Reunion Wave Classic 2011

The best shots of the Reunion Wave Classic 2011 now available!

2011-10-19T22:06:00.002+02:00

As all the reports have been published in the international press, we've decided to upload some of the best shots of the 3rd Reunion Wave Classic on our Picasa Gallery. Check this out!

13mn of TV report dedicated to the RWC event!

2011-10-15T15:08:00.002+02:00

Check that final TV report that has been recently broadcasted on channel "Reunion Premiere" in TV Show "sensation sport". 13mn all about the "Reunion Wave Classic 2011" full of action and riders' interviews! Action images provided by Stef Fournet and Leena Ballack.

Check the final report from Open Ocean Media...

2011-10-08T21:45:00.000+02:00

After all the publications and reports have been finalized by Open Ocean Media, in charge of the communication on this 3rd edition, the media company has published its own article. It is now available on the web, both in english and in french.
Have a look at the 16 pages report featuring all the riders of this incredible event!

English version
French version

Another video by local Armand Daydé...

2011-09-27T16:16:00.000+02:00

Check this out !

Final video now online !!!

2011-09-23T22:41:00.002+02:00

Here it is ! It was worth waiting for it... The final video of the 3rd edition is now online, thanks to Stef Fournet and Leena Ballack who produced and edited this 16mn movie. Seat down, relax, and enjoy !

Our videos images are requested !

2011-09-09T14:06:00.000+02:00

Yes, the video images shot this year by our local team, Stephane Fournet and Leena Ballack strongly interest the CIVIS (community centers) and the IRT (Reunion Island Tourism).
The CIVIS has recovered some rushes of our footage in order to incorporate them into a tourism promotional film. The IRT has adopted the three clips that are currently posted on You Tube in order to show them on their stand during the exhibition Top Resa (tourism trade show) to be held in Paris around mid-September !
Maybe we'll finally see some recent windsurfing action from our events on the screens in the airplanes flying to La Reunion, because the images actually diffused in the promotional film show really old school windsurfing in the local lagoons !

Reunion Wave Classic 2011_Video teaser #2 !

2011-09-06T13:46:00.003+02:00

Some ultimate changes were to make but here's our teaser #2... Stay tuned as our final video is on the way too... Be patient !

Winning team of the 3rd Reunion Wave Classic...

2011-09-06T13:37:00.000+02:00

Happy boys : local captain Steven Pichot, pro riders Colin Sifferlen and Camille Juban compose the winning team of this year ! Congratulations !

Cool shortclip from Leon Jamaer feat. Camille Juban!

2011-09-05T16:53:00.002+02:00

Check out this cool clip edited by Leon Jamaer, featuring Camille Juban in l'Etang Salé on the first days on the island... Nice light and nice action !

Ultimate report in the local newspaper...

2011-09-05T16:44:00.002+02:00

Featuring Leon Jamaer...

Day 10_Reunion Wave Classic 2011_The results !

2011-09-05T16:14:00.005+02:00

It’s yesterday night, during the closing ceremony held in St Pierre at the Longboard Café, that the results of this 3rd edition of “La Reunion Wave Classic 2011” were given. After 7 days of intense wavesailing action, 3 rounds completed with big jumps in nasty mast high waves and pure down the line in clean 10 feet barrels, 10 broken masts & 10 ripped sails, we’re proud to say that this event was another great success !

Best Team :
Steven Pichot/Colin Sifferle/Camille Juban with 23 points
Best pro rider :
Colin Sifferlen
Best local rider :
Pierre Godet
Best move of the event :
Camille Juban with a perfect air 360°
Worst Wipe out winner :
Camille Juban (crash #10 in the wipe outs video)

Some numbers : 8600 photos, 60 hours of video filming, 25 000 visits in 3 weeks on our website, 5600 views in 2 weeks for our 2 videos, 5 TV reports, more than 100 reports on the web, 7 articles in the local newspapers…

Teaser #2 is on the way, as well as a final video. Stay tuned !

Video teaser #1

Video "Worst Wipe outs"

We hope you enjoyed the contest ! Check back in or on our Facebook page for the next videos and see you next year !!!

Last TV report...

2011-09-04T15:25:00.001+02:00

Last TV Report on channel Réunion Première, filmed during the kids clinic on saturday...

2 more reports in the local newspaper JIR

2011-09-04T13:11:00.000+02:00

Day 10_relax before the Prize Giving...

2011-09-04T08:30:00.002+02:00

Day 10_A bit of wind around St Pierre but not good waves in Ravine Blanche. Day off for the riders who have a meeting with local TV Réunion Première at 3pm for interviews. Latest news on our Facebook page.

Come and join us tonight at the Prize Giving of this another epic "Reunion Wave Classic", at Longboard Café @ 7pm tonight in St Pierre !!!

Day 9_Windsurfing lessons in La Saline...

