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The "pelote basque"

To the sound of the txirritx

The cesta punta is the fastest ball sport in the world. Its origins are lost in the mists of time, but the gesture has crossed history and the ball has bounced back to Hossegor, which excels in this discipline.

In the South-West and particularly in the Basque Country, its land of choice, pelota is the inheritor of the game of paume which was very famous in the Middle Ages. Hossegor was the first French town to build a jaï alaï, a particularly long fronton (56 m) where cesta punta is played.

When the president of the International Federation of Basque Pelota was looking for a site to organise the 1958 World Championships of cesta punta, Hossegor applied and hosted the competition. Half a century later, the jaï-alaï still resounds with the clacking of the leather pelota and generations of young people have confronted each other on this fronton. As for Soorts, it has equipped itself with a trinquet, making the town a veritable Mecca for the ball game.

Practical information

Initiation and improvement courses, with qualified and dynamic staff, State Patent, high level French pelotaris. The official equipment is provided: Chistera, Pala, Helmet...

Book by phone

Come and discover the fastest ball sport in the world with the best professionals in the world every Monday and Wednesday.

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The Trinquet

Come and play pelota in a trinquet. By reservation at 05 58 41 90 16. Avenue du Centre in the town of Soorts.

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Places and disciplines

Depending on the speciality chosen, Basque pelota is played either at the JAI ALAI, or in the open air, on the outdoor court in front of the Sporting Casino, or at the TRINQUET in Soorts. Enter into magical and historical places.

  •  The CESTA PUNTA

The most spectacular speciality of pelota. It is the fastest ball game in the world. As hard as stone, the pelota can reach speeds of 250 km/h.

  •  The PALA

Similar to other racket sports, it is the most practiced specialty in France.