Welcome to the second instalment of our new ‘Talent’ feature, bringing you the latest in up and coming Euro wave riders. To check out last week’s lowdown, click TOM LOWE.

Age: 21
Home: Mimizan, France
Sponsors: Quiksilver, RT Surfboards
Results: 7th pro-junior 2006, 1st Maider Biarritz 2008, 1st coupe de France, Mimizan 2008

How do you get out of the woods?
The woods being the north of Les Landes in Vincent’s local lingo and the town of Mimizan to be more precise. Miles away from the surf industry, miles away from the competitive grounds of Hossegor or Anglet. But nonetheless, Vincent decided to go for broke with professional surfing and turned his back on Uni. “I like to learn things but I felt that going into professional surfing will give me more at this stage in my life. And today, things are going the right way for me; my learning process is in training and getting as much experience as I can on the tour.” Vincent is already part of the WQS contingent, the transition from the pro juniors has been a true oxygen bowl for him, surfing better waves, travelling more but just with a slight regret of not gaining a great result in the pro junior ranks. So ahead of more challenging tomorrows, what are Vincent’s strengths? Does he do good airs? Yep, like all the guys his age. Is he a contest machine? Not really. Is he gifted with something hard to put into words but that seems obvious when you see him in the water? Yes, the kid has style, flow, fluidity, call it as you like, that’s what makes him ‘The Squirrel’ (his nickname in Mimizan after a heavy party) so different out there. Will it enable Vincent to climb the WQS ladder? Hopefully. But for now, Vincent has got a positive, step by step approach. He’s got style in the bag and he is working hard on those three crucial elements for modern pro surfing: focus, rigour and fighting spirit.

Words: Archi