The Global Paddling Community

Interview with Caroline Angibaud (France), 8 Times Waveski World Champion.

This interview was originally produced for the Portuguese Playak partner site  'kayaksurf.net'.

• Name: Caroline Angibaud
• Age: 26
• Address: Seignosse France
• Occupation: Surfing and waveskiing teacher
• Paddling since: 1996
• Gear: Rotomod Waveski
• Sponsors: Roxy, Rotomod
• Sportive achievements: 8 times World Champion
• Favorite break: Tanchet, Hossegor (France)
• Personal website: www.mathieubabarit.com / www.octopusglisse.com / www.awwp.org

What’s your opinion about the Worlds in Australia?
That was a great event with big organization, we had good waves. The only negative thing was in the women draw in the semi final, we had to surf with all girls who were also in the last worlds final (Coralie, Lisa and Melissa), that was a hard heat with no recap. I was very confident during heats but during the final we couldn't hear the scores so I didn't know my final place... Then I was very happy! But also disappointed for Mathieu because he surfed very well in the semis and in the final he had a great score but had to wait too long for the second good score...

And the Reunion contest?
We had very good swell and could show the best riders in the best waves. That was really impressive to watch guys in big waves. For the women event, the level was also very high and all girls trying to do their best in the powerful wave of St Pierre.

How do you see the evolution of waveskiing?
It is motivating to watch new young riders as Zoe Schott or guys like Virgile Humbert and Arthur Schott. They all surf very well and push new moves. In my opinion, waveski will develop with quality events, with good riders and good waves! It's also great to see how new countries such as Portugal are developing wave skiing at a high pace!

What is waveskiing like in France?
We have a lot of young riders all over the Atlantic coast and in the French island (Reunion, Guadeloupe...) and some in Mediterranean Sea also. In French contests, a lot of cadets and juniors succeed into reaching finals in open division. The future of the sport will kick out regular riders...

Why don't we see more girls in the kayaksurf and waveski scenes?
I think we don't show a good image of the sport. We need to sell more “dream” and try to follow the surfing scene instead of the kayaking scene (which is not really glamourous). We also need more waveskis for girls. We need light and well shaped boards.

The 2011 Worlds is in Portugal. Looking forward? 
I'm really happy for Portugal but also really sad because I can't take participate. It will be in the middle of summer season and we have to work with our waveski school. This will be the first Worlds that I won't take part in since 1998, so I will leave my title to somebody else… 2013 is still far away so I don't know... Anyway, I wish you all the best for the event.

Your personal objectives in the sport...
I'd like to develop the World Waveski Tour with the AWWP.

Any final remarks for our readers?
Try with a board not too big! And find an easy beach not too crowed, it's also very important in my opinion to surf stand up surfing, bodyboarding etc to change the way you surf the wave with a waveski. You can also practise and improve in a waveski school off course lo learn basics or to train harder.

Interview: Luis Pedro Abreu