2011-09-03T07:04:00.003+02:00

We have had a super cool morning today, moving to the west side of St Pierre up to La Saline les Bains. There, a group of about 10 local kids were waiting for the riders to share their passion for windsurfing.

The local sailing club, Club Nautique de l'Ouest, and its very welcoming team, provided the windsurfing equipment for the kids and some canoes for the "teachers". A very nice time for all in the beautiful lagoon of La Saline, ideal place to learn the basics of windsurfing. Enjoy some pics here.

Local TV Reunion Premiere took advantage of this clinic to come and capture some images for tonight's report in their newsflash. Another good opportunity for the local channel to make a complete resume of the event which was, once again, very successful. Watch it at around 7pm here in la Reunion.

Tomorrow is gonna be a day "off" for the boys. Maybe it's gonna be the time to enjoy the treasures of La Reunion Island and cruise around before the closing ceremony planned @ 7pm at the Longboard Café in St Pierre.

Remember you can still vote for the "Worst Wipe Out" ! Click here and leave the number of your favourite one in the "comment" section before sunday 5pm.

Day 8_Sifferlen wins the "best jump session" in Ravine Blanche !

2011-09-02T17:06:00.005+02:00

If the conditions were not really good in l’Etang Salé this morning, the RWC crew decided to move quickly to Ravine Blanche. There, it was still very windy with still some good 8 feet sets ! That was a perfect timing for the organization to launch the “Best Jump Session” with a 500 € prize money, in order to ensure another great show before the end of the contest !

Serious conditions for big jumps today in Ravine ©rwc2011/Calvet

It’s from 2pm that the riders started to prepare their gear before entering the arena all together for the Super Session. One goal : launch a maximum of jumps on the liquid walls of Ravine Blanche ! The judges will select one and only one jump, the highest, the most radical and the most technical.

From 2.30pm, that was an explosive show ! If we have had during more than 6 days of intense sailing, more surf oriented action as in the waves of Ravine Blanche as in the waves of l’Etang Salé, this time the riders were sent on the water to offer a festival of big jumps. There, the level was so high that it was comparable to the World Cup’s!

Denel ripped hard this afternoon ! ©rwc2011/Calvet

In these conditions, 30 knots of wind and mast high ramps, that was a tricky battle between Denel and Sifferlen. If Denel scored with huge one handed backloops and perfectly landed double forwards, Sifferlen replied with a late high forward, backloops and air chachoo’s. But he also nailed an awesome dry late double forward ! Young german Jamaer was also on fire today and showed a very good potential with insane tweaked pushloops, pushloop forwards and very high late forwards !

Sifferlen wins with his late double forward ! ©rwc2011/Calvet

These 3 riders were emerging on the spot this afternoon. But finally, after the judges decision to count only ONE jump - the most radical – it’s Neo Caledonian Sifferlen who comes back home with the 500 € prize money offered by local sponsor “Ciel et Terre”, thanks to his huge late double forward.  The end of the day will end with a cool beach cleaning and BBQ party on the beach organized by local association “Reunion Windsurf”. Not much wind forecasted for tomorrow, so time to relax and party !

Jamaer, no fear with 3 pushloop into forward attempts! ©rwc2011/Calvet

Tomorrow, the riders will do a clinic with some kids around La Saline. They will teach the basics of windsurfing with the collaboration of local windsurf club CNO. The afternoon will be devoted to rest or discover the beauties of the Reunion island.

Afters 3 rounds, Steven Pichot’s team is still leading the ranking thanks to Sifferlen’s 3
times victories, and scores a nice 23 points, which is a nice advance ahead of the team of
Sylvain Bourlard (17 points) and Pierre Godet (14 points).
  

Our new video of the “Worst Wipe Outs” is now available ! So now YOU can VOTE for the
best of it, up to sunday 5^th 5pm on our website! 
http://reunionwaveclassic2011.blogspot.com/2011/09/video-vote-for-reunion-wave-classic.html  

Do not forget you can still watch from now the first video teaser here : http://reunionwaveclassic2011.blogspot.com/2011/08/1st-video-teaser.html 

Find some news and photos of the day on our Facebook page, and a few action shots of the day available in the "photos" section of our website. 

Video : vote for the RWC 2011 "Worst wipe out" !!!

2011-09-02T15:32:00.002+02:00

Check this ! This is a video compilation of the best wipe outs we've seen on this 3rd edition of la "Reunion Wave Classic". As we are used to do on this event, we have add numbers on each wipe out.

We now invite you to vote for the best of it by leaving ONLY ONE favorite number right here underneath in the "comment" section of this post, before 5pm sunday 4th. Watch, enjoy, and choose !

The "Best wipe out winner" will then be crowned on sunday night during the closing ceremony at the Longboard café, 7pm.

Day 8_Check point of the day : l'Etang Salé...

