Surfing Parlementia

On this scorching Wednesday, August 23, 2023, the thermometer in Bidart, in the beautiful French Basque Country, mercilessly reaches 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Farenheit). After spending the morning sheltered from the sweltering temperatures, I decided to venture out around 3:30 PM, at the peak of the heatwave, to see if a few intrepid souls had dared to venture into the water in search of the meager waves forecasted for the day. Armed with my trusty Fuji camera and a 50-200mm lens, I was struck by the striking contrast between the searing sun and the tranquility of the beach. The few surfers present seemed to have seized the opportunity of a quiet day, devoid of the usual crowds. In total, I captured about fifteen shots. Those three perfectly encapsulate the atmosphere of this moment. The lush vegetation in the foreground adds an exotic touch, evoking the idea of an isolated beach or a deserted island. A surprising contrast, as the French Basque Coast is usually teeming with surfers in August. Thus, this moment of serenity amid scorching heat becomes a rare experience, almost akin to a surf trip. These images, imbued with soothing calm, fierce sun rays, and the pure joy of su