SAILOR IN FOCUS

Which French rider is aiming to break in to the top ten in the world of waves for 2013?

Jules Denel (JP / NeilPryde) recently joined the JP Australia and Neil Pryde team after another fine season on the PWA World Tour. The twenty-two year old finished the season with his best result to date, as he took home seventh place in Sylt. The Frenchman has now set his aim on breaking into the top ten overall for 2013 and given his rate of improvement he stands a realistic chance of doing so. He’s definitely one to keep an eye out for over the upcoming season. Read our interview with him below:

PWA: Firstly, what are your thoughts on how the 2012 season went and how would you rate your results?

JD: “Since six years I have participated on the PWA circuit and my results do not stop improving and it's a very positive point. At 22 years old, I need that because I work hard to progress (training, trips), and I need to have results in competition otherwise I would lose interest.”

“To participate on the PWA circuit is an enriching thing because it’s important to build, to progress every year, by moving closer more and more towards your objective …In this point of view, I think I’m on the good road.”

PWA: After finishing the season in fourteenth place, with your best result 7th in Sylt, do you think you can break into the top ten next year?

JD: “It’s my goal for 2013 …Finish 7th at the last World cup in Sylt was a good experience which keeps increasing my motivation as never, to think that all is possible… I won against Jamie Hancock (Tabou / Gaastra), Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins), Klaas Voget (Fanatic / Simmer / MFC), Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra), in really nice conditions. For me it's a really good step in my sporting career and it helps me to realise that I can enter into the top ten for 2013.”

PWA: You have one of the most aggressive cut backs on the tour, do you have any tips for aggressive top turns for aspiring wave sailors?

JD: “You have to look a lot the best rider, sailing in all conditions, try to be the most aggressive that you can when you surf. That's what I try to do for progress..”

PWA: How long have you been windsurfing?

JD: “I start windsurfing in Wissant in the north of France when I was 8 years old with my father.”

PWA: Who has been you biggest influence on your sailing?

JD: “Thomas Traversa is the guy who I aspire to be like the most in windsurfing…With his style, engagement, vision… before doing Shaka or Taka he tries to do a real turn, that's what I like.”

PWA: What would you be doing if you weren’t windsurfing?

JD: “Bad student...”

PWA: Where is your favorite place to windsurf and why?

JD: “Wissant. It’s always good to come back to your home spot with your friends because it’s also the place where you sail your best waveriding ! But for sure at Cabo Verde, Hookipa or Fuerteventura, the conditions are better but if you say me where I want to stay for 4 months, I think I want to stay at Wissant.”

PWA: What is your favorite move and why?

JD: “Back loop one hand ! I like do it because now I can do this move really high, have a really big sensation and the reception is cool. I like also do a good taka in the pocket of the wave.”

PWA: What new moves are you currently learning?

JD: “The “360” and the shaka because actually it’s necessary to do all the repertory in all the conditions to have chance to improve on the ranking.”

PWA: How do you learn your moves and improve your sailing? Videos? Watching others?

JD: “It’s important to ride with other guys and in different spots for the motivation …I remember in 2009 at Pozo with Camille Juban (Quatro / MauiSails / MFC)…We motivate each other to do the double forward…If we weren’t together, I think I will not realize him…But currently, videos are very interesting to progress, to see your falls and to imagine the move before to realize it on the water.”

PWA: Where is your favorite spot on the PWA Tour?

JD: “For the result it’s SYLT …For the ride it’s Capo Verde or it will be South Africa if it's confirmed this year.”

PWA: How does competition sailing make you feel? And how do you prepare for your heats?

JD: “In the life I’m really relaxed and cool, and perhaps not very rigorous…But in competition I’m a competitor who hates to lose a heat. So I try to concentrate and be ready for the contest.”

PWA: What do you do when you’re not windsurfing?

JD: “I try to communicate in my town, in my region, with mags…because I think it’s very important to show and to talk about my sport road and about windsurf. I manage also a surf shop “Windsurfing Zone” at Wissant and I also go surfing or play tennis with my friends.”

PWA: What are your plans for the winter?

JD: “It depends on the conditions, but at the start of winter it’s sure that I will go for one month to South Africa to train all days with my friends... I will also go to Maui for sure this winter.

PWA: What are your goals for 2013 and the future?

JD: “For 2013 I have the chance to integrate into one of the biggest international teams… JP Australia and NeilPryde. It will be an incredible experience and I will enjoy all my time. I want to continue to travel, to progress, to meet people and progress in the PWA ranking.”

PWA: Thanks Jules, have fun in SA and Maui and we’ll look forward to seeing you on the tour in 2013.