2011-09-02T07:50:00.001+02:00

10.00am: decision has been taken this morning to move to l'Etang Salé and see how it goes. If the wind does not come in, then we'll move to Ravine Blanche from around 12.00pm for some hardcore action in strong wind. Stay tuned, as soon as we are in l'Etang Salé we'll keep you updated via our Facebook page.

New article in the local newspaper JIR...

2011-09-02T07:38:00.000+02:00

A new article, featuring Colin Sifferlen. The New Caledonian ripper actually deserves it as he won by 3 times in 3 heats ! Thanks to his victories, his team is actually leading the team ranking

Another TV report on Réunion Première...

2011-09-01T19:25:00.001+02:00

Once again the local TV showed up on the "Reunion Wave Classic" event and came back today for another report and interviews in l'Etang Salé. Check out this clip (french language) shot in low quality (better than nothing !)

Day 7_Another explosive round in Etang Salé !

2011-09-01T17:46:00.002+02:00

A too violent wind and messy waves in Ravine Blanche oriented again the riders on the beach of l’Etang Salé this morning. Once on the spot, a perfect alchimy allowed the organization to launch a new round in technical down the line conditions!

Heat #1 : New Cal’ ripper Sifferlen on fire!

At noon, the wind was blowing at a good 30/35 knots outside in the bay. With 8 to 10 feet hollow waves very technical to ride, the timing had an important part in the sailing today. As he had a perfect timing, an excellent wave choice, very high and smooth aerials perfectly landed in the pocket of the wave, Sifferlen wins ahead of Jules Denel who showed an excellent potential with power turns and a good wave work. Unlucky again, Leon Jamaer rips his sail 10mn before the end of the heat.  


Sifferlen, efficient in style in these down the line conditions ©rwc2011/Calvet

Heat #2 : a locals’ affair.

As the teams were drawn this morning, it was a big surprise to find the 3 local captains in the same heat. With an excellent wave choice, as great wave work and perfectly landed big airs, Pierre Godet took the honours of this heat, showing he has the perfect control in any conditions. Actual leader in the teams ranking, Steven Pichot will then go for it, launching 2 big aerials he unfortunately did not land. He ended in 2nd ahead of Sylvain Bourlard who could not find the best waves in this heat.

Godet proved today he is still the best local ripper ©rwc2011/Calvet

Heat #3 : Taboulet’s revenge. 
Facing the Austrian Tom Hartmann who could not really find the right timing in these conditions, this heat saw a duel between Julien ‘Wesh’ Taboulet and Camille Juban. Already beaten twice by Juban in the first 2 rounds, Wesh wanted to have his revenge this time. From the start, he nails an awesome aerial on a hollow section and will then fight with power style, charging hard on the biggest sets he could find. He wins ahead of Juban who was slightly below his usual level. Do not mess with “Wesh” !

Wesh took his revenge on Juban with big fat aerials ! ©rwc2011/Calvet

4th round cancelled ...
Around 3.30pm, after a small break and some interviews with local TV Réunion Première that was doing a report, the wind was still blowing. Waves were still in the place, up to 8 feet. The organization decided to launch another 4th round but unfortunately, the wind dropped down after 15mn. The heat is cancelled. The organization waited for about 20mn before the wind finally came back, but it was already too late to launch 3 more heats in a row. Over for this 7th day of competition.

 Tomorrow, strong wind is still forecasted. The organization will adapt the program to the conditions, after an early check of the spots. In any case, the riders and locals will meet at 4.30pm in Ravine Blanche for the “beach cleaning” and beach party/BBQ organized by local association “Windsurf Réunion”.

After 3 rounds, Steven Pichot’s team is still leading the ranking thanks to Sifferlen’s 3 times victories, and scores a nice 23 points, which is a nice advance ahead of the team of Sylvain Bourlard (17 points) and Pierre Godet (14 points). But it’s not over yet ! 

Do not forget you can still watch from now the first video teaser here : http://reunionwaveclassic2011.blogspot.com/2011/08/1st-video-teaser.html 

Find some news and photos of the day on our Facebook page, and later in the evening a few action shots of the day available in the "photos" section of our website.

Day 7_Etang Salé or ???

2011-09-01T07:49:00.000+02:00

Day 7_9.50: morning briefing is done. It's really windy again here in St Pierre. The swell is pumping outside and we all move to l'Etang Salé right now to check the spot and see if we can launch a 3rd round.... Let's meet up there in around 30mn. Follow then the news on our FB page !

Why do not we upload all our daily pictures?

2011-08-31T22:38:00.007+02:00

Do not think that our photographer is selfish ;-) ! ©Open Ocean Media

Yes, it's true, we keep the best shots of our photographer for the specialized magazines because that's the way (we think) it is if we want to take advantage of an important coverage worldwide ! ALL our photos are free for those mags.

