La Réunion – The Coup De Surf Francophonie and Ocean Indien Challenge On Réunion Island competition is an opportunity to unite surfers from the Indian Ocean region. It brings together surfers from India, South Africa, Mauritius, and French-speaking countries like Senegal, Tahiti, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France).
The event will take place from 16 – 24 November 2024, during which time the South African team, comprising Anastasia Venter (JBay), Zoe Steyn (EL), Lorenzo Perels (JBay), and Daniel Emslie (EL), will showcase their skills. Liam Wood is the coach, and Danielle Powis is the manager.
What started as a regional competition, initially held as the Elio Surf Challenge, organised by the Saint-Leu Surf Club, has now evolved into an international platform: La Coupe de Surf Francophonie and Océan Indien.
The creation of the Union of Indian Ocean Surf Federations (UFSOI) has been pivotal in this transformation. UFSOI promotes collaboration among the region’s surfing federations, encouraging joint initiatives and regional events that strengthen the unity of the surfing community in the Indian Ocean.
The event features three major contests:
Indian Ocean Cup :
This tournament is between South Africa, India, Mauritius and Reunion Island.
Francophonie Cup :
This tournament is between Sénégal. Tahiti, Aquitaine (France), Mauritius and Réunion Island.
International Cup :
This competition gathers all participants from the other
cups in a final contest.
The final weekend will be the event’s highlight with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Reunion Island Surfing League.
Safety
Comprehensive safety measures provided by the Shark Lookout Program and the Water Patrol will ensure the well-being of all participants. The Reunion Island Surfing League is committed to ensuring the safety of all participants. The Shark Lookout Program will supervise all surfing sessions during the event.
Venues
Surfing on Réunion Island is a unique experience. Unlike anywhere else, surfing here is limited to designated and secure areas. The best venue will be selected each morning of the competition to maximise the chances of scoring the best waves for the event.
Some of the options:
– Les Zaigrets: A-frame peak, with a better right-hander. It’s short and intense
– Les Brisants, DLD: Three left-hand peaks that break over a reef and offer barrels, turn sections, and the odd slab.
– L’Hermitage: World-class left and right reef-pass waves. Chunky and powerful barrels that break over a shallow reef.
– Trois-Bassins: A fun left-hander with good opportunities for performance surfing.
For more information, please go to the SURFING REUNION website.
Read more: Entries rolling in for Clutch!
