Surphang Magazine Issue 31
Proudly presents
Euphoria in Ecuador
Hiquily on a High!
Tahitian Temptation The Fire of Fioravanti
The Pro Show Champ Chats Leo Di Champio!
It's a Grom's Life!
Surphang Magazine
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'It's hard to stay on top!' It's contest time once again as Europe starts to play host to its leg of both the ASP Pro Junior and Qualification Series tours. So in this issue, we catch up with a number of Pro Junior surfers currently at the top of their game and vying to maintain their spot at the top. We also take a tempting look at Tahiti where the World Tour will be heading next as well as focusing on the exciting propsect of having our very own perfect artificial waves right here in the UK – yes by this time next year a wavegarden will exist at two locations and so we take a look at The Wave project developing near Bristol. Plenty then to keep us all SURPHANG over the summer!
Leo Fioravanti leading the way! Photo: Craig Bessant SM - 02
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Surphang Magazine
Magazine Editor: Stuart Gaston Contributing Photographers: Jean-Marc Amoyal, Craig Bessant, Andrea Bianchi, Oliver Emsallem, Duarte Filipe, Rommel Gonzales, Bernard Moulia, Andrea Papa, Jared Sislin and Ben Thouard Staff Photographer: Stuart Gaston
Send any photographic submissions for future issues of the magazine to: surphangmagazine@ymail.com
Cover Shot: Mateia Hiquily making it deep in a Tahitian pit! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
Mateia Hiquily high tide fun. Photo: Jean-Marc Amoyal
This Issue's Features
Surphalosophy
The Pro Show
Champ Chats Leo Di Champio!
The Fire of Fioravanti!
Mateia Hiquily won both QS and Pro Junior events in his native Tahiti early this year so we talk to him about his success!
Leo-Paul Etienne became the Under 16 World Junior Champion in Ecuador earlier this year – time to chat with another champ!
Coming back to defend his ASP European Pro Junior Champion title, Leo Fioravanti is as on fire as ever as we find out here!
Hiquily on a High!
Plus regular features,
The The Wave Wave of of Chang Chang
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and
The Goss...
THE GALLERY
ThisIssue
Euphoria in Ecuador
Tahitian Temptation
It's a Grom's Life!
They were the team that came second and they had the best time in Ecuador – we just had to go and find out much more!
As the World Tour prepares to return to the might of Teahupoo, we share what makes Tahiti and its waves so totally tempting!
In this ever developing world, surfing groms are also pushing the limits – here's just three going bigger and higher!
Jacome Correia launching into a solid surfing career! Photo: Filipe Duarte SM - 06
Welcome to
The Pro Show Hiquily on a high! Photos: Stu Gaston, Jean-Marc Amoyal & Oliver Emsallem; Words: Stu Gaston
07 - SM Mateia Hiquily making it through a deep blue Tahitian pit! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
Mateia Hiquily has had a great year so far, taking wins at both the 1-star ASP QS event and the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior at Papara. Now having been the European Pro Junior runner-up last year when he won the last event in Spain, he's returning to Europe with his eyes set on the much bigger championship prize this time around. So we caught up with him days after his two wins to talk about his ongoing success!
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Hiquily on a High!
09 - SM Mateia Hiquily grabs some air time at Lacanau! Photo: Stu Gaston
The Pro Show
Name: Mateia Hiquily Age: 18 Nickname: Skualo Years surfing: 8 years Where you live: Taapuna, Tahiti Sponsors: Billabong, Von Zipper, Future Fins, Friday management, Flanagan Surfboards, Kevin Heminway Local Break/s: Taapuna is my home spot, but Sapinus which is an amazing huge heavy left is next along after Taapuna. Teahupoo is on the other side of the island but still close. The closest beach break is Papara at 20 miles from my house. Favourite surfer? John John Florence Favourite place to surf? Home, Teahupoo! Favourite surf movie? Modern Collective Favourite surf trick? Kerrupt Favourite board? Flanagan, Arakawa
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Hiquily on a High!
11 - SM Looking on as Mateia Hiquily makes it through another Teahupoo tube! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
The Pro Show What first got you into surfing? My dad put me on a surfboard when I was 8 years old but I didn't like it at first! The year after he tried again with a bodyboard and I started to like that, so one month later, I went back to the beach with the surfboard he bought the year before, and since that day I have been surfing almost every day of my life! Who in surfing inspires you most? Andy Irons
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Hiquily on a High!
