“You should have been there yesterday!” But this usual surf cliché didn’t bother one guy this morning on the sand bank at Estagnots. Despite a foot injury, Tim Boal managed to earn himself a wildcard entry into the main event of the Quiksilver Pro France presented by Orange. While Tuesday and Wednesday offered some excellent conditions here, this morning the set waves struggled to reach the metre mark under a steady onshore wind. But Tim Boal didn’t seem to care… the surfer from Anglet is on a roll: a win last week at the 5-star event in Zarautz and the official confirmation that Tim will be surfing amongst next year’s ASP World Tour Top 45 put a smile on his face despite the poor conditions this morning. What might be a little bother for the Frenchman is his recurring heal injury and he will seek expert advice this week to know if he needs surgery or just some well earned rest.

Tim will join the two other wildcards Michel Bourez and Joan Duru.

More tomorrow but round one is more likely to start Saturday with a new swell on the way, lucky buggers!