30 septembre 2022
In
Amaury Academy -FRANCE- Sept, 2022
Plouguerneau , Bretagne (29)
MOTIVATED RIDERS & GOOD WAVES
https://www.surfing-abers.com
Archive
7 mai 2022
In
ARICA CULTURA 2022
Chile, Arica – May 2022
A MILESTONE IN MY CARREER
May 2022 is the start of the 2022 World Tour with the Arica Cultura, the first stage of the Bodyboard Tour. I arrive directly from Galdar, Gran Canaria via Madrid, in Arica, in the north of Chile, for the contest. I come to this mythical wave that I have been venerating for many years… It is an ideal wave for bodyboarding, a monster hard to tame that allows to score. The finest of global and local bodyboarding flocks for this first stage of the World Tour 2022, it’s great to be here. After two years of interruption of the World Tour (2020 and 2021), business is back on track and the riders have not been prayed for !
I START FROM THE BOTTOM
I’m part of the game, my goal is clear: I want to resume the World Tour gradually to try to get back in the Top 16 in 2022. I only participated in two stages in the last World Tour of 2019 – to dedicate myself to my family and my academy – then I came out of the Top 24. It means that I will have to go through the qualifications during the next events.
GAINING THE UPPER HAND FROM THE OUTSET
In the first rounds, I quietly score my opponents, winning each serie.
As I begin the 8th of the final, my strategy is simple : I want to score high and hard very early in the series to put pressure on the opponent and get ahead of the wave lines that sometimes delay to enter.
From the 1/4 finals, I will go up a notch, leaving my opponents combo practically during all the series. Against Matias Diaz (CHI) local rider capable of the best, I score a tube at 10 pts from the beginning. And he will respond with a 9.40. This is the magic of Arica: all riders can make good scores, because the level is high.
In the semi-final, against the underdog Maxime Castillo (FR), same score, I put a 10 pts in the first minutes. I coach him during the series, it’s important to encourage him to choose the best waves.
A MYTHICAL FINAL
In the final against Tristan Roberts (ZAF), I reissue the 10-pts tube at the very beginning, then very quickly a 9-pts to continue with another 10-pts. I feel that Tristan is no longer in the game. I also encourage him. It is important that he scores good waves. He has to fight to the end. He is a gifted rider, he must give the best. At the end of the time, I raise my arms to the sky. I am in shock.
Joy, emotion, fatigue but above all, pleasure.
I enjoy surfing these magic tubes, of making aerial inverts, of paying tribute to this wave.
I love feeling the fusion with the audience on the shore.
I appreciate climbing the technical cursor to surf at my best level because my opponents push me, because the level here is amazing.
When PLC and Yann Salaün (a French rider too) hold me up to the official stand, I feel moved and inspired, I have so much to say !
MY MESSAGES ON THE PODIUM
ABOUT MY VICTORY
» The riders who come to Arica all want to win. My first win here was in 2014, it’s been a long time. And yet, I came back every year, I have been on podiums.
I kept training, fighting, dreaming about that moment.
There are so many good bodyboarders on this wave, the path is difficult to get back on this podium, I did not give up and today I am there again !
Never give up, work and keep your aim.
I am proud and moved because it was a tough and beautiful fight with excelllent riders. »
FOR YOUNG GENERATIONS
» The dream of a bodyboarder is not to be a professional in this sport.
First, it is to have the bodyboard always present in your life, with you and in you, to inspire you an healthy life, travel, meet different people and cultures on different oceans, learn other languages.
Bodyboarding is a beautiful sport that has been living in the shadow of surfing for so many years but that’s the way it is. We, bodyboards, have a spirit, a mentality.
We live in an atmosphere far superior to that of a simple lucrative sport.
Connect to the ocean the way you want, because the ocean is life.
And if you connect with the bodyboard, you will live an unique and unforgettable experience.
I am so proud to be a bodyboarder and to share this with you !«
FOR THE FUTURE
« I just feel so thanksfull for what the universe has planned for me today and super gratefull for all the support I received during this event.
Definitely, it is a highlight in my competitive carrer and one of the best performance in the History of bodyboarding competition.
A huge congrats to all the competitors for putting the show during this contest.
