MATHIEU BABARIT / ENGLISH VERSION

5 WORLD WAVESKI TITLES

THE CHAMPION THAT LIKES TO TEACH SURF

Name:Babarit Mathieu
Age: 32
Address: Hossegor France
Waveski since: 20 years now, I am getting old!!
Sponsors: Rotomod (RTM), Select paddle, Quiksilver Technical division, Worldriders,
Webpage: http://www.mathieubabarit.com/ / http://www.octopusglisse.com/ (my riding school)

Sportive achievements in waveski scene: 5 World titles which 2 in Open division, organising the World Waveski Tour to develop our sport, to do clinics everywhere in the world the push the level in every country and to try to get more young riders!!

Best spots for surfing:

Raiatéa in French Polynesia

Now, about your presence in Portugal. Did you enjoy this experience of being a chief of judges?
It was my first time in Portugal, not in France of course, because I do often during the French comp. That's interesting to see how each country judges differently the same sport. It depends of if they are thinking kayaking or surfing. I really push for the surfing judgement because it's much more spectacular, fast and in the most critic part of the wave so more radical.

How it was to be on this side of the event?

It was fun, but I definitely prefer the other side!! hihhihihihih

What did you think about our National Circuit that involves kayaksurf and waveski together (like you saw in Ribeira D’Ilhas)?

The event is bigger like this, so more impact, but the judgement have to be very different between kayak and waveski. The event was very well organised but, the most important for Portugal, is to do some waveski schools to have some new young riders. If not, the waveski will be nothing in 5 or 10 years.

Best memories from the times you have been in Portugal...

Spent good times with Portuguese riders!! Like in the last session early morning before to back home.

Balance of this last Worlds in Australia...

The event was great, very professional. Caroline won her 8th Women Open titles!!! Amazing! I was quiet mad again me about my final again Rees (Duncan). But this is the sport, that's why I like also the comp...

When can we expect you again in Portugal?

Soon, I hope! Caroline will be also keen of coming to Portugal...

About USA...
A very friendly competition. Bryan did a real good job, thanks to him. Caro and I have done teaching clinics with 6 Americans riders. We missed some good waves to do a real training but we have done the eskimo roll, the duck dive, the technical surfing in small condition and I hope they enjoyed!! We had a very good time in there.

Thanks a lot Matt. We'll wait for you in Portugal!

FULL VERSION WITH PHOTOS & VIDEOS HERE:

http://www.kayaksurf.net/MattBabarit.html

AINHOA TOLOSA INTERVIEW / ENGLISH VERSION

SHORT & QUICK INTERVIEW

Ainhoa Tolosa Inda

WORLD IC CHAMPION 2009

Name: AINHOA TOLOSA INDA
Age: 28
Address: SAN SEBASTIAN
Occupation: SCHOOL SPORT MANAGEMENT, AND SPORT TEACHER
Paddling since: 1992
Gear: KAYAK: MERLYN HP and I Haven´t IC, HELMET: GATH, PADDLE: ROBSON

Sponsors: KIROLGI

Sportive achievements:

Kayaksurf
2º in the European championship 2008 Mundaka,
I went to the world cup final to France 2008

Slalom:
1º spanish championship junior k-1 1999
5º pre- word championship junior k-1 1999 Bratislava
9º European championship junior k-1 1999 Slovenia
I made the absolut world championship 1999 in Spain

Freestyle:
1º spanish championship senior k-1 2001
9º European championship k-1 in Spain 2004
I went to the world championship in Gratz (Austria)

Favourite break: Zurriola (San Sebastian), Zarautz (Gipuzkoa), Hendaya (France), Vieux Bocau (France)
Favourite websites: www.slalomatss.com , www.slalomatss.com/4paddlers, www.kayaksurf.net

Your opinion about the Worlds in Portugal: It was great, the festival was very good made. The waves were a little bit big and strongs, but it was funny. The worth thing was the timetable, because there were a lot a changes and some times I didn´t now what time was me competition. It was crazy.

Your favourite destination for the next Worlds: I don´t now, I think that for me is better USA because is nearest.

Ocean Spirit Festival: It was incredible, the environment was marvellous and the facilities unsurpassable. It was very well.

How do you see the evolution of kayaksurf in the near future? I think that this growing, and that every time there are more people than practise kayak surf

How is kayaksurf in Basque Country? I think that this growing little by little and that the quality of the paddlers are improving but there is still a lot of way for doing. This sport is very new here and a lot a people it doesn,t knows.

Personal objectives in the sport: Go to the world cup final in the 2010 and of course go to the next world championship 2011

Personal thoughts about Portugal: It is very beautiful, I liked very much the whole coast, his cliffs and his beaches and in general the people have been very nice.

Last words for all the girls that wants to do kayaksurf: That encourage to practise the kayak surf because it is very enterteining, funy and healthy and you can know places and very interesting people

Thanks Ainhoa and all the best!

FULL VERSION WITH PHOTOS HERE:

http://www.kayaksurf.net/Ainhoa%20Tolosa.html