13 - SM Mateia Hiquily having fun! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
The Pro Show When and where was your best surf session? Somewhere in the Pacific Islands last year at this time! And what about your worst wipeout? Teahupoo, 8 feet, the wave hit me in the front when I was 14 years old What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Depends, sometimes when you train a lot you start to be in competition mode then when you are more with friends with really good waves, free surfing is good!
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Hiquily on a High!
15 - SM Mateia Hiquily making light work of taking on Teahupoo! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
The Pro Show Now, two thousand and fourteen has been a good year for you so far especially after you took out wins in both the Pro Junior and WQS events at Papara. So first talk us through that contest and the highs and lows that lead to you earning your victories.
I had a very average beginning of year with contests in Australia and Hawaii, and even Tuamotu. I surfed good but was simply unlucky and unsuccessful. So I tried to forget about that and focus on training, and maybe that is the reason I actually got some good results in Papara!
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Hiquily on a High!
17 - SM Mateia Hiquily making his mark on a Hossegor lefthander! Photo: Jean-Marc Amoyal
The Pro Show And what about last year when you had highlights like winning the inaugural Surf Rias Baxias Pro Junior in Spain? Last year it was quite similar, I was in Europe and at every competition my results were better and better but still far from a victory and then suddenly, I was in the final in the Canaries with Leo, and at that moment I felt that I was able to win something which I did in the last Pro Junior of the season. How did that season on the Pro Juniors go overall for you? Could have been better, could have been worse, but I felt confident and motivated
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Hiquily on a High!
19 - SM Mateia Hiquilytakes it high in this Teahupoo tube! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
The Pro Show You've had to overcome some solid surfing from your contenders during all these contests both at home and abroad. So how do you rate your surfing peers across the globe at the moment? I don't know to be honest but what I do know now is that I can win and yes I will have to be really focused and train because it really makes the difference sometimes!
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Hiquily on a High!
21 - SM Mateia Hiquily makes light work of towering Teahupoo! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
The Pro Show
Do your recent wins back at home go down as your best victories to date then? For sure to win an international event is something really big for me! And now you've cleaned up at the Papara event, what are your goals for the rest of this year? My goal is to keep going that way, get good results and some wins of course and do some surf trips!!
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Hiquily on a High!
23 - SM Mateia Hiquily keeps his eyes on the prize back in Europe! Photo: Jean-Marc Amoyal
The Pro Show
So what about training? How do you keep on top of fitness and keep on pushing your surfing? I've had the best coach for years now hired by Billabong for its team riders, Richard 'Dog' Marsh. I think that it's him who makes me where I am. He is a great person and we train a lot with him. In Tahiti, I'm beginning to practise underwater spearfishing and ju jitsu and very recently I've got involved in a new kind of camp training with Stephane (Kainalu), it is very new for me but I feel that it helps me!
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Hiquily on a High!
25 - SM Mateia Hiquily in another blue room! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
The Pro Show
Now you're from Tahiti with some of the best waves that the Pacific has to offer right on your doorstep! How do you rate those breaks compared to other iconic waves around the world? Teahupoo is the strongest and scariest wave for me but maybe because it's my home! We have point breaks, beach breaks and the best reefs breaks here so I think we are blessed! You also get to spend your summer season over in mainland Europe. So what about any other plans for travelling? Where else are you aiming to surf this year? I hope Mentawaiis and also Brazil!
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Hiquily on a High!
27 - SM Mateia Hiquily on a Teahupoo tube time high! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
The Pro Show Finally then, where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? I hope to follow our role model, Michel Bourez!
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Champ Chats Leo Di Champio! Photos: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne; Words: Stu Gaston
29 - SM Leo Etienne sets himself up to hit that lip! Photo: Rommel Gonzales
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Leo Di Champio!
31 - SM Leo Etienne looking confident on his backhand! Photo: Rommel Gonzales
CHAMP CHATS
Name: Leo-Paul Etienne Age: 15 Years surfing: 10 Where you live: Guadeloupe, Caribbean Sponsors: Kazuma Surfboard Hawai, Reef shoes, Featherfins, Local break/s: La Bouelle (Le Moule, Guadeloupe) Favourite surfer? Julian Wilson Favourite place to surf? All spots on my island Favourite surf movie? All new movies on Youtube Favourite surf trick? Air reverse and Barrels Favourite board? Kazuma 5'4 X 17'25 X 2
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Leo Di Champio!
