Eric Walenta
/
Austria
FOLLOW ME
www.mozinlive.com
Date of birth:
1985.08.10
Hometown:
Reunion Island / South Indian Ocean
Sponsors:
Sniper Bodyboard,
Agent Eighteen wetsuit,
Hobbies:
Brasilian Jiujitsu, Spear Fishing, Biking, Stretching
Favourite athletes:
Mike Stewart, Roger Federer, Michael Phelps
BIO
Nothing seemed to prepare me to become a bodyboarder. I was born in the West part of France in 1985, spending my summer holidays on the Atlantic coast catching crabs and sailing on my grandpa’s boat. I arrived in Reunion Island aged 7 with my family. Then waves became my favourite daily playground and bodyboarding my favourite sport.
I won my first local comp in 1996. Then, the district and national leagues, where I gradually got the Junior and Open titles year after year. Then I joined the French team for the Junior European Games. After I decided to double up my studies at university and the competition with my “high-level athlete” status.
In 2008, after being 2007 IBA Top 3, I decided to be a professional rider. I wanted to l try my luck following the World Tour: Hawaii, South America, Europe, Australia… My hometown was still in Reunion Island, where I was back in between contests. Thanks to my sponsor Sniper bodyboards, it could happen!
After my world title in 2010, Reunion Island was on fire but in 2011 the first shark attacks killed the dream: surfing was mortal in our fabulous waves. Then I had to go into exile from my paradise. My training residence would be in Galdar, island of Gran Canaria -Spanish archipelago- on the world class El Fronton wave. The riders over there are really high levelled and the BB community is strong and talented. I am a lucky man: over there I met Magdalena who is now my wife and the mother of our son Oliver.
After a queer year in 2013 when I was top 1 ex-aequo with Ben Player and ranked second, I attacked 2014 with a big motivation and will. Then I could get my second World title and become ISA World Champ in Drop Knee and Tag team.
Work hard and never give up.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
I am looking to find the best balance in my life between all the things around me, my sport, my family and my friends!
What would be your greatest achievement?
I already realized many dreams in the last few years but to feel that I’m surfing at my best level, no matter the contest or anything…just me and the waves fighting or playing together.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
You have to be really strict on your lifestyle, be healthy, organized, strong, flexible…so many factors make you a good and complete rider.
Also the lack of sponsorship gets really hard sometimes and I know so many good riders that did not achieve their dream because they did not have any support from the industry. I am lucky to have one sponsor (SNIPER bodyboards) that follows me since ten years now…
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
Just feeling I surfed a wave at my best, with my style, my vision of bodyboarding and with the best line I could find!
Also surfing more than 6 hours pumping waves with my friends, watching the footages at night that makes me satisfied! Another thing is when I travel, when I meet my friends, fans and new people all over the world. It is like a big human family.
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
I try to have a critical feedback of my own surfing. There are so many different ways to ride the same wave and it’s all about finding the best way to you. I love to surf alone, to feel in harmony with the Ocean and to feel I get better on each wave I ride.
The best way is to feel the waves, with your eyes, your body, and your mind. Even before entering the water, while the warm up, look at the waves, see what they tell you before you reach them.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
I’m doing a complete training to feel at my best in my sports. Biking, Cross fit, TRX, stretching, diving, running, yoga…In bodyboarding you have to be strong and flexible with a good cardiovascular system!
The key is to feel ready inside you, to feel confident and ready for anything that could happen.
What are you most nervous about when competing?
Most of the time my first heat gets me pretty nervous, especially when the waves are inconsistent or slow to come. I hate losing but if I have at least some expression in the water I feel more relax.
I think everybody is stressful when competing but the key is to feel the positive stress of it with motivation and adrenaline!
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
My family is for sure my biggest fan, they support me so much in my life and I would not be here without them.
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
I had this advice from the legend of our sport, the Hawaiian Mike Stewart…He is 53 and he is still surfing so good, he is such in good shape and one day he told me that the secret is to never stop. Bodyboarding is really traumatic for your body but if you never stop to ride, you could feel good for ever.
What are your future plans?
The APB world tour starts in Brazil in July so I am really keen to defend my title and try to do my best on every event!
I am also working on new videos, my new website, my international bodyboarding training school, keep working on my surfing and the most important: taking care of my family!
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Bodyboarding is such a good way to get in touch with the Ocean and the waves. It is easy to have fun and it doesn’t cost much so go for it and enjoy every ride!
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any questions, I am always happy to help and give tips!
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