La Gauche de Saint-Leu
West Coast, Reunion Island
Reef breakExpert
The left-hand counterpart to Saint-Leu's famous right, La Gauche is a shorter, heavier, more barrelling wave that is considered one of the most intense tubes in the Indian Ocean.
Typical Conditions
The Surf Window
Swell Window
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Wind
NE
Offshore
Tide
mid-high tide
LowMidHigh
Season
July–August
JFMAMJJASOND
The Wave
Type
Left
Bottom
Very shallow coral reef
Shape
Thick, pitching left-hand barrel, the wave throws a square, heavy lip over a dangerously shallow reef
Length
30–80m
Skill Level
- •Who it's for: Expert
- •Why: One of the Indian Ocean's most dangerous waves, an extremely shallow coral reef combined with Réunion's shark risk creates a profoundly hazardous environment.
Hazards
- •Extremely shallow coral reef, wipeouts are severe
- •Bull shark risk (Réunion's west coast is heavily shark-patrolled)
- •Powerful hold-downs over a coral bottom
- •Experts and local knowledge required
Local Tips
- •La Gauche is not surfed lightly, local Réunionnais surfers are among the best in the world and provide the benchmark for what is appropriate here.
- •Check both shark advisories and swell forecasts meticulously before attempting this break.
Location
-21.1645, 55.2873