The professional bodyboard Tour has now a new entity with the IBCWORLDTOUR.
So let’s work all together to push bodyboarding where it deserves to be ! »
30 mars 2022
In
BOCAS INVITATIONAL
Bluff Beach, Isla Colon, province of Bocas del Toro – Panama – 2022 February 14 to 20
AN INCREDIBLE STAY & COMPETITION
Hard to find the words to describe the week we spent on Bluff beach, Bocas del Toro, Panama, for the BOCAS INVITATIONAL, a contest dedicated to bodyboard.
I suppose that veryone has his own vision of Paradise…
If for you, it is a safe place with good waves, warm water, really friendly local people and a great bodyboarding community, so this could be it.
The event has been a total sucess from the start of it until the final day where we had some awesome waves for all the finals : Juniors, Women, DK and Open.
The Hawaiians dominated the prone and DK disivions with the Victory of Sammy Moretino and Dave Hubbard.
Isabela Sousa (Brazil) and Joel Rodriguez (Portugal) won in Women and Juniors divisions.
The Hawaiians dominated the prone and DK disivions with the Victory of Sammy Moretino and Dave Hubbard.
Isabela Sousa (Brazil) and Joel Rodriguez (Portugal) won in Women and Juniors divisions.
For a private competition, the event was very well organised and perfectly managed.
I am very grateful for the great work of the organizers, Francisco, Ruben and Gustavo !
I want to thank especially those who carried this event.
And in particular, the local guys who agreed to open up their tropical paradise.
At the time of departure, I was looking forward to returning with my family for an incredible holiday,
in the heart of this beautiful nature, and especially in the company of these beautiful people.
And in particular, the local guys who agreed to open up their tropical paradise.
At the time of departure, I was looking forward to returning with my family for an incredible holiday,
in the heart of this beautiful nature, and especially in the company of these beautiful people.
See you, Bocas and Panama !
11 février 2022
In
YUYO PRO 2022 – Invitational event in Galdar
El Pico del Agujero – Galdar – GRAN CANARIA
MOST OF THE TOP CANARIAN RIDERS
This event is organized by El Yuyo himself, the famous local rider Alexandre Reyes.
An invitational event with most of the top Canarian riders and one of the best wave location you could imagine for a competition !
El Pico del Agujero is one the waves I can see from my house when I wake up… It is a very strong one !
For me, it is a privilege to be part of it and to be able to compet in amazing conditions of waves against some of the best local riders.
In very good conditions, and with a tight timing, this competition will be a real challenge technicaly and physicaly.
As I am on the two divisions – Open and Drop Knee – I will have to ride 6 heats on the final day on the powerfull and the majestic wave of « El Pico del Agujero »!
As I am on the two divisions – Open and Drop Knee – I will have to ride 6 heats on the final day on the powerfull and the majestic wave of « El Pico del Agujero »!
ON BOTH PODIUMS !
I am super stoked on the final results with a first place in the DK division. I have tried my best riding back side against Javier Ceballos, Angelo Freda and Alejandro Ryes.
In the Open division, I’m happy to be on the second step of the podium with Jonathan Vega, the event’s winner and the talented Lionel Medina and my fellow countryman from Reunion island Robin Legros !
In the Open division, I’m happy to be on the second step of the podium with Jonathan Vega, the event’s winner and the talented Lionel Medina and my fellow countryman from Reunion island Robin Legros !
A special thanks to Alejandro Reyes el Yuyo for the organisation of this invitational event.
And my gratitude for the local community to make me feel at home…
See you next year !
And my gratitude for the local community to make me feel at home…
See you next year !
6 décembre 2020
In
2010-2020 Ten years ago, the Bodyboard World Title ceremony
A splendid ceremony for the World Tour
In early December 2010, at the Tao Club in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, there is a very special event about happening.
Indeed, the IBA staff and the local producer of the event have organized a fantastic party. It is time to celebrate the 2010 IBA World Champions.
Isabela Sousa, Brazil is the 2010 IBA Women World Champion, she is an incredible rider with many titles and a big skill ont he waves.
El Confital, Gran Canaria (Spain) is the last step of the 2010 World Tour. The days before, all the professional riders have competed for this last step of the World Tour.
