Offshore on a Reunion reef
Own style invert
Bad,bad left handed...What´s up folks, today who crosses oceans to get here on Liquide is Yoan Florantin, 21, riding for Sniper bodyboards, coming from an tiny island on the Indian Ocean, a place which is "a perfect and amazing place to live and surf and that mostly all year long which is great , we've got so many good waves , sunshine, hot water, and so many tricky coral reef breaks where it's easy to improve."
Wondering how it´s bodyboarding situation around the globe, we asked our guest how the sport is in France and he answered that, like most countries, bodyboarding is much less popular than surfing "which of course means less financial business,and media interest ,therefore less recognition as well". Besides that, he feels proud of being a french bodyboarder and very thankful for the fact the sport has given him very good opportunities "to travel around the world, to meet fantastic people and share with them so many great experiences indeed!"
-Perfect barrel or stunning trick?
-Probably both! I like mixing tube ride and some tricks on the same wave !
Wondering how it´s bodyboarding situation around the globe, we asked our guest how the sport is in France and he answered that, like most countries, bodyboarding is much less popular than surfing "which of course means less financial business,and media interest ,therefore less recognition as well". Besides that, he feels proud of being a french bodyboarder and very thankful for the fact the sport has given him very good opportunities "to travel around the world, to meet fantastic people and share with them so many great experiences indeed!"
-Perfect barrel or stunning trick?
-Probably both! I like mixing tube ride and some tricks on the same wave !
Air forward
Backflip with the nicest background
SpeechlessYoan has become more popular in the bodyboarding media through the Focus project (from which you can see his riding below this interview), a free association created by some friends who want to promote the island, local bodyboarding and local bodyboarders. "it's easier for them to be known and get sponsors, some financial help which they need so much for their career in that sport. Of course I am very happy and proud to be part of that Focus project, they do such a great job! Thanks them for that!", said Florantin.
-Before that, Reunion Island was just known in Brazil by surfing spots. Can you tell us more about the spots bodyboarders like riding?
-The spot of Saint Leu on the west coast of the island is already famous from most riders around the world, but Focus Prod DVD also gives the proof that we have quite a few other great spots on our island which are not as crowded and just perfect to surf as well.
Another curious fact about daily life of the local riders is that sharks can be seen all over the place and they are not able to surf wherever they want. We then asked Yoan how does it feel to surf spots with such harzards. "Reunion Island is in the Indian Ocean, so of course we have sharks here! But it's the same problem in Australia, or South Africa, and so many other places, so we have to be careful and respect some rules, like for instance, no surfing after strong rain, when the ocean gets dirty after overflowing of rivers. It's also better not to surf too late or too early in the day. On our island, only 1/3 of the coast is surfable, the rest is too wild and considered too dangerous. Most of our best surfing spots are on the West and Southern coasts where we have sandy beach, lagoon and reefs, while the East coast is considered wilder and more dangerous, mainly because of sharks... Still, there are a few crazy local riders who are always ready for surfing those dangerous spots whenever the wave sounds perfect..." , relates Florantin.
-Before that, Reunion Island was just known in Brazil by surfing spots. Can you tell us more about the spots bodyboarders like riding?
-The spot of Saint Leu on the west coast of the island is already famous from most riders around the world, but Focus Prod DVD also gives the proof that we have quite a few other great spots on our island which are not as crowded and just perfect to surf as well.
Another curious fact about daily life of the local riders is that sharks can be seen all over the place and they are not able to surf wherever they want. We then asked Yoan how does it feel to surf spots with such harzards. "Reunion Island is in the Indian Ocean, so of course we have sharks here! But it's the same problem in Australia, or South Africa, and so many other places, so we have to be careful and respect some rules, like for instance, no surfing after strong rain, when the ocean gets dirty after overflowing of rivers. It's also better not to surf too late or too early in the day. On our island, only 1/3 of the coast is surfable, the rest is too wild and considered too dangerous. Most of our best surfing spots are on the West and Southern coasts where we have sandy beach, lagoon and reefs, while the East coast is considered wilder and more dangerous, mainly because of sharks... Still, there are a few crazy local riders who are always ready for surfing those dangerous spots whenever the wave sounds perfect..." , relates Florantin.
Secret lineup on the south coast of the island
Another one-Epic arse or massive wave?
-Here, on Reunion Island, we don't have really massive waves except during cyclonic swells once or twice a year, so I would rather say epic arse, because our spots are more adapted to make combo tricks than massive riding waves.