For sure, we would like to spread our daily pictures through the internet, but if we do that we're not sure to get that much pages and reports in the best mags. For our sponsors, partners and also for the riders, the printed articles in these magazines are very important, sometimes more than the internet feedback.

It was a time when we were used to post online about 20 shots per day with super cool action from the riders. But we have noticed that afterwards, it was difficult to propose the same shots to the magazines 1 month after it's been seen by everybody on the web, even if all our pictures were for free. So we apologize for the fact that we do not upload that much photos this year, as on Facebook as on our blog. For us, this is a way to perpetuate this event in La Reunion.

For your information, the RWC took advantage of a great coverage since the 1st edition (have a look here for the 2010 edition !):

- 115 dedicated pages in the specialized magazines

- 3 magazines covers

- 150 reports on the web

- 25 articles in the local press

- 30mn of TV broadcast

Thanks to this coverage, we can still convince new sponsors and make the event happen again from year to year. So we hope we can still keep it like this ! Thanks for your understanding and watch our 1st video teaser and the next ones (coming soon) to enjoy the riders' actions.

Also, you can check the galleries of local amateur photographers :

Day 6_Big air festival in Etang Salé !

2011-08-31T16:00:00.008+02:00

The riders of “La Reunion Wave Classic” met again in l’Etang Salé this morning as, according to the forecast, this would be the place to ride this day. If around 11am conditions were not that good with closing out big sections and not much wind in the inside, the uprising tide predicted improving conditions later in the day. At around 1pm, +10 feet waves started to set up and the wind came back in, allowing the riders to charge hard during a free session launched right in front of the photographer and the cameraman located on a boat !

Local organizer, Pierre Godet, and the riders decided not to launch any official round today as they all prefered to focus on the images. The aim of this free session was to push the limits of waveriding to the max : pure down the line surfing, working the wave as much as possible before to hit the lip and launch a big air or another sick move on the nasty bowl !

After a 1h warm up, all the sailors hit the water again as they saw the boat setting up in the channel located on the right side of the waves. From this point of view, the photographer and the cameraman had a perfect time to shoot the boys charging hard and ripping on fat sections rising up to 12 feet ! The photographer also jumped into the water to do some watershots.

From there, the show started. The wind kicked in again and the waves started to break in a better way, offering some tight and glassy sections. Even though it was tough to ride as a very good timing was required to hit the lip, the pros and locals went off, tearing screams and applause of the public that gathered on the beach of Etang Salé. The show was definitely firing today with a non-stop festival of big aerials on as beautiful as cruel waves, delivering sometimes some insane wipeouts where nobody got hurt, fortunately.

At around 3.30pm, after a well deserved break, the organization and the riders decided not to launch any official round as they were not sure to complete it due to the late time. But it looks like tomorrow will be another crazy day as the swell forecast predicts bigger waves with a 16 sec period, and still moderate trade winds ! Just need to know if the angle of the wind will send the riders to an even more “massive“ Etang Salé or to a “super hardcore” Ravine Blanche !

Sifferlen was certainly the most impressive rider of the day ! ©rwc2011/Calvet

Great sets coming in l'Etang Salé ©rwc2011/Calvet

Day 6_Looks good around l'Etang Salé !

2011-08-31T08:01:00.001+02:00

Day 6: It looks good at l'Etang Salé, so we are on the way to move there. See you on the spot for another great session!
Follow the rest of the action on our facebook page.

Day 5_ 2 rounds on 2 different spots !

2011-08-30T17:02:00.001+02:00

Incredible day of intense action today for the riders of the 3rd edition of “La Reunion Wave Classic” : 2 official rounds have been completed on 2 different spots ! The forecast was not wrong when announcing bigger waves and stronger wind.

Round 1 – Etang Salé : surf, surf and only surf ! 
That’s on the spot of Etang Salé the riders meet this morning. 15 to 20 knots side offshore wind, 6 to 8 feet perfect barrels, in 15mn, everything was set up and the organization could launch the first heats of this 1st round. 2 best waves count, surf only. Local sailor Steven Pichot, new caledonian Colin Sifferlen and Guadeloupean Camille Juban took the honours on this first round. Pichot with a good wave choice and great turns, Sifferlean with clean airs over the section and Juban with a 360 attempt and a high goyter behind the wave in the last minutes of his heat. Youg german Leon Jamaer did not have luck as he ripped his sail in the middle of his heat. Around 3pm, the 1st round was completed but as the conditions were not really improving, the organization decide to move to Ravine Blanche for another 2nd round in more radical conditions…

L'Etang Salé for perfect down the line action ! ©Open Ocean Media

Round 2 – Ravine Blanche : stronger, radical and extreme ! 
And that was a good choice to move because as the riders arrived on the spot, they could see that it will be another story than riding the cool tubes of Etang Salé ! 30 knots of wind and mast high hollow waves ready to crunch the gear… Wow ! No time to loose. 15mn later, everything was set up again and the first heat was launched at around 4pm. And that was extreme from the start with epic action, extreme and radical show as we like it on the “Reunion Wave Classic” events since its creation ! This time, the riders decided to add one jump to the judgements but still, with 2 best waves to surf to get points. Facing the raging elements in this 2nd round, these are again Sifferlen and Juban who provided a good show with a perfect wave choice and great moves pushed to the max. This time, local sailor Sylvain Bourlard got first in his heat against Steven Pichot who won this morning in Etang Salé. No chance this time for Pierre Godet and Julien Taboulet who both broke their mast from the start as they were again fighting in the same heat !