33 - SM Leo Etienne letting loose on a lefthander! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
CHAMP CHATS
What first got you into surfing? I've surfed since I was young; I live in the Caribbean so it is easy to surf every day. My parents are also surfers, and they spent almost every day on the beach and they had so many boards (surf, longboard, bodyboard and Stand up Paddle). It was easy for me to play in the waves when I was baby, and after that I quickly got the 'bug'! When and how did you become sponsored? When I was 8 years old, I won a National Contest in France and a team manager of a major factory of a large surf company offered to sponsor me Who in surfing inspires you most? All surfers in contests who get good barrels and bust big tricks
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Leo Di Champio!
35 - SM Leo Etienne likes whacking the lip! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
CHAMP CHATS When and where was your best surf session? Lakey Peak (Sumbawa) in June 2014 What's the worst wipeout of your life? In a secret spot on my island, on a big wave very close to the reef What do you prefer then, free surfing or competitions and why? I prefer always to have fun in the waves, whether in free surf or competitions
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Leo Di Champio!
37 - SM Leo Etienne letting those fins free! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
CHAMP CHATS
Now becoming the Under 16 World Junior Champion must have been the highlight of your year so far. So talk us through the contest out in Ecuador and how it lead to you earning the title. It's a very hard competition, I was the youngest and it was the first time I had qualified for the French Team to take part in a World Championship. From the beginning though it went well and I had good scores in my heats, getting through my rounds easily. My coaches helped me a lot with lots of tips. The waves there looked just like the waves I used to surf at home in Guadeloupe which helped and I love left waves as I prefer surfing backhand waves. The hardest part was when I had qualified for the semi-final. I surfed only one heat that day, and I slept badly before the finals day. The last day I won the semi-final and two hours later I scored a good first wave in the main final; after that it felt easy! You must have had to overcome some solid surfing from your contenders? I certainly felt like the outsider up against top surfers like Jake Marshall, Griffin Colapinto and Nolan Rappoza who are all the leaders of my age category, but I managed to place huge backside rollers, and I was lucky to place 3 or 4 big turns on one wave so it ended up going my way on the day!
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Leo Di Champio!
39 - SM Leo Etienne looking solid on his backhand! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
CHAMP CHATS
And now being World Champion, does that go down as your best victory to date? For sure this is a huge and incredible victory for me! So now you're a champ then, what's next for Leo Etienne? I want to keep enjoying my surfing mainly, though next step for me now is the European Championship in Azores in September, and I hope to qualify for next ISA World Championship next year What about your goals for the second half of this year? I hope to do well on the European ASP Pro Juniors over the summer, then the European Championship in Azores in September and in October the National Championships and just after all that I want to go for The SUP World Tour in La Torche in Brittany. Stand up Paddle boarding is another activity I enjoy and I love surfing with my small paddleboard (6’8)
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Leo Di Champio!
41 - SM Leo Etienne certainly seems to be leading the way with his backhand! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
CHAMP CHATS
So what about training? Just get out there, surf and have fun in all conditions And how do you keep on top of fitness and keep on pushing your surfing? I practice my surfing every day, in all conditions and in different waves. But I also have a physical coach. Now you're already from Guadeloupe with some top quality waves right on your doorstep! But what about plans for travelling? Where have you been and are you heading off to surf any other spots around the world soon? I've just come back from Bali and Sumbawa where I was for all of June, I had incredible waves and big barrels in Lakey Peak. So for now I am staying just in the South West of France for all the summer contests, Guethary for SUP and Hossegor and Lacanau for surf contests. Finally, where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? First I want to finish my school and graduate in 3 years. And I just want to always enjoy surfing in whatever conditions, even if I make it onto the ASP Tour!
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Surphalosophy
The Fire of Fioravanti! Photos: Jean-Marc Amoyal, Craig Bessant, Andrea Bianchi & Andrea Papa; Words: Stu Gaston
Leonardo Fioravanti has often been referred to as the 'future' of surfing. With numerous wins and championship titles to his name, it's not hard to see why! At only 16 years old, Leo has conquered many surfing accolades ahead of his time, his most recent being ASP European Pro Junior Champion and that's what makes Leo such an exciting prospect for the future of surfing – if he's achieving these things already, what does tomorrow hold for this young Italian surfer? With this in mind, we decided it was now time to find out a bit more about Leo's motivation, to dig a little deeper into the 'Fire of Fioravanti'!
