Photo: Timo

France’s Vincent Duvignac is a man with a plan.

He attacks the WQS with the zeal and zest of man of considerably more resources than those actually at his disposal, and carries a cool, professional demeanour about him in all that he does.

He won both the Nixon Challenge Iceland in 2013 and the Rip Curl La Nord Challenge in pumping Hossegor, and generally rips the ball bag out of any spot he paddles out at.

We caught with him to find out those places he delights at the prospect of returning to, and those he perishes the very thought of revisiting…

TAKE ME BACK TO:

SAFI, MOROCCO
Winter’s coming. I had it big and beautiful in 2007, just insane. It seems like it attracts a lot of crew these days, a victim of its own success maybe… but still, what a wave.

ICELAND
I loved this cold, enchanting, natural paradise when we went for the Nixon Challenge. The place is breathtaking.

CAPE VERDE
Simply because you eat great fish and surf great waves… what else do you need?

ANDALUSIA
I surfed great waves there and know there are many more to discover. Discovery, culture, cuisine and scenery… what a combination.

MIMIZAN, FRANCE… 100 YEARS AGO
After researching I found out there was a righthander in the rivermouth at high tide before they built the jetties. I also heard that the channels between the banks were 20 metres deep at the time. Since then man has changed the coastline dramatically, stabilising the dunes and cutting the movement of sand overall. Still, those who know where to look can still find a little slice of paradise close to home.