Ravine Blanche and its radical conditions ! ©Open Ocean Media

Afters these 2 rounds, it’s time to score the points that each riders brought to their respective teams and it’s actually Steven Pichot’s team that leads the team ranking. But it’s not over yet as we expect for tomorrow more extreme conditions around l’Etang Salé with bigger waves ! Stay tuned !

Do not forget you can still watch from now the first video teaser of the third edition in our "videos" section.

Find all the results, some news and photos of the day later on our Facebook page, and a few action shots in the "photos" section of our website.

Day 5_check @ l'Etang Salé...

2011-08-30T07:39:00.000+02:00

We're about to leave St Pierre to move to l'Etang Salé. The infos we have from there are that it's windy and some waves are already breaking. We will be on the spot in about 1h or less.
Then check our facebook page to know what's going on and where we are during the day.

Day 4_"Day off"...

2011-08-29T15:27:00.001+02:00

As predicted by the forecast, the cloud cover was important today on the southern island of la Reunion. It even has rained on St Pierre this morning.

Around 10 am, the riders went to Etang Salé where, according to the 1st informations, there would be sun, some wind and some waves. Unfortunately, the clouds still extended up to this beautiful black sand beach where we also had some rainshowers. Not enough wind to "ride" the waves but enough waves to surf, simply. The riders will agree for a break after three days of intense sailing in the waves of Ravine Blanche.

Lunch was then taken on a beach located a little further in the south, previously unexplored in the previous editions of the “Reunion Wave Classic". The wind was skicking in, but the waves were too small. After a last hope by returning to the spot of Ravine Blanche, the riders finally went back to surf to Etang Salé, just to relax before going back on the water to face the waves and the wind announced tomorrow and especially on Wednesday.

Cool spot ! But too small waves... ©Open Ocean Media

1st video teaser !

2011-08-29T14:10:00.002+02:00

Enjoy our first video teaser produced by Steph Fournet and Leena... We hope you enjoy the first production.

Day 4_Rainy day, but...

2011-08-29T07:42:00.004+02:00

9.45: it's raining this morning in St Pierre ! Not really windy so far but it's sunny around l'Etang Salé. Come back later but this time on our Facebook page for updated news, around 11. ;-)
The 1st video trailer is on the way and will be put online today. Stay tuned!

Friday Sept 2nd, Beach cleaning & Beach Party !

2011-08-28T18:41:00.003+02:00

The association Reunion Windsurf organizes a beach cleaning in Ravine Blanche next friday September 2nd, from 4.30pm. Join the Facebook page of the event to confirm if you wanna join or not in order to know how many people will then take part to the planned BBQ and meal (10 €/pers).

Steven Pichot and his band will be there again to bring the beach on fire, playing live as they did on the past editions of the RWC !

The ocean does not belong to us, we belong to the ocean. We need to respect it. So we hope to see you numerous for help !

A first report on local TV...

2011-08-28T17:55:00.002+02:00

That was broadcasted on Télé Kréol 2 days ago in the evening...

Another report in the local press...

2011-08-28T17:23:00.000+02:00

Seen in today's local newspaper "Le Quotidien"...

Day 3_Another try in Ravine Blanche !

2011-08-28T16:29:00.001+02:00

It started pretty good today in Ravine Blanche where the wind and waves were finally much more better than yesterday : perfect mast high glassy barrels with a moderate side shore wind ! So it did not took long to the riders to jump into the water to enjoy these top conditions for a short warm up before a first possible start planned at 1pm.  

Unfortunately, the wind decided to play with the nerves of the sailors as it dropped down right after the 2nd call at around 2pm. Not enough to launch a first official round today, so the organization decided to send the boys on the water again in the afternoon for another free session, also because there was a massive crowd that gathered on the beach to watch the show on this sunday.

Some riders could take the best out of these tricky conditions as there were still some nice sets to score. A good timing was required not to break any gear and this is what Jules Denel (ripped sail and broken mast) and local rider Sylvain Bourlard (destroyed sail) has learned today ! Pierre Godet and Steven Pichot went out again at the end of the the afternoon to score some more sets despite a very light wind.  

Well, that was not the best day since the start of the event so far, but the forecast is still looking really good from tuesday with big swell and strong wind. No need to stress about tomorrow so, as this monday should see another day without much wind.  