43 - SM Leo Fioravanti up close and peronsal in a Gold Coast blue room! Photo: Craig Bessant
surphalosophy
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
45 - SM Leo Fioravanti flicks his fins out! Photo: Craig Bessant
surphalosophy It's been almost a year since we last spoke to you then Leo and you've been as busy as ever! First of all then, tell us about your travels. You spent some time during the winter in Australia, so how was that? What were the highlights? I love Australia, it's my second home! I have so many friends there, every year it gets better and better! This year the banks at Snapper were unbelievable, you could get barrreled from behind the rock to Greenmount so me and my friend Kanoa were just surfing all day, every day. Plus I did two Pro Juniors, got 2nd in one and 5th in the other.
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
47 - SM Leo Fioravanti finding some shade in the green room! Photo: Craig Bessant
surphalosophy And you're also just back from what I hear was a sick trip to the Mentawaiis! So how was that then? The trip to the Mentawaiis was the best trip of my life! Almost every day for 10 days was 6-10ft and just firing! I will definitely go back next year!
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
49 - SM Leo Fioravanti floats over a Gold Coast lip! Photo: Craig Bessant
surphalosophy And what about any other plans for travelling? Where around the world do you still want to surf? Well next week I will be in Tahiti for a Quiksilver shoot, hopefully score some good waves and maybe a couple bombs at Teahupoo! And later this year I would like to go to Morocco and Ireland, heard there are some really good waves there!
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
51 - SM Leo Fioravanti flying back home! Photo: Andrea Bianchi
surphalosophy Now you seem to spend more time away than you do back here in Europe! So you're originally from Rome in Italy, what's the surf like back home near where you live there? When there are waves, it gets really fun, even a couple of barrels sometimes! But the problem is we don't get waves often and that is the reason why I travel so much!
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
53 - SM Leo Fioravanti fires up his backhand! Photo: Andrea Papa
surphalosophy
Of course you now have a second home in Hossegor, so what is it about the French surf that keeps drawing you back to live there for much of the summer? Well like I said, we dont'get waves very often back home, so every summer I'd go to Portugal or France to get good waves. When I became sponsored by Quiksilver, I began going to France more often because that's where they're based and so it made sense to live there too, Hossegor's pretty good for waves after all!
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
55 - SM Leo Fioravanti finding some funs waves in Hossegor! Photo: Andrea Papa
surphalosophy Over there then, with miles and miles of beach to choose from, where for you is the best spot, the one that always delivers that solid surf? Yes, here in Hossegor it can get pretty big, especially La Graviere! I've had a couple of really good surfs there on some early mornings that woke me up haha
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
57 - SM Leo looking for some tube time! Photo: Jean-Marc Amoyal
surphalosophy
Now everyone knows the French surf can be pretty heavy, you ever taken any hard wipeouts at say La Graviere or any other gnarly spots? Some of my worst wipeouts around this area are out the back when its like 8ft+, I always try and paddle some waves! This year I surfed a big left out the back with my good friend Maxime Huscenot, we got some good ones too!
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
59 - SM Leo Fioravanti flaring on a French righthander! Photo: Andrea Papa
surphalosophy So you're now back in Hossegor for the summer and of course that means the ASP European Pro Junior season is underway and I guess you're aiming to defend your Championship title. How does it feel then in that position? Does it add extra pressure? Well there has already been two Pro Juniors and I haven't had the results I was looking for. I feel like I'm surfing good but in every heat I haven't been catching the right waves and that's what's caused me the loss both times. There are still two to go and I can still do it! I just can't make any mistakes!
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
61 - SM Leo looking to the re-entry! Photo: Andrea Papa
surphalosophy
The surfing talent in Europe is extremely high now! So how do you rate your surfing peers over there at the moment? Who do you feel are your main contenders? The level this year is so high! Everyone is going big and ripping. Some guys like Vasco Ribeiro, Natxo Gonzales and Mateia Hiquily are the biggest contenders! And which of them would you least want to be drawn up against in a heat and why? My theory is that if you're drawn up against the best guys in the first round or the final it's the same thing because you are going to surf against them anyway so you might aswell try and beat them at the start! haha
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The Fire of Fioravanti!
63 - SM The fire of Fioravanti as focused as ever on hitting high! Photo: Andrea Papa
surphalosophy So I imagine you'd be stoked to be Champion again but what other goals do you have for the rest of this year? Yes I would like to defend my title of course, and my other goals are surfing a lot, getting some big waves around the world and making some heats in the Primes here in Europe. Finally then, where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? Hopefully on the tour! It will take a lot of hard work but if I keep training and surfing a lot I have a chance!
