Baptiste, almost from Istres, very precisely from Hyères, is competing this weekend for the title of World Surfing “Big Air” Champion, with jumps of over 30 meters in height, on show above the sea and the crowd.
After his water exit, 20-year-old Baptiste Jacquemin, one of France’s best current prospects, still has his head in the clouds. The young athlete has turned professional. Here are his initial impressions.
“I am happy. My heat went well, I had a light wind but I managed to handle it well. Riding with a tramontane blowing at around 25/30 knots, approximately 80 km/h, is excellent. Last year here in Le Barcarès, I hit 67 knots, it was really tough.”
“And you finished in second place?”
“Yes, I did seven jumps in different categories, with various figures. I managed to complete them all, but I needed one or two more additional figures to move up to first place. It’s okay! We have a second round, then after the qualifications, tomorrow we start the finals.”
“What are your main qualities?”
“I started riding at the age of 12. I first took part in small competitions, then the French championship until I focused on “Big Air”. The discipline requires jumping as high as possible while performing big tricks in extreme winds. I was fortunate to be selected in 2025 and also this year. Participating in this world event is a real pleasure.”
“Are you one of the calm or ‘nervous’ riders?”
“I believe I am one of the few who remain calm. I don’t rush without thinking.”
“How do you train?”
“Last year, I spent the whole year in Tarifa, southern Spain, to be able to attend all competitions. For the past two years, I have been a professional and part of the pro circuit.”
“What is the atmosphere like between all of you?”
“We are a big family. We all know each other, even outside of competitions, we are always at the same spots, where the wind blows, and if we need to help each other, we do it with pleasure. There is a good camaraderie among us, we are all friends except in the air where it’s every man for himself and fighting against others.”
