In The Mix Tuihani "Tshany" Teissier Interview

In: In The Mix by doclach 0 Comments Mon 20th Feb '12
Tags: Tuihani Teissier , Tshany , Tahiti , Tahiti ten , Gainer Flip , Eric Schnitzler , Gorf
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Like their riding, the Tahitians approach their interviews with so much energy. Always a total pleasure and the pump from reading their responses is so strong. as you may know, Fluidzone is doing "The Tahitian Ten" interview series. This includes some of the more known riders there and some of the lesser known, to give you a true mix of the crew who ride the legendary reefs there. The first two are already up - Tuihani Henry and David Tuarau. Tshany is our third.
You may want to check Tshany's GORF sequence before you read on - it says so much about this rider. Special thanks go to Eric Schnitzler (filmer and editor for the