DUEMSTUFF BLOG

My 2012 season was completed in beauty. The 2013 season began with more gentle. Indeed, two races have already done: the first two rounds of the french cup, qualifying heats for the World Championships which take place in the United States of America in September.

Entry move

Back loop

Loop

Podium

Rains early this year have greatly swollen the waters of the Rhone, the Saone and the Doubs. Despite freezing temperatures, kayakers are given away to heart’s content on the biggest waves of France. So we went in Beaucaire in the south-eastern with a handful of friends.

The water had already begun to decline, but the Roger’s wave, as it is called, was still in water to be really fun.

The first day we had a beautiful wave vertical all smooth but impossible to take the freestyle boat. As a minimum provision of this kind of situation, we brought a surf kayak and a stand up paddle kindly lent by 2Imagine and ABYS Kayak Shop of Pau.

Jo, surfing on the smooth wave.

Nico, surfer mode

The next day, the water had fallen further, the foam has appeared on the wave, freestyle kayaks come in the dance. The wave is not huge, but there is plenty to enjoy and have fun.

Jo

Jo

Nico

Jo

Nico and Jo

Nico

See you soon on the water.

After the floods earlier this month, it is to the ocean C1 Guys decided to go for what will certainly be their last trip of 2011, but not their last browsing with their buddies from the Team Marmak. The temperature is widely summer, they go out of the closet their shorts, sunglasses, swimsuits and towels for a good weekend at the beach. Appointment is made ​​at Hendaye on the Spanish border. The wave conditions are not exeptional on the first day. No need to wet the holding of navigation. They put on shorts and a teeshirt, take their surfboards and stand up paddle and go.

Nico

In the evening, they found a small cove at the far end of a dead end. They go up camp there. The creek in question is a well known spot for surfers Basque, a “secret spot” as they call it, where kayakers are not welcome.

So be it. They spend the night there. Rising in the dawn, they hope to be able to surf big waves of this famous spot. Unfortunately, at 7:30, the sun is not even there yet, and there is already a dozen of surfer at the peak. Kayak navigation is not imaginable. They leave the camp there and go for a hike along the coast for some beautiful images.

On returning, dismantling of the camp and drive to Biarritz. The session of the day is done on the spot Illbarritz. The waves are huge, there is not one surfer in the water: the session was excellent.

Big waves

Big bounce for Nico

Jo

End of session.

See you soon on the water.

Jo.

As every year, Free Kayak Tour (french freestyle championship) begins with the regional stage. Jo Suc and Nico Fayol have gone in Tabaze Rodeo Vinon sur Verdon, now unavoidable step. The atmosphere was good to date. The former leaders of the French freestyle as Nico Chassing and Xavier Lacroix, like to meet there. This mix of generations on the water gives rise to trade rather sympatic, Trickster or other Switch alongside the latest composite boat in a hole for running the entire directory, old school and new school.

A special contest was held for the older, for boats of more than two meters, contest won handily by Xavier Lacroix, European Champion 2002! Qualifying on Saturday offered a lot of show, with, among others, some latest moves as butterfly or back mac nasty. For Jo and Nico, that’s good, they complete the qualifications for first and second place. The evening will certainly be remembered, thanks to a nice show of a former team member from France.

Jo and Nico, for the show !

Nico

Jo

The following day, up to the final. Painful awakening, the stomach at the bottom of the socks, the hair that grows inside the head … but for everyone the same, everyone was very present at the party! The first splash are good, but the faces remain tense in the idea of ​​three runs and give the best of itself. Nico and Jo are struggling to make their moves, they can’t remain in the roll … Olivier Bret, certainly the new recruit of C1 GUYS, dominated the final in the first two runs with more than 100 points ahead . The third run is coming. In an excess of lucidity, Jo and Nico managed to get a nice run last minute and grab the first two steps of the podium. It should be noted the performance of Xavier Lacroix, who finished fourth, the former is still in it !

Nico

Jo

The next contest will be the Flip Flap Party in May. Meanwhile several destinations are scheduled: the Noguera Pallaresa in Spain, the Cevennes, a few sessions in the ocean … The stories to follow.

See you on the water.

Jo.

Nico

Me  - © 2011 Richard Bord

Me - © 2011 Richard Bord

Nico

Me - © 2011 Richard Bord

Nico and me on the podium

Thanks to Fafa Poueyto and Richard Bord for the pics.

After a well deserved holiday, the new season starts on September, 17th and 18th with Charnay Beach Contest.

From 20 to 26 June 2011 were the World Championships in freestyle kayaking Plattling in Germany. After a year of struggle, I managed to get selected in the France team for the third time in my short career.

Reached Plattling to 10 p.m. on Tuesday 14th, I set up camp on the edge of the wave and I go sailing with the rest of the team of France. Nothing better than a night session after thirteen hour drive to get into the hike! We discover a spot technique but retentive, perfect for large aerial tricks in our greatest happiness. One week of training to develop and show other nations that had to count on the French to do the show.

I finished the World Championships in tenth position. I am a bit disappointed not to have successfully managed my race, but still very happy to have arrived there. I will do my best to be in the France team in years to come. Not only to paddle but also to review all the friends that I made during those few years on the international stage.