Find some news and photos of the day on our Facebook page, and few action shots in the "photos" section of our website.

The local beach of Ravine today... ©rwc2011/Calvet

Sylvain Bourlard, before he destroyed his sail ! ©rwc2011/Calvet

Day 3_Looks like it's gonna be another day in Ravine Blanche...

2011-08-28T07:49:00.000+02:00

9h51 : Briefing is on the way but it looks like the action happen in Ravine Blanche again today. Stay tuned via our facebook page from now on to know what's going on...

Day 2_Juban wins the Super Session !

2011-08-27T17:09:00.001+02:00

If the wind and waves were not there this morning of the third edition of the “Reunion Wave Classic”, it was an opportunity for the riders to go and visit the local market of St Pierre. Total immersion in the crowd of the population of the island has allowed them to discover the wealth of local produces and local crafts. A good opportunity to make images that will appear in the next video to come soon.  

Around noon, everyone gathered on the famous spot of Ravine Blanche. From there, the riders took their time for lunch because the wind was too light. At about 1pm, the waves rise up while the trade winds started to get stronger. Local organizer Pierre Godet decided to send everyone on the water to ensure a good show for a large public that started to gather on the beach.  

At 2.30pm, waves are sometimes reaching over 12 feet. The wind is very irregular, side shore, but there is still a possibility to exploit the conditions. A "1h super session" is so improvised. Riders will be judged on overall impression by other local riders. We keep the best 3. The public is in the place, as the music, the show can start!  

While this afternoon, the wind rather favored light weights, a good knowledge of the local spot and a solid experience in the waves were required to make the most of these already hardcore conditions, with gusty wind and mushy waves. Camille Juban provided a great show. He perfectly knows the spot as he was there on the two previous editions. He has an amazing surf style and a super timing. With a huge Air 360 landed on the tube, the young Guadeloupean ripper wins the super session! With his powerful style, deep bottoms and fat rollers always launched in the critical section of the biggest sets of the day, Julien Taboulet finished a close second. The good surprise comes from Jules Denel ! Jules showed today a remarkable potential with a very easy adaptation to this difficult and technical spot. With some solid rides and a huge aerial slammed on a large section, he finished third.  

Not yet any official round on this ‘Reunion Wave Classic’, but still some beautiful images captured in order to show the potential of the local spots and the public's enthusiasm for this type of spectacular local event!  If tomorrow Sunday, the wind is supposed to be lighter, the best is yet to come for the next days : a huge swell with a good period and with strong wind !

Day 2_No rush...

2011-08-27T08:12:00.001+02:00

It's 10.15 and there is not much wind right now in St Pierre. A bit of waves still in Ravine Blanche but no need to hurry this morning as the forecast is not as good.
This is a perfect timing to go and cruise with the boys on the typical local market of St Pierre. The video staff will make some lifestyle images to be included in the upcoming videos. Stay connected then to our facebook page around 1pm to know what we do and where we are...

First reports in the local newspapers...

2011-08-26T18:39:00.000+02:00

Here are the first reports (french) we've had in the local newspapers. We'll keep you updated with that too all along the contest. Just click to enlarge the articles...

Day 1_Warm up in Ravine Blanche for local Tv’s...

2011-08-26T17:13:00.010+02:00

After an excellent opening party last night at the Longboard Café in St Pierre where the teams were drawn, the organization and the riders met today at noon in Ravine Blanche for a first possible round.   Conditions were looking good with moderate wind and good waves up to 2.50m or more in the biggest sets.

The sailors jumped into the water for a cool warm up in front of the cameramen of local TV channels that will broadcast two reports in their 7pm newscasts.  The riders were able to take the temperature of the spot and score some good waves.

A first time for Jules Denel who discovers the island of La Reunion: "I'm happy to be here. I could surf yesterday, windsurf today, it's ideal to get into the mood before facing some serious stuff next week. I am also pleased to partner with Julien Taboulet because he is my "mentor" as he took me on my early wave stages of the World Cup. Teams seem pretty balanced, but I think we should keep an eye on Steven’s because Camille Juban and Colin Sifferlen are very strong here, they both rip and they already know the spot!".  

Also for young German Leon Jamaer, facing the waves of the Reunion Island is a premiere. He has already tasted the power of the local elements as he lost his sail after he broke his mast, on the day of his arrival. However, he remains positive : "Being in the team of Pierre Godet is motivating. He is apparently the best local so he has good advices. The spots seems to be a little dangerous with current, sea urchins, jellyfishes and sharks, but the waves are so beautiful that I think it's worth taking a few risks!".

Unfortunately for the riders and the public, the sky got cloudy by mid-afternoon. The wind dropped and the waves too. End of the show. See you tomorrow, certainly in Ravine Blanche because the conditions still appear favorable for another afternoon of windsurfing before it becomes calm on the south shores of the island for the weekend.

