Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA), 26, who placed 9th in the Quiksilver Pro France then lost in Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Mundaka in tricky three-foot close-outs, shares some thoughts about his time-off before heading to Peniche for the third event of this year’s ASP World Tour European leg, where he won his first ASP WQS event years ago in pumping Supertubes conditions. Here’s what the lad had to say on Europe so far…

“Mundaka was close to ridiculous. To send us out on the first day of the waiting period using the new format… was a huge disrespect towards surfers.” Photo: Laurel

“It’s great to spend all this time at home with my girlfriend, to hang out with my friends and to live a normal life for a few weeks in a row. We are in the middle of a really long leg which started in California, then France, Mundaka and eventually Peniche. So it’s good to have the chance to leave all suitcases and boardbags away and just enjoy some normal life.

I had an okay start in France, but it wasn’t that good, just a 9th place finish. I’ve had an average year so far so it is my best result but I still would have liked to do better. I got a tricky heat with Tiago (Pires) in Round 4 with no waves at all… I feel like it’s been like that at most events this year, inconsistent waves, but I lost most of the time so I have to deal with it better and surf better.

But Mundaka was close to ridiculous. To send us out on the first day of the waiting period using the new format, which was originally done to use good swells and run an event in three days, was a huge disrespect towards surfers because the forecast was not good anyway and it would have changed nothing to run the normal format. The swell was dropping, the tide was going out and the waves were bad but it seems like it doesn’t mean anything. It’s like we want to get rid of that first round whereas surfers prepare and train hard to get the chance to surf good waves, and some careers just depend on that kind of calls. I lost that day so I am sure some will say I am just pissed but I would bet that the guys who won that day think the same.

Well, apart from that, I’ve been playing golf a lot. I was meant to go to the Red Bull Flugtag in Marseille (South of France) but I missed it! I have a few projects on the way on which I am working when not competing so I’ve got busy days between some surf, training and these projects.

Next stop for me is Peniche in Portugal, a place I love going to. I am felling well right now, mentally and physically. I hurt my back a little right after the Quiksilver Pro France but it’s better now and I can walk properly!

Speak soon, Tim