Travel issue.. We wanted to know from Yoan if he already knew South America and if he had traveled to some place he would ever remember. "I have never surfed in south America, eventhough I would love to but it's quite far and so expensive to go there from Reunion Island.. Still, I heard about a few crazy spots like El gringo in Chile which handles the IBA contest each year! And more recently some good wedges in Peru. Of course, I would love surfing overthere, and I hope one day that dream will come true.... ".
-Here, on Reunion Island, we don't have really massive waves except during cyclonic swells once or twice a year, so I would rather say epic arse, because our spots are more adapted to make combo tricks than massive riding waves.
Travel issue.. We wanted to know from Yoan if he already knew South America and if he had traveled to some place he would ever remember. "I have never surfed in south America, eventhough I would love to but it's quite far and so expensive to go there from Reunion Island.. Still, I heard about a few crazy spots like El gringo in Chile which handles the IBA contest each year! And more recently some good wedges in Peru. Of course, I would love surfing overthere, and I hope one day that dream will come true.... ".
Taking off
One of the really crappy waves around the island
Hellooow pidgeon-We would like have your opinion about brazilian bodyboarders.
-I think Brazilian bodyboarders are amazing! I noticed they were the best technical riders in small waves during the European IBA contest this year! Eder Luciano, Lucas Nogueira, Uri Valadao, Flavio Rodriguez... etc. They're so competitive, and have a spectacular style! We can really see those guys are really fond of their sport! They seem to give their maximum everytime!
We also wondered whom he is used to surf with on his sessions, and not surprisingly "people like Amaury Laverhne who is in the top 10 , Laury Grenier, Charly Chapelet , Raphael Rajerinera (they all have a sequence in Focus) and so many others who are so good riders, it surely gives you some real motivation to give your best on the wave. There're so many high level riders on Reunion Island! We also have a new generation who are pushing fast as well, some of those kids are just amazing, one of them is only 13 years old, Clement Lodheo! He's the French champion of his category this year, and maybe he´s more advanced than PLC at the same age. Just don't forget his name guys, because you might soon hear about him..." , he says.
We also asked Yoan how does he see the sport within a few years and he said "with jetski, everything seems to be possible! In ten years time, it might be faster, bigger, and higher! As far as I am concerned I have never tested tow but I hope my turn will come soon... Now in future, I honestly hope bodyboarding will just become more and more popular and have a better impact in the world of sport...".
"Thanks Liquide for making this view! And thanks to Sniper, my sponsor for their great help.I wish some good waves to all Brazilian bodyboarders! And if one day they feel like visiting our island, just give a call..."
We thank you Yoan.
The pics that illustrated this interview were given by the rider and those who have "David Fever" on them were given by the photographer for Spongercity and our friend, Davo.
-I think Brazilian bodyboarders are amazing! I noticed they were the best technical riders in small waves during the European IBA contest this year! Eder Luciano, Lucas Nogueira, Uri Valadao, Flavio Rodriguez... etc. They're so competitive, and have a spectacular style! We can really see those guys are really fond of their sport! They seem to give their maximum everytime!
We also wondered whom he is used to surf with on his sessions, and not surprisingly "people like Amaury Laverhne who is in the top 10 , Laury Grenier, Charly Chapelet , Raphael Rajerinera (they all have a sequence in Focus) and so many others who are so good riders, it surely gives you some real motivation to give your best on the wave. There're so many high level riders on Reunion Island! We also have a new generation who are pushing fast as well, some of those kids are just amazing, one of them is only 13 years old, Clement Lodheo! He's the French champion of his category this year, and maybe he´s more advanced than PLC at the same age. Just don't forget his name guys, because you might soon hear about him..." , he says.
We also asked Yoan how does he see the sport within a few years and he said "with jetski, everything seems to be possible! In ten years time, it might be faster, bigger, and higher! As far as I am concerned I have never tested tow but I hope my turn will come soon... Now in future, I honestly hope bodyboarding will just become more and more popular and have a better impact in the world of sport...".
"Thanks Liquide for making this view! And thanks to Sniper, my sponsor for their great help.I wish some good waves to all Brazilian bodyboarders! And if one day they feel like visiting our island, just give a call..."
We thank you Yoan.
The pics that illustrated this interview were given by the rider and those who have "David Fever" on them were given by the photographer for Spongercity and our friend, Davo.
FOCUSprod_HS_Yoan Florantin from focusbodyboard on Vimeo.
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