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