I am so proud to celebrate my this world title. For the first time in the history of professional bodyboarding an European rider his holding the World Trophy.
France is entering the legend and Reunion Island too !
I feel so proud and happy.
A glamourous moment
The cocktail and the dinner take place in a beautiful and perfectly decorated reception area. There are about one hundred guests. It is a sort of a dream.
Terry Mac Kenna opens the ceremony in a tonic and joyful speach.
My mother and my grandparents have come from France as well as Gilles and Béatrice, my uncle and aunt flying from Marrakech.
As a French ambassador, I decide to wear a tuxedo for this exceptionnal occasion. My grandpa brings me his dress shoes. My mother gives me my father’s cufflinks made of gold and opaline. It is a rare moment, something new for me. I feel confortable and elegant but inside my mind and my soul, I feel moved and blissed.
Thanks to all people that make the moment unforgetable.
A big stand up for the IBA International Bodyboard Association
A big thanks to the Canarian organisers of this exceptional ceremony.
VIDEO my 2010 year on the World Tour in search of my title as a world champion : every contetst, my victories, my interviews and the ceremony. Video edited by FocusProd. Don’t miss it.
3 novembre 2020
In
2020 – FRONTON KING – One podium with special conditions
Galdar – Gran Canaria, October 2020
A big suspense for me until the end
This competition is quite different from all the others with the constraints of the Covid atmosphere.
This Fronton King competition is the only one of the 2020 IBC World Tour that has just taken over the reins of the World Tour.
The protocol is very strict, there is no public and you must wear a mask as soon as you get out of the water.
These are pretty special conditions for all of us. With the strict travel conditions, few international riders come as Pierre-Louis Costes, Maxime Castillo and a rider from Costa Rica.
Some Spanish riders are there with a majority of Canarian bodyboarders. These local riders really raise the level of the competition.
IN MEDIUM WAVES
On the edge of the cliff, the site of the competition is empty, very secured, it’s quite strange. No noisy crowd…
The competition is broadcast in live.
The wave conditions are quite good, with some lay-days to catch the best waves.
I lead my series with determination and I find myself in the final with Lionel Medina, a local rider.guys at his level in the Canary Islands.
Throughout the final, he shows maturity and concentration by surfing above average. He has a good strategy and he knows how to stay calm.
When the bell announces the end of the series, we are tied for the score : we have the global wave-points. Lionel having scored the best wave of the heat, I let him the first step on the podium
MY POSITIVE REACTION
At the Fronton, I’m the man to shoot down, it raises the level of motivation of my opponents …
Some people are surprised that I’m happy for him but they don’t really know me.
Of course, I am disappointed not to get the first place, with such a close score.
But Lionel is a young man who is come so far and he deserves to win this first place.
I react positively and realistically to his victory. I like to see new talnets comoing out and defying me.
I really that in 2021, the Fronton will once again receive the entire elite of the World and local BB.
With the exalted public, at the top of the cliff… and no more masks.
15 août 2020
In
2020 – QUEMAO CLASS – One more victory for me
La Santa, Lanzarote – January 2020
A WORLD CLASS WAVE
Located in Lanzarote, the wave of La Santa is nicknamed the European Pipe Line.
It is a wave of rare perfection that needs very concrete conditions to be perfect.
This is why the waiting period sometimes lasts for several months.
For the 2019 edition, the waiting period lasted beyond December.
It is January 2020 that the comp is lauched in absolutely perfect condition
I just come back from Cape Verde where I have been with my family for the holidays and for an Amaury Academy.
International guests including PLC, Alex Uranga, Maxime Castillo, Ibrahim Iddouch and Antonio Cardoso are invited.
I’m the titleholder so I feel super motivated.
The tide plays a crucial role on the quality of the wave, so you have to calculate the series at the most fair, between surf and bodyboard.
As we are at the top level, each discipline wants to ride in the best conditions…
I am very proud to win the competition.
As 2020 has been a poor year with no World Tour, profesionnal riders need to compete and this event is like a breath of fresh air.
The Best Wave Trophy
The organizers decide to intersperse two sets of surf and two sets of bodyboarding alternately throughout the competition.