The calm before the storm? The forecast announces the return of strong winds and big waves from Monday. Perfect timing for the 3rd edition of this Reunion Wave Classic!

Ravine Blanche today...

2011-08-26T08:44:00.001+02:00

We'll be at Ravine Blanche today around 12am... Looks like there are wind and waves. Good for a warm up ! See you there !

No live ticker but find some news on our facebook page. Full resume of the day later tonight, with some pics...

Teams were drawn, action is now ready to start in La Reunion !

2011-08-26T08:38:00.002+02:00

Here are underneath the results of the teams drawn last night during the opening ceremony, attended by sponsors and partners:   

Team 1  : Pierre Godet  - Tom Hartmann  - Leon Jamaer  
Team 2  : Steven Pichot  - Colin Sifferlen  - Camille Juban  
Team 3 :  Sylvain Bourlard  - Jules Denel  - Julien Taboulet  

The competition officially begins today, Friday. The weather forecast seems to indicate a decrease of the wind with a return to the east, but there is something to do around Ravine Blanche before the wind drops down completely this weekend. In any case, the organizer Pierre Godet is confident as there is an optimal forecast for the next week, with big waves and strong winds!   

As the competition lasts 10 days, no doubt that this third edition of the « Reunion Wave Classic » will see again some epic and radical action! Stay tuned !

Today's news...

2011-08-25T09:41:00.001+02:00

No "live ticker" this year on the "Reunion Wave Classic" but you can still be informed about what's going on by having a look from time to time at our Facebook page. This will be updated as much as possible so you know where we are and what we do from friday morning, as the competition starts.

11.45 news : not much wind right now in St Pierre but some waves are peeling in Etang Salé. Free session for all today so some of the boys are out for a surf session in Etang Salé. Tom and Wesh are tuning their equipment and sticking their sails. Still some things to do for the organization before tonight's Opening Ceremony @ 7pm at the Longboard Café in St Pierre. So see you later this evening !

A perfect landing...

2011-08-24T18:59:00.004+02:00

This could be a good post title after a good jumps session, but we're not talking about jumps actually ! Just that some of the riders landed in good conditions at around 9am this morning at Roland Garros airport. Pierre Godet, the local organizer, was there with some locals to welcome the Taboulet family, Camille Juban and Jules Denel, as well as myself and the photographer Gilles Calvet.

As we were on the way to St Pierre, we could see that there was some swell outside on the reefs of St Leu and la Pointe au Sel. Right after a quick lunch and all bagages left at our "guest house", Leon Jamaer (who already has tasted the power of the waves from Ravine Blanche yesterday !), Jules Denel and Camille Juban jumped into the waters of la Pointe au Sel with sails from 4.2 to 5.0, in head high hollow waves breaking very close to the sharp reef. Just a small warmup for the boys to see the potential of this super hardcore down the line pointbreak !

Tonight will arrive Austrian rider Tom Hartmann. Colin Sifferlen is expected only on the 27th as there are not daily flights from New Caledonia. Whatever, the teams drawn will be done tomorrow during the Opening Ceremony, as usual, and the forecast seems to be pretty ok for the rest of the week ! So we'll have enough time to celebrate this 3rd edition and then get used to the local vibes...

Opening Ceremony and press conference @7pm at the Longboard café tomorrow. We'll then keep you updated about the 3 teams led by local captains Pierre Godet, Steven Pichot and Sylvain Bourlard. Stay tuned !

The event's program...

2011-08-23T19:38:00.001+02:00

Check out the 2011 Reunion Wave Classic program. It's all written in French right now but just leave us the time to do the trip to the island. We'll translate it as soon as we are arrived in St Pierre de La Reunion tomorrow morning (+2h from Paris).

The beach cleaning is maintained like last year, followed by a cool party on the beach of Ravine Blanche. Also introduced last year, the riders will take on their time to teach windsurfing to young local kids from St Pierre !

And for sure, do not miss the famous opening & closing ceremonies (Aug. 25th and Sept. 4th, 7pm @ the Longboard Café in St Pierre) !

Click the program to enlarge !

Some news about the qualification trials and the upcoming forecast...

2011-08-22T20:13:00.000+02:00

The 2 qualified locals to enter this year the 3rd "Reunion Wave Classic", Steven Pichot and Sylvain Bourlard, talk to us about the conditions they meet since the beginning of the winter on their island. Unusual forecasts this year they say, so it's been tough to launch the qualifications trials...

Steven

"We have had a very special early winter this year, with little wind and some days warm temperatures like in summer. With the lack of wind, it was difficult to launch qualifications trials... Pierre was pre-qualified. Selections were done with a double elimination. The simple was run in two days, on June 29 and then July 16 as the wind dropped down on the first day. I won this simple. The double was run on August 7 but we have not made it up to the finals. But in the semi-finals of the double, Sylvain wins ahead of Loïc and Walerian.
As for the weather of the upcoming week, it seems not too bad but the system does not seem very reliable. So let's wait a bit to refine this forecast..."