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Euphoria in Ecuador Words: Stu Gaston; Photos: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
65 - SM Diego Mignot makes his mark with his backhand! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway Thanks to the French, European surf ng has well and truly been put on the map this year. After placing second at the ISA World Junior Surf ng Championships in Ecuador, France has helped to re-establish Europe as a serious surfng continent right around the globe! Beating both Australia and the USA, with only Hawaii, the actual home of surfng, bettering them, the Junior French Team is obviously a torrent of talent! So we felt it was time to share in their success, explore their 'euphoria in Ecuador' and hopefully learn a thing or two for the future!
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Euphoria in Ecuador
67 - SM Nelson Cloarec pointing in the right direction! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway
Led by team captain, Nelson Cloarec, France's road to success had a fairly rocky start with eight of their team ending up in the repecharge rounds after just a few days of contest. However, they remained determined and just a day later, still had all but one of the team remaining in the competiton and so were at that point leading the charge to the championship's victory SM - 68
Euphoria in Ecuador
69 - SM Diego Mignot making the most of the long lefthanders! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway In the end, France fnished second with both a gold and silver medal to their merit. It may not have been the victory that was so nearly theirs at one point of the contest, but nonetheless to fnish ahead of such surfng powerhouses as Australia and the USA was a huge achievement!
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Euphoria in Ecuador
71 - SM Leo Etienne leapt straight into action! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway So of course, what do French surfers have that evidently sets them apart from the rest of Europe if not almost all of the rest of the world? Well the answer is simple actually – overseas territories! And surf rich ones at that! Take Under 16 World Champion here, Leo Etienne who lives and surfs in Guadeloupe, an ideal location for honing his apparent surfng skills and prowess!
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Euphoria in Ecuador
73 - SM Nelson Cloarec nailed some solid moves! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway That's not to say that continental France itself can't produce world quality surfers as Hossegor home bred surfer Nelson Cloarec proves, placing an impressive 7 th in the Under 18 boys division.
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Euphoria in Ecuador
75 - SM Titouan Boyer took down the righthanders with ease! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway But looking at the majority of the French team, like Titouan Boyer here from Saint Martin, the ability to surf warm solid waves day in, day out does seem to have a considerable impact on your overall success, with Titouan placing 9 th in the Under 16 boys division in his frst ever contest at this world championships level!
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Euphoria in Ecuador
77 - SM Nomme Mignot made light work of the lefthander! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway But of course, where you come from alone doesn't make you a good surfer. There also has to be a high level of commitment, of determination and of course, of talent. And all of these things are inherent to the Mignots who are quickly growing to become fne, formidable surfng fgures, with Nomme here, who placed equal 13 th , also taking his maiden ASP Pro Junior win during last year.
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Euphoria in Ecuador
79 - SM Diego Mignot made quite an impression in the fun sized surf! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway Spending half the year living and surfng in Mexico must certainly have helped the Mignots hone their surfng talent as Diego demonstrates here, also placing equal 13 th and also winning his maiden ASP Pro Junior last year in Sopelana.
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Euphoria in Ecuador
81 - SM Tim Bisso tops it off and blows out his tail! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway So it would certainly seem that being able to live somewhere half way across the world with more than half decent surf helps these young French surfers to be so good at what they do. After all Tim Bisso here from Guadeloupe, already a National Champion, has just taken the ASP Pro Junior win in Sopelana too!
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Euphoria in Ecuador
83 - SM Diego Mignot dominating the small surf! Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Etienne
surphangaway What can we learn from the French about surfng then? Well it's quite clear that if you're going to take on the world at surfng, then you need to be surf ng around the world! And that is obviously what the French have become extremely good at!
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Tahitian Temptation Words: Stu Gaston; Photos: Jared Sislin & Ben Thouard
85 - SM Tahiti and all its temptations await... Photo: Jared Sislin
HotSpots Tahiti is one of the most beautiful and exotic places in the Pacifc. It is an amazing place to visit for anyone but an incredible one for a surfer. The island really is a paradise, tropical clear water, great beaches and a laid back island lifestyle. So when SURPHANG friend and surf photographer had the chance to head there, we just knew we'd have to ask him to share his experience – and here's what he's chosen to tempt us with!
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Tahitian Temptation
87 - SM Tahiti's top temptation... Photo: Jared Sislin
HotSpots One of Tahiti's greatest waves is of course, Teahupoo. Nicknamed Chopes and pronounced Cho-po, it's a big wave spot that is now host to the annual Billabong Pro Tahiti on the ASP World Tour. It's a monster of a wave, producing incredible barrels, and better still, Tahiti is just full of waves like this.
