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 The last time France sent a team to a Surf Ski World Cup in
South Africa, they didn't have a good trip.
Flat water specialists, they were confronted by massive winter storm
seas in the cold Atlantic waters of Cape Town.
A female member of the team had to be rescued (along with a number of
other competitors) after falling off her ski.
But they're back - keen to learn, and hoping for a more
enjoyable campaign this year.
 The 2004 Surf Ski World Cup - massive Atlantic swell
Young Team
France is sending what may be a surprise package to the ARB
Surf Ski World Cup. The team consists of
two men, Jean Rillard (age 23, current French surf ski champion), Julie
Raeckelboom (21), Amélie Bouillet (21) and Morgan Joncour.
Three of team members (Jean Rillard and the two women) are
primarily sprint paddlers and competed at the beginning of the June in the
World Cup at Gerardmer, France.
Jean Rillard won the K2 Men's Senior 1 000 metres B Final,
while the women came 8th in the K2 Women's Senior 1 000 metres A
final.
Morgan Joncour is a white water specialist and finished 7th
in the European White Water Championships in Bosnia in May.
 Morgan Joncour - white water specialist
Goals & Training
Laurent Brossat, the team manager, said that Surf Ski is not
a widely practiced sport in France, but that the ICF accreditation of the South
African race had enabled them to send a team to gain experience in a "new
discipline". They chose to send the
youngest members of the team, "but they are strong and have great potential,"
he said.
The paddlers have been doing their own training for the
event.
Jean Rillard lives and paddles in Rennes, Brittany in the NW
of France - his ski paddling experience is mostly flat-water though and the
last French Surf Ski championships were held also on the Mediterranean Sea, on
flat water.
 Jean Rillard - current French Surf Ski Champion
The two women live inland at St. Laurent Blagny, near the
German border, "a long way from the sea!"
 Julie Raeckelboom - could be competitive if it's flat
The team coach, Jean Louis, does have extensive sea paddling
experience and will be guiding the competitors in South Africa.
As for their goals: Laurent Brossat said, "With our lack of experience, it's difficult to talk of specific goals except to learn and to do the best we can!"
Surprise Package?
If the race in Durban is held on flat water (the current
long range forecast is for anything but flat seas) the French team,
particularly the women, may surprise some of the other competitors.
More info from www.surfskiworldcup.com
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As our paddle trainer always says - LIVE SLOW, PADDLE FAST