In all my heats, I have the chance to score high then I earn points. In 1/8th I score 17.97 pts (10 and 7.97).
In the semi-finals, 19.00 pts (10 and 9) and in the final, I win with 16.00 its (9.33 and 6.67).
I retain the title ahead of Aitor Ojeda (Canary), Alex Uranga (Euskadi) and Pierre-Louis Costes(FR). I am proud to get the Quemao Class Best Wave Trophy as well.
Every year, it’s amazing to see the growing crowd that invades the beach, the enthusiasm of the public and the mutual respect between riders, surf and bodyboard.
This is a rare opportunity that should come more often on others spots.
It is true that on this perfect wave, as on that of Pipe Line or Teahuppo, both bodyboarders and surfers have opportunities to surf at their best.
My prize liste at La Santa QUEMAO CLASS
2016 – QUEMAO CLASS CHAMPION For my first participation, I won ahead of Moises Dorta, Alex Uranga and Salomon Moore.
2017 – QUEMAO CLASSS TOP 2 I finish 2nd behind Alvaro Padron, a Canarian bodyboarder.
2018 – QUEMAO CLASS CHAMPION I regain the title by winning the final, ahead of Alvaro Padron, Ruyman Rey and Carlos Sainz.
2019 – NO EDITION Due to poor conditions, the 2019 edition is reported in early 2020
2020 – QUEMAO CLASS CHAMPION I keep my title by winning the final ahead of Aitor Ojeda (Canary), Alex Uranga ( Euskadi) and Pierre-Louis Costes (France)
FR _ El Quemao Class 2020 – Lire en Français
ESP _ El Quemao Class 2020 – Leer en Español
25 mai 2020
In
STRETCHING & FITNESS
MY ROUTINE WITH STRETCHING POSES
You want to feel in a good shape and to improve your flexibility ?
A few daily stretches help to gain flexibility and strength.
Here are some easy-to-achieve positions and the benefits they provide.
Breathing and concentration are the keys to progress, in my opinion.
TRIANGLE
Utthita Trikoâsana
- Strengthens the thighs, knees and ankles
- Stretching groins, hamstrings, calves
- Open chest and shoulders
- Facilitates digestion
WARRIOR II
Virabhadrâsana
- Strengthens arms and shoulders muscles
- Opens your chest and lungs
- Trains the abdominal muscles
- Stretches hips and thighs
- Works on legs, ankles and feet
UPWARD FACING DOG POSE
Urdhva Mukha Svanâsana
- Stretches the lumbar area
- Tones legs and glutes
- Stimulates the abdominal strap and abdominal organs
- Strengthens wrists, arms and back
- Stretches shoulders, chest and stomach.
DORSAL STERTCHING BY ANGLING
- Stretches dorsal and shoulders
- Stretches ischios
- Strengthens lower back
- Opens chest and shoulder
CRESCENT MOON
Anjaneyâsana
- Indeed, it serves as a very good stretch for the thighs, shoulders, rib cage and even the neck.
- Strengthens of the abdominal belt
- Relieves and relaxes the lumbar
- Stretches the psoas and hip flexors
SCORPION
Vrischikâsana
- It is made to gain strength and flexibility.
- This position targets the back, hips, abdomen and legs and is very effective in firming the body.
- Very good way to strengthen the back and torso
- Strengthens arms and shoulders.
- Helps to have a better balance
My advice :
Vrischikasana requires a good balance, much more than strength in the arms and shoulders.
Scorpion is above all a game of checks and balances.
When you are in the right position, the effort seems to almost disappear.
This is one of the most difficult asanas to master and it should be attempted only by advanced yoga students…
May be I will show you the pose on a training video soon ?
15 avril 2020
In
2019 – FRONTON KING – A big challenge
El Fronton , Galdar – Gran Canaria
A HIGH-STAKES FINAL
In 2019, the step of the Fronton King returns into the APB World Tour season.
This is my first year of break on the World Tour and I decide to go only to Arica and to attend the Fronton King.
I’m not in the title race nor the Top 10, I have no goal other than to surf at my best and show that I’m always in the game and fit.
It’s a great competition, with big waves every day, that allow me to score high.
excepted on the last day when wind and rain decide to come and disturb the perfection of El Fronton.
But on that spot, even in poor conditions, the waves are much better than in other places.
LOOKING FOR BIG SCORES
This 2019 competition is very intense, I have to play on technique and strategy.
In the 1/4 final, I score a 10 pts in the last seconds wave against Tanner Mac Daniel
In the 1/2 final against Jared Houston – my winner in the previous FK final in 2017 – a 8,5 pts IN the last second of the heat allows me to reach the final.
From the beginning of the afternoon, conditions are stuck with irregular waves and little opportunity for high-potential waves.
A BIG SUSPENSE FOR THE WORLD TITLE
For this last competition of the Tour 2019 the ranking is favorable for two riders on the WT :
Tristan Roberts and Pierre-Louis Costes, each one can be the World Champion 2019.
This final of the final event is very important : if Tristan wins, it will be the 2019 World Champion.
In case I finish the first, it is Pierre Louis who gets his third world title.
Imagine the pressure as you enter the water for the final for both Tristan and I.
AN AVERAGE FINAL WITH A BIG STAKE
As Tristan and I are going the he peak before the start, I tell Tristan that the title is within reach, that his destiny belongs to him.
Tristan is afraid, I tell him it’s the perfect time to do it.
The heat is not easy to lead as the sea is hasty, the perfect Fronton lines do not arrive
The final does not offer a very big show, in the rain, wind and capricious waves.
But Tristan and I fight fairly, with Tristan scoring two waves at 7.67 and 7.5 and for me only at 6.67 and 6.53.
ONE VICTORY AND ONE WORLD TITLE
It’s exciting to see your opponent becoming the World Champion.
The emotion is very strong for the winner of the heat and I am close to him to share this unique feeling.
I also appreciate the enthusiasm and the support of the public, my wife who is waiting with Nahara in the rocks below the cliff, just by the sea.
I like to see my son Oliver waiting for me upstairs and the big ovation of the audience.
Thank you to all of you.
A big bravo for the organization of the contest and the quality of surfing of the Canarian riders who are not on the worldWorld Tour.
These riders set the bar very high for competitors at El Fronton.
The ceremony of the 2019 season is memorable, Tristan Roberts celebrates his World Title.
I receive the 2019 APB Award for Best Performance.
12 janvier 2019
In
2018 – FRONTON KING, one more time
Galdàr, Gran Canaria – 20 October 2018
TAKING MY CROWN BACK
The Fronton King 2018 is a World Cup form and is not part of the APB tour, following disagreements with theorganisers.
So there are few riders of the World Tour but the level is really high.
There are three world champions as Dave Hubbard, André Botha and Guillerme Tamega who are not the least.
Above all, there are many canarian riders who know the spot perfectly and are serious challengers.
Among the stages of the World Tour, the Fronton is the one where the local riders have the highest level.
The 2018 edition offers a prize money of 12,000 € to the winner, the strongest in the history of bodyboarding.
For my part, I do not hesitate a minute, with a prize money like this on one of the waves best suited to our sport.
And I want to win.
The organisation and the promotion of the event is perfect, worthy of the world level : live webcasts and comments, interviews, press realise, concert, demonstration in schools…
The fan-zone on the cliff is crowdy and the online audience is high-level .
During the comp, I keep my hand throughout the heats, I’m really focused and motivated to win.
In the semi-finals, I take Guillerme Tamega out with my 18,57 pts and I am happy to face Jonathan Vega, a talented canarian rider, in the final.
During the final, I begin with a 7 followed by an 8-pts wave. Jonathan answers me with a 7,1 pts.
I find a good left tube + invert + rollo scoring 9,5 pts. Jonathan is in a combo position.
However, five minutes later I get a huge tube on a solid right and deep barrel catching 10 pts.
When the bell rings, the socre is 19,5 pts for me and 15,2 for Jonathan Vega.
On this tricky and powerful spot, tension and concentration are essential to succeed.
Now the pressure is dropping. Emotion overwhelms me. My heart is full.
Fronton is a kingdom to be conquered constantly…
See the FINAL DAY FK 2018 video