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Tahitian Temptation
89 - SM A Tahitian blue room... Photo: Jared Sislin
HotSpots It is probably true that on a trip to Tahiti, you will potentially surf more barrels than at any other time in your surfng life. Tahiti literally is a tropical wave factory!
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Tahitian Temptation
91 - SM Looking temptingly like pure crystal... Photo: Jared Sislin
HotSpots
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Tahitian Temptation
93 - SM John John Florence flows through a Tahitian blue room! Photo: Ben Thouard
HotSpots
Tahiti is also a place with tremendous untapped potential, and exploration will be rewarded with some real gems. And you never know but you might just end up sharing a wave with some other well known surfers searching for some of the best waves the world has to offer!
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It's a Grom's Life! Words: Stu Gaston; Photos: Duarte Filipe, Bernard Moulia & Andrea Papa
95 - SM Jacome Correia grabs an sirborne opportunity! Photo: Duarte Filipe
HotShots
There was a time when groms were the little surfers at every break who looked up to the older guys who knew best and suffered hours of grom abuse at their hands. No more! Groms nowadays are out there surfing every hour of daylight pushing themselves and their surfing to the limit! So here are just three groms from across Europe doing just that!
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Jacome Correia
97 - SM Jacome Correia grabbing more time above the lip! Photo: Duarte Filipe
HotShots
Name: Jรกcome Correia Age: 15 Nickname: Aรงoriano and Jazz Years surfing: 8 Where you live: Azores Sponsors: Quiksilver, Vans, POLEN surfboards, Sata Airlines, AZORES Tourism, Fonte Viva, FCS, Gorilla Grip and TukรกTulรก Restaurant&Bar Local break/s: Praia dos Areais de Santa Bรกrbara Favourite surfer? John John Florence and Dane Reynolds Favourite place to surf? Azores Favourite surf movie? Loaded by Marine Layer Favourite surf trick? Barrels Favourite board? 5'7''x17.50x2.1/16 shaped by Nuno "Surdo" Cardoso/POLEN surfboards
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Jacome Correia
99 - SM Jacome Correia kicking out some spray! Photo: Duarte Filipe
HotShots
What first got you into surfing? My dad is also a surfer, surfing is in our genes. When and how did you become sponsored? Tiago "Saca"Pires and his manager ZĂŠ Seabra saw me once surfing here in Azores when I was twelve and they offered me support from Quiksilver, then I started to compete in the mainland and became recognised.
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Jacome Correia
What do you prefer then, free surfing or competitions and why? I prefer free surfing because it is when I can feel free to try different tricks, but I like competitions too. What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? I think my best moment was when I won my first contest, it was the first national contest won by an Azorian surfer.
101 - SM Jacome Correia kicking back! Photo: Duarte Filipe
HotShots
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Jacome Correia
103 - SM Jacome Correia kicking out off his backhand! Photo: Duarte Filipe
HotShots
Who in surfing inspires you most? Tiago "Saca" Pires. When and where was your best surf session? Somewhere in Azores. What's the worst wipeout of your life? I prefer to not remember my worst wipeouts!
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Jacome Correia
105 - SM Jacome Correia going vert! Photo: Duarte Filipe
HotShots
Do you train as well as surf? I try to do some yoga. What's the healthiest thing you ate today? Soups and salads. What do you do when you don't surf? Rest with my family.
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Jacome Correia
107 - SM Jacome Correia looking to the solid surfing career ahead of him! Photo: Duarte Filipe
HotShots
What's your goal for the next year? Improve my surf as much as I can to go further in competitions. And what about the future? Go on some good surf trips and attack the WQS.
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Hugo Moulia
109 - SM Hugo Moulia making a backhand bottom turn! Photo: Bernard Moulia
HotShots
Name: Hugo Moulia Age: 13 Nickname: Yug Years surfing: 11 Where you live: Seignosse Sponsors: None yet Local break/s: Seignosse/Hossegor Favourite surfer? Kolohe Andino Favourite place to surf? Trestles Favourite surf movie? Lost Atlas Favourite surf trick? Air Favourite board? 5�11 17/2
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Hugo Moulia
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Hugo Moulia moving into another bottom turn! Photo: Bernard Moulia
HotShots What first got you into surfing? My father When and how did you become sponsored? I have no sponsors as yet
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Hugo Moulia
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Hugo Moulia releases those fins! Photo: Bernard Moulia
HotShots What do you pefer then, free surfing or competitions and why? I prefer competitions, because that's when I am more focused What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? My first air!
