational slides a few dunes north to Vieux Boucau, a classic surf area that embodies the laid-back rhythm of the French Atlantic. Because France is more than just Hossegor, this edition aims to shine a light on another corner of the Landes coastline, equally rich in waves, character, and community.

Surfers will again stay at Ocean Shelter, a creative hub that’s part surf camp, part artist commune, and the perfect HQ for the event’s free-spirited energy.

4. The Lineup — Legends Meet the New Wave

This year’s lineup brings together more than 35 surfers from 10 countries, spanning the U.S., France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, Japan, and South Africa.

New faces like Tom Curren, Alex Knost, Noah Lane, Cam Richards, Gearoid McDaid, Aritz Aranburu, Eli Beukes, Lee-Ann Curren, Pat Curren, Garazi Sánchez, Pacha Lina, Giada Legati, Zoe Jaeckin, and Erwin Bliss join returning icons Ozzy Wright, Victor Bernardo, Ainara Aymat, Adrien Toyon, Maud Le Car, Miguel Blanco, Victoria Vergara, Vincent Duvignac, Gony Zubizarreta and Sam Piter.

It’s a melting pot of style, attitude, and expression that makes this event what it is: surfing, unfiltered. See the full 2025 riders roster here.

5. The Format — The Crew Votes After the Clips

No jerseys. No judging tower. No stress. Surfers ride twin fins (minimum 19.5” wide), surf both frontside and backside, and gather each night for clip screenings to vote among themselves for the most memorable rides. It’s democratic, it’s raw, and it keeps the focus exactly where it belongs, on style and flow.

6. The First Edition

The first Twin Fin Invitational 2024 ran in Seignosse, France (October 2024), scoring some of the year’s best sandbanks. Over one week, 34 surfers, from Ozzie Wright and Chippa Wilson to Tosh Tudor, Asher Pacey, and Jaleesa Vincent, came together in a completely new kind of format: mixed heats, peer-voted sessions, and pure style.

At the end of it all, Victor Bernardo (Brazil) and Ainara Aymat (Basque Country) took home the honors for their standout surfing. Beyond the waves, there were film premieres, concerts, and community dinners that turned the whole thing into a family-style celebration, proving there’s room in surfing for something more soulful, cinematic, and human.

Wanna see what went down last year? Click here.

7. A Brand New Website

For the first time, the Twin Fin Invitational has its own digital home:

thetwinfininvitational.com.

The new site brings together everything about the event: the story, full riders lineup, schedule, photo galleries, and all the behind the scenes from the 2024 edition. It’s also home to a dedicated Media Section, where journalists and partners can find the latest news and download high-res imagery for editorial use.

8. The Partners

Presented by Monster Energy, the Twin Fin Invitational is backed by a collective of brands that live and breathe surf culture:

Volcom, Globe, Lovemachine, I-Sea, Nixon, Wasted Talent, Ocean Shelter, Surflogic Hardware, Vieux Boucau Port d’Albret, Hotdogger – L’art de vivre le surf, Conchobar Amplified Chocolate, Coolin, Vieux Boucau Surf Club, and Makai Beach Food & Drink.

9. The Schedule — October 21–28

The waiting period runs from October 21 to 28, chasing the best two days of swell for the surf sessions. Around it, a full week of art, film, and live music turns south west of France into the beating heart of twin-fin culture.

Tuesday 21st
• 8:30 p.m. → Movie premiere: William Aliotti “Jungle Fever & Desert Rats” @ Le Rex Cinema Hossegor.
• 9:30 p.m. → Drinks & Music with Christian Bolognaise @ Café de Paris.

Wednesday 22nd
• Potential surf day – Vieux Boucau.

Thursday 23rd
• Potential surf day – Vieux Boucau.

• 7:00 pm→ Art Show and Live Painting by Ozzy Wrong + Free Brews.

Live Shaping by Ryan Lovelace @ Chienville shaping room.

Friday 24th
• 9:00 p.m. → Movie premieres: Alex Knost, Juliette Lacome & Brendon Gibbens @ Wasted Talent
• 10:30 p.m. → After-party @ Coolin.

Saturday 25th
• 3:00 p.m. → Ocean workshop: “Save Le Mermaid” Beach Cleanup with Maud Le. Car and Introduction to Lifeguarding Careers by NSXL Academy.
• 6:00 p.m. → Club Apéro @ Le Warf Vieux Boucau.

Sunday 26th
• 8:00 p.m. → Twin Fin Invitational 2025 –  Award Ceremony.
• 9:00 p.m. → Tom Curren Concert.
• 2:00 a.m. → Official Closing Party @ Coolin

*The schedule might dance around the forecast — check the site for the latest call.

10. Follow the event

The Twin Fin Invitational will post live updates, daily photos, and short edits across its social channels throughout the week.

Follow along and tag your posts with #TwinFinInvitational to join the conversation.

Instagram: @the_twinfin_invitational
YouTube: The Twin Fin Invitational
Website: thetwinfininvitational.com

For official photos and press materials, visit the Media Center at thetwinfininvitational.com

Media, contact or specific content requests: media@thetwinfininvitational.com