Hossegor

"It’s a small cabin on the lake in Hossegor, it does incredible, fresh food. It’s all vegan, vegetarian stuff, smoothies. But just for the location alone, that’s a great place to go."

Le Mango Tree

"My finishing spot, which not many people know about, is a little hotel called Villa Seren on the edge of the lake. It’s a great spot to have a gin and tonic and watch the sun go down, and it’s always quiet."

Villa Seren

"People come to Hossegor and think it’s all about the beach but we’re half an hour from some really good hiking in the Pyrenees. There’s a little spot called Le Petit Train which is an old cog railway which runs up a small mountain called La Rune. That’s a great spot, some lovely hikes. You can take the easy route getting the train up and walking down. There’s some good spots for lunch around there."

La Rhune

"A small shop up on the main road quite close to where we are at Wasted Talent. Vincent there shapes amazing boards, it’s always a really good vibe in there. They’re always trying to do something unique and different. It’s just honest, there’s no airs and graces in that place. You can talk to the guy that shapes your board. He does an amazing job but he’d happily take his time to talk you through anything."

Surfin Estate

Far from the stereotypes of burnouts and beach bums, Wasted Talent — a retail space, café, publishing house and creative studio — presents a view of surf life beyond the sea and into the cocktail bars of Lisbon, discotheques of Berlin and the sultry afternoons of Spain. Founded by Liverpool-born, Hossegor-based Ben Snowden-Boyd and Cornwall-born, Biarritz-based Alexei Obolensky. Wasted Talent has drawn together a sophisticated surf community to the shores of southern France. 

The Brit-born, France-based founders behind Wasted Talent, Ben Snowden-Boyd and Alexei Obolensky are redefining surf culture and coastal cool.

Hossegor with Ben Snowden-Boyd

Co-Founder @ Wasted Talent

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Ben Snowden-Boyd

Co-Founder @ Wasted Talent

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Ben Snowden-Boyd

Co-Founder @ Wasted Talent

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Curatingtravel,creativitycommunityand culture

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Curatingtravel,
creativitycommunity
and culture