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Hugo Moulia
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Hugo Moulia moving that tail out! Photo: Bernard Moulia
HotShots Who in surfing inspires you most? My father Do you train as well as surf? Yes
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Hugo Moulia
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Hugo Moulia with some more fin release! Photo: Bernard Moulia
HotShots When and where was your best surf session? Trestles
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Hugo Moulia
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Hugo Moulia makes for some tube time! Photo: Bernard Moulia
HotShots What's your goal for the next year? To up my game, and become sponsored! And what about the future? I would like to fulfil my dream and become an actor!
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Edoardo Papa
121 - SM Edoardo Papa preparing to launch off the lip! Photo: Andrea Papa
HotShots
Name: Edoardo Papa Age: 12 Years surfing: 4 Where you live: Pescara, Italy Sponsors: Billabong, Vans, Superbrand, Creature of Leisure, Sexwax, Surfing Sports Pescara Local break/s: Well my local, Pescara rarely gets waves unfortunately Favourite surfer? John John Florence Favourite place to surf? Lanzarote – Isquierda, La Santa and Derecha, Caleta de Caballo Favourite surf movie? Mavericks Favourite surf trick? Tuberiding and power carves Favourite board? Superbrand Answer 5'1 What got you into surfing? It just gives me such an incredible feeling, a mix of sheer pleasure and the desire to challenge and push myself against the power of the waves
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Edoardo Papa
123 - SM Edoardo Papa grabbing some air time! Photo: Andrea Papa
HotShots
When and how did you become sponsored? It was in 2011 when I was in Fuerteventura surfing the North Shore waves and a Billabong manager noticed me. It was actually right there in the water! He asked me who I was and where I came from because at the beginning he thought I was American! Since that chance meeting out in the waves, my Billabong Europe sponsorship began. Then in 2012 while I was surfing in Hossegor I met Manu Portet, Vans Europe Team Manager, who suggested watching me for a year to follow my progress. A year later, I officially got into the Vans Team and at the same time Nuno Matta of Superbrand, following the advice of Didier Piter, welcomed me onto the Superbrand Europe Team. Recently Hervè Lacastaigneratte from Creature of Leisure Europe started to support me with accessories. I'm very happy to have all these competent and helpful people by my side! What do you prefer then, free surfing or competitions and why? I prefer competitions because I like the challenge to push myself to do my best
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Edoardo Papa
125 - SM Edoardo Papa executing some pretty perfect backhand surfing! Photo: Andrea Papa
HotShots What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? When I was surfing in Lanzarote with pro surfer Jose Maria Cabrera in this epic day and I received a lot of praise from him. The same day he and other local surfers nicknamed me "Makina" because of the way I surfed and faced the waves earlier that day Who in surfing inspires you most? John John Florence and Mike Fanning
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Edoardo Papa
127 - SM Edoardo Papa carving! Photo: Andrea Papa
HotShots
When and where was your best surf session? In Lanzarote last December at La Santa. The waves were pumping, 8-10ft, so good! What's the worst wipeout of your life? In Lacanau this big wave closed out on me and in the wipeout I was dragged down to the bottom and I hit my back really hard. I was held under for a while and I couldn't move. At the end, fortunately I managed to get out and recover, so everything was all right!
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Edoardo Papa
129 - SM Edoardo Papa on a punchy righthander! Photo: Andrea Papa
HotShots
Do you train as well as surf? Other than when I get to practice my surfing in France, Portugal or Canary Islands, as there's no waves at my local in Pescara, I practice with the Carver surfskate. My father built a wave made of wood to simulate the surfing movements (Wooden Wave). I also go to the pool to swim and exercise my breath resistance and when I can, I have fun with SUP and windsurfing! What's the healthiest thing you ate today? My mum's home made cakes! What do you do when you don't surf? I study, go skating and play on the Xbox a bit
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Edoardo Papa
131 - SM Edoardo Papa putting his backhand into action! Photo: Andrea Papa
HotShots
What's your goal for the next year? Take part in grom's competitions in France, Portugal and maybe the ISA European championship. I also want to have the chance to surf in Hawaii! And what about the future? Try to improve my surfing style and come up with some new manoeuvres. When I'm 17/18, I would like to win the ASP JUNIOR to then compete with the top surfers.
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The The Wave Wave of of Chang Chang Words: Stu Gaston; Photos: Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
133 - SM Bringing waves inland – the wave of change in landlocked South Gloucestershire! Photo: Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
TheGoss For centuries, Man has always tried to improve on Nature – sometimes successfully and sometimes not. For surfers all across the globe, the ultimate question is can Man create a machine that gives the same feeling as riding a natural wave? Well with wave pools and Wavegardens now a reality, it could be very soon that surfers everywhere can find out for themselves. In just a year, the UK will see one of two Wavegardens in the country built inland near Bristol allowing any land-locked or wave-starved surfer hours of wave riding fun!