Sylvain

"In 2011, the conditions are really unusual. There were a few sessions, which has complicated the trials that were long and difficult. Pierre, winner of the previous edition, was already qualified. For other places, a double elimination was started on 2 weekends in July and August. Steven won the single ahead of me and I won the double. I finished second overall, which allowed me to be qualified this year.
The weather forecast appears optimistic for the next days. It looks like wind and waves will be there for the 3rd Reunion Wave Classic !"

3 local riders as "teams captains" !

2011-08-19T14:19:00.003+02:00

The names of the 3 local riders who will join the 2011 Reunion Wave Classic this year have been revealed. If Pierre Godet and Steven Pichot are part again of the contest, the "newcomer" this year is named Sylvain Bourlard. So welcome aboard Sylvain !

Stay tuned as we are in contact with Steven and Sylvain to get their feedback about the upcoming event that now starts in 6 days.

Pierre, Sylvain & Steven, the 2011 RWC "captains" !

Some words from the local organizer, Pierre Godet...

2011-08-19T12:42:00.004+02:00

If the company Open Ocean Media was in charge of the whole organization on the 1st edition of the "Reunion Wave Classic" in 2009, local rider Pierre Godet really got involved in the project since last year. Thanks to his efforts, the Regional Council supported the event in 2010 and also this year again.

Acting as organizer and rider in a same time is not an easy task. But Pierre proved that everything is possible with passion and motivation, making the 2010 edition a real successful event ! He and his wife worked hard to launch the 3rd edition in 2011. Pierre will also ride again alongside the other local riders.

"This year we are the unique organizers of the "Reunion Wave Classic" through our association "Reunion Windsurf". We have completed the first two editions in exceptional conditions of wind and waves, we expect even better this year. We have spent a lot of energy on this project with the help of our partners. We are now in the starting blocks for a great show. It's just a bit sad that some top riders declined the invitation to our contest, maybe because they fear the local extreme conditions ;-)... "

Pro riders' feedback...

2011-08-18T12:44:00.001+02:00

Read what the participating pro riders have to say about the contest... Leon Jamaer, Colin Sifferlen and Camille Juban already gave us their feedback so far !

Check our riders'page : http://reunionwaveclassic2011.blogspot.com/p/riders.html

The posters you've missed...

2011-08-16T01:16:00.000+02:00

Check this out ! This is an overview of all the posters we've created for this 3rd "Reunion Wave Classic" ! We've thought it would be cool for you to see it all. But for sure, we like the last one with "Wesh". Don't you ?

The poster !

2011-08-14T00:59:00.001+02:00

Check out the RWC 2011 poster. Very simple one, but super action from Julien "Wesh" Taboulet on Etang Salé's line up last year, a powerful slash captured by Gilles Calvet. Wesh is back on the contest again this year and after he and his team took the honor on the past 2 editions, let's say that he pretty deserves it ! Please Wesh, rock the place again in 2011 !

The 2011 Reunion Wave Classic is on the way !

2011-08-11T21:00:00.002+02:00

Well, it took the organization a lot of time to gather all the necessary elements to make it happen. Sure, the positive answer from the sponsors was a bit late, but finally we are really happy to say that the contest will happen for the 3rd time on the extreme and radical south spots of La Reunion Island !

This time, the local organization and the local riders are happy to welcome new names such as young Leon Jamaer (21) from Germany, Jules Denel (21) from France, and Tom Hartmann (31) from Austria. If Hartmann and Denel already shared some cool waves on the last edition of the Fuerteventura Wave Classic in February, Jamaer is going to be part for the first time on this kind of "open event".

Definitely addicted to the waves of La Reunion since the 1st edition of "La Reunion Wave Classic", Camille Juban (21) from Guadeloupe and Julien Taboulet (31) from France will do the trip again this year ! We are also very happy to welcome again (he was part of the 1st edition too) talented ripper Colin Sifferlen (26) from New Caledonia.

Stay tuned as we will soon reveal the names of the local riders who will join the boys for another great 3rd edition of this epic event !

Website under construction...

2011-07-06T18:50:00.004+02:00

Yes, we're actually working on this blog to make it easy for you as soon as we will post some new stuff. Also a Facebook fan page will be created as well as a twitter account so you can keep in touch with us!

We're back !

2011-07-06T17:47:00.005+02:00

With the support of the Regional Council of La Reunion plus some local partners and thanks to Pierre Godet and the local association "Windsurf Reunion", the famous wave contest "La Reunion Wave Classic" will happen again this summer. Contest will take place from 25th of August to 5th of September 2011.
Stay tuned for more infos through our facebook page or twitter account.