Surfers showed this summer that their discipline “is an Olympic sport with real athletes,” rejoiced gold medalist Kauli Vaast, in an interview with AFP on the sidelines of the champions’ parade on the Champs-Élysées.
He was crowned at home, on the Teahupo’o wave. Kauli Vaast, 22, now wants to qualify for the Championship tour, which brings together the 32 best in the world. Having performed well on the Polynesian wave, he must to do so progress in the other “spots” of the world circuit with very different characteristics. On the sidelines of the champions’ parade on the Champs-Elysées, the young man of Caledonian origin, through his mother, gave an interview to Agence France Presse.
AFP : How is things going after the Olympic Games?
Kauli Vaast : Incredibly good. It’s been a hell of a marathon since the final, I’m continuing. But it’s only great experiences, new encounters, crazy activities and events. Finishing the Games with a great parade and an awarding of the Legion of Honor [samedi 14 septembre]it was incredible.
Winning the title in Tahiti, was it a double consecration?
KV: It’s a dream come true. I had a lot of fun and doing it at home motivated me. It gives confidence, to be in front of my family, my friends, in front of all of Tahiti. To be on the first step of the podium, with the French flag, Polynesia in my heart, it was incredible.
We saw a lot of Jeremy Flores, the coach of the French team, in the water during the games. How important was it?
KV: Jérémy has been there all the time, since the beginning of my career. We have a very strong relationship, he’s like my big brother. I followed him everywhere, like a little remora, since I was very young. I was a sponge, I soaked up his experience. He shared it with love and that’s why we are so close today. I owe him everything. He was there when I qualified for the Games, during training and until the final.
Now an Olympic discipline, could surfing gain momentum in France?
KV: Surfing, in France, is considered a bit of a leisure activity. But since the Tokyo Games, we have shown that it is an Olympic sport, with real athletes. And I think that this victory will do good to this community of surfers, by showing that we have beautiful waves in France, in Polynesia. I hope that it will motivate all these young people, these hopefuls of French surfing who are arriving and who are very strong.
Surfing still has a very masculine image. Can it become more feminine?
KV: Honestly, in recent years, girls have reached an incredible level. And it’s beautiful to see. They are capable of doing incredible things that boys are not always capable of doing. So I hope that it will help all these women to want to perform, to assert themselves and to show that they are present in the world of board sports, and especially in surfing.
Are there any good spots for surfing in France?
KV: The Seine has good waves! [rires]. Of course, there are crazy waves. In the South-West, in Marseille, in Brittany. There are a lot of spots that are great, that allow us to express ourselves and then perform abroad. Why not reach the world elite?
Next up is qualifying for the Championship Tour (the elite surfing circuit)?
KV: My main goal is to qualify for the world elite. To be among the 32 best surfers in the world. This summer, I focused first on my qualification. Unfortunately, I haven’t had any good results yet. There are two events left this year. I will put all the chances on my side and we will see.