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The The Wave Wave of of Chang Chang
135 - SM The original Wave Garden could soon be coming to a field near you! Photo: @Surf_Photo, Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
TheGoss
Just over a month ago, The Wave team were granted planning approval to build a Wavegarden facility just to the north of Bristol city in South Gloucestershire, utilising the technology of the test Wavegarden facility built in North Spain.
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The The Wave Wave of of Chang Chang
137 - SM One landlocked surfer leading the wave of change! Photo: Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
TheGoss
The Wave Team, led by Nick Hounsfield, have worked endlessly over the past few years to put forward their plans for this project that will ultimately bring surfing inland and make waves of change for all!
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The The Wave Wave of of Chang Chang
139 - SM The Wave Garden boasts not one, but two perfectly shaped waves! Photo: @Surf_Photo, Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
TheGoss Wavegarden is the wave technology that creates the world's longest waves, ideal conditions for surfing, as well as a broadly appealing range of other wave sports. Early testing and professional feedback show Wavegarden to be the closest thing to an ocean break.
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The The Wave Wave of of Chang Chang
141 - SM Harry Timson takes to the left while Ben Skinner scores a right! Photo: @Surf_Photo, Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
TheGoss Wavegarden generates perfectly formed tubing waves that peel for more than 220 m without losing power or shape. It is the longest artificial surfing wave in existence, and the wave quality, shape, and speed, are suitable for the highest levels of performance surfing. Every minute two identical waves break simultaneously left and right with barreling point break type rides up to 20 seconds long. Once the waves reach the bay area, the left and right hand waves transform into smooth rolling whitewater waves; perfect for children, longboarding and surf lessons.
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The The Wave Wave of of Chang Chang
143 - SM Harry Timson taking time to sample the wave of change! Photo: @Surf_Photo, Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
TheGoss Wavegarden, industry leader in the design and manufacture of wave generation systems, has a full-sized demo centre in Northern Spain which is used for fine-tuning, testing and as a showroom – a handful of British surfers have been lucky enough to test the Wavegarden, including Wave ambassador, Alan Stokes and frequently SURPHANG featured, top British Champion junior surfer, Harry Timson whose first impression of the experience was, “I thought it would be more like a Flowrider, where it’s not exactly like surfing but it’s so much like a real wave, it’s incredible!”
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The The Wave Wave of of Chang Chang
145 - SM The Wave UK's very own ambassador, Alan Stokes tries it out for himself! Photo: @Surf_Photo, Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
TheGoss Meanwhile, The Wave ambassador, Alan Stokes had to say, “I’m super excited to see these projects happen here in the UK. I think it will be great for up and coming talent. It's a safe and controllable environment which means people that maybe haven’t had the opportunity to try surfing now can … that alone is super rad.”
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147 - SM A Wave Garden coming to a field near you very soon! Photo: Lacey Hickey, Courtesy of Nick Hounsfield
TheGoss
Certainly, The Wave bodes for some exciting times in British surfing and rest assued, we at SURPHANG will be there every step of the way to share in what will be the future of surfing, the wave of change!
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Charly Quivront catches up on some air time! Photo: Stephane Becret
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Pedro Coelho punting at Guincho! Photo: Ines Mendes Leal
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Mateia Higuily making the most of some solid Teahupoo tube time! Photo: Oliver Emsallem
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Leo Fioravanti having fun down under! Photo: Craig Bessant
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Jacome Correia keeping his backhand polished! Photo: Duarte Filipe
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Surphang Magazine
159 - SM Jack Freestone finding some French tube time! Photo: Stu Gaston
NextIssue So there it is, another issue hot off the press! And talking of hot, this summer's been a scorcher so far! With talk of the hottest waters off the UK in years, you could almost be tempted to stay at home... if there were waves too of course! Failing that, we can usually rely on good old France to deliver some summer surf so that's where we heading in a week's time for hopefully more of this... Yes that's Jack Freestone enjoying some solid tube time at Lacanau where he and a whole host of surfing talent will be returning next week and so we will have the trusty lens ready to capture all the action! Until then, enjoy the summer and keep SURPHANG!
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Thanks for reading the Thirty First issue of
Surphang Magazine
Under the sea.... Tahiti looks pretty tempting there too! Photo: Jared Sislin