FABIEN DUCEPT / ENGLISH VERSION

FABIEN DUCEPT / EUROPEAN WAVESKI CHAMPION 2010



Name: Fabien DUCEPT
Age: 21
Occupation: student in journalism

Address: Bilbao
Competition records:
French Cadet Champion in 2005,
3d cadet in the brasilian world wave-ski championship 2004,
7th junior in the South African world championship 2007

Paddling experience: 10 years riding
Gear: KS wave-ski, Select Paddle and Neilpride wetsuit

Hi Fabien, congratulations for your victory! First impressions about this great weekend...
It couldn't be better! At the beginning I just wanted to go there to see my friends and my family that I haven 't seen a long time ago... and I wanted to compete of course but I never thought about winning the competition. I was very curious about the level and the mentality of all the new young riders too. At the end all results perfect, the organization was great, people there was very nice with a lots of good vibes. The waves were there, not so big (1,20m) but perfect, and the sun too. And all of that things in a beautiful landscape. Above all, the most crazy for me was to win against Mathieu Babarit, the person who teachs me how to surf since I'm 11 and who takes me to most of the contests I did. I really want to thanks him, it was an incredible moment for both.

Do you have any other paddling experience?
Not really, I like to ride kayak for travelling but I never had the opportunity to practise kayaksurf or riverkayak..

Where do you usually surf?
I always surfed in France, in Les Sables d'Olonne but I came to Spain 3 years ago and then to Basque Country. So I now use to surf in Sopelana or Cantabrie, closed to Bilibao.

Did you make a hard preparation for this comp?
I generally surf all the days if there are some waves but I added a swimming preparation to my surf to strengthen my back and my physical resistance, and I trained some days with Mat Babarit and others french riders. I think I never be so prepared but it's pleasure above all.

What do you think about the evolution of waveski worldwide?
It really exploded these last 3 years. It started to be more serious, more professional maybe, and many young riders rose the level very high, like in French Brittany, Reunion Island, Guadeloupe... The image of our sports has progressed a lot these last years and this is very important if we want to be considered in the extreme sport's scenery, with the sponsors and in the water above all.

And about riders… do you have anyone in special that admires very much?
Of course because I started when I was a child, and children need idols. I really admire Mathieu Babarit. It sounds strange to say that because he's a good friend but I know him since a long time ago and I love his style, his simplicity with people and the passion he has for wave-ski and for teaching it.

How often do you participate in waveski competitions?
My last compete was 3 years ago before that one but I normally used to participate to the french competitions and some international one until I was 18.

Which was the best spot that you surfed around the world?
I think that's Mundaka or Larrabasterra near Bilbao.

And in your country?
La Gachère, closed to Les Sables d'Olonne.

Are you coming till Portugal next year?
I don't think so for the moment because I'm going to live and study one year in Filippines Islands from october to november 2011. I would like to be there, it's always nice to pass by Portugal but it's a very great opportunity for me to can go to Filippines and practise there.

Your favourite web paddling sites are:
I'm sorry, I nearly never surf on the paddling or surf sites, I prefer go surfing in the water and if I'm at home I just play music, read or have a drink!

Let us some suggestions to those who want to start waveskiing…
Always keep cool and enjoy each moment, we are lucky to can catch some waves in front of a sunrise or others beautiful places. Lets take pleasure and have fun above all!

Thanks a lot Fabien! Cool vibe ;)

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