Archive

A TIME TO CELEBRATE AFTER THE  WORLD TITLE

On his return from Ferrol (Spain) on 7 September 2010, Amaury goes to Hoff’s factory in Bayonne to share the joy of his new laurels with the SNIPER team. Lucky coïncidence of the calendar, the whole world team of Hoff’s distributors is present for the 2010-2011 presentation meeting : the arrival of the World Champion gives even more punch to their work. On the program, a press conference and an evening party were organized in his honour.

The press conference brings together the riding media and representatives of the FFS (National French Surf League). Marc Faraht – the Hoff CEO – praises the historic title that Amaury brings to the SNIPER brand and the entire Hoff company:
« We are very happy and proud to have this exceptional rider in our ranks, quite simply. This is an unique moment that we want to share with him. »

Amaury has joined the SNIPER team when he first started competing in 2003 with just a few boards to start with. Then the adventure accelerated with the promodels and with the results on the scoreboards for his stunning debut on the IBA World Tour in 2007.
Since then, the confidence has been confirmed, and Amaury expresses his pride in being part of this great and beautiful family of boardsports. And he thanks all the members of the Hoff company who have placed their trust in him over the years.

On the beginning of the press conference, Amaury dedicates his victory to three important people to him and who have passed away: his father, Matthieu Walbrou (Mat) and David Legleye, his friend from Reunion Island. This memory is full of emotion, Amaury remembers that Mat and David died on their trip back from the Sintra Pro in Portugal in 2001. He puts the highlights on his bumping 2010 Wold Tour and  give his impressions on his series at the Sintra Pro 2020, where he has won his World Title.
He also talks about his two major projects: to ensure that the IBA title is recognized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in France and to achieve the great project of an IBATOUR step in Reunion Island.

« Everything I do, I don’t do it for me.
It’s first of all for bodyboarding,
this sport of passion, which is my whole life.
These projects are for the French sport,
for all the bodyboarders of my country
who need recognition and encouragement.
And for my island, Reunion Island,
which has a huge potential
both by its fabulous spots and by its riders of an excellent level.
I don’t want to carry these laurels alone,
I have to make them grow and fruitful.
With this title, I’m just opening a new door in the history of this sport.
I want to create new opportunities,
to make people want to dare.
Otherwise, what’s the point of being the champion? »

ALL TOGETHER !

After a full day of work and meetings, the whole team is on deck to prepare the party.
The factory shop looks like a large party hall with a DJ, a buffet and champagne. Relaxed and smiling, Amaury  shares this festive moment with the Management, Marketing and Sales Teams of the whole HOFF company.
Cédric BORNAREL, representative of the Hoff company in Reunion Island, is also among the guests. And many other personalities such as : Iker AGUIRRE (NSI Ho5 Park), Ghislain VAGINAY (Inside Surf School), Frédérick MAGET (ex boss of Zone d’Impact), RIRAW Prod with the photographer Stéphane SALERNO and the video director Jean-François SARDA, Sébastien VAISSE (the brand new editor of Bodyboard Magazine), Guillaume Barucq (SurfPrevention. com), Stéphane BOULLY (ex-team manager at Hoff, now at Kanabeach and boss of the e-shop Board District) or the Spanish Edu BARTHOLOME (Meduxa.com).

To be noted, the presence of Christophe SEILLER (Cluster manager of EuroSIMA), Michel PLATEAU (Head of the FFS High Level Cluster) and Olivier AUCHERON (Nobelum and FFS bodyboard commission)…
As well as many riders including the legendary drop knee rider Dave HUBBARD (Hawaii) who was with Amaury in Sintra. He is about going to Reunion Island to spend a month discovering the island of Amaury. Charly CHAPELET (Reunion Island) the director of the Amaury dvd, accompanied by his girlfriend Laura Huscenot (sister of Reunion Maxime Huscenot, ISA Junior World Champion) and Fabrice MOULIN who followed Amaury on the European steps, Mathieu INCHAUSPE, Sébastien LACOMBE and so many others who come to join the whole event.

During the evening, Amaury signes three boards  for the winners of a random-draw winners of its promodel SNIPER  and put his autographs on the official IBA World Champion poster.

The next day, he flies back home to Reunion Island.
Amaury’s heart is full of these precious memories.
He is so impatient to share other incredible moments with all his brothers of Reunion Island.

(Text written by Stephane Michaux, reporter and photogaph,  for his website.)

See the Portfolio of BACK TO REUNION TO CELEBRATE