With just a couple of days to go until the opening of the 3rd edition of La Reunion Wave Classic, event organiser Steve Palier of Open Ocean Media brings us the build-up to this wave spectacular…
After the success of the past two editions, the extreme windsurfing competition “Reunion Wave Classic” will take place again this year from August 25 to September 5 on the best spots around St Pierre.
This time, the association “Reunion Windsurf” and the local rider Pierre Godet will be in charge of the organization.The company Open Ocean Media, who hosted the previous circuit “Wave Classic Invitational”, will be solely in charge of the communication on this legendary event.
So far, 6 international riders have answered the call to challenge the powerful waves of the Indian Ocean: young Leon Jamaer (21/Germany), Camille Juban (21/Guadeloupe) and Jules Denel (21/France ), Tom Hartmann (31/Autriche), Julien Taboulet (31/France) and Colin Sifferlen (26/New Caledonia). Remains to be confirmed the locals that will join this year, all led by Pierre Godet (voted best local rider in 2010).
10 days of competition, free choice of the spots depending on the conditions, riders judging themselves… Time for extreme and radical moves, under the watchful eye of a video team and a professional photographer who will be there to capture their achievements. The goal is simple: have fun, push the limits of waveriding, providing a real show and promote the Reunion island through the images taken.
While it is working hard around St Pierre for the final preparations of the windsurfing event of the year on La Reunion island, the riders start to pack their boardbags with, for sure, a lot of spare equipment to face the powerful waves and the sharp reef of the island’s south shores.
Most riders will arrive on Wednesday morning at Roland Garros airport, and then move to St Pierre where is located the hotel “Couchers de soleil”, partner and headquarters of the RWC since the beginning of the history.
The three locals selected to participate alongside the champions this year, Steven Pichot, Sylvain Bourlard and Pierre Godet, are ready to welcome the pros once again, and are ready to live another extraordinary adventure. Pierre Godet : “we spent a lot of energy this year in this project with the help of our partners. We are in the starting blocks for another great show! “. Steven Pichot: “My best souvenir of the past editions is the ability of the pros to adapt themselves to the conditions and make the most of it. As for me this year, I will try to approach the contest with less pressure than in the past to make the most of the conditions and the ambiance.” Sylvain Bourlard: “I am very pleased to participate in an event like the “Reunion Wave Classic”. This is my first competition as I am more accustomed to trips. I intend to make the most of it, to have fun and try to challenge myself.”
If the winter does not have shown its best yet in La Reunion with a lack of wind and waves, the forecast seems rather optimistic for the coming days. Event will start on Thursday 25. Keep in touch with the help of our communication tools below. There should be some hot action kicking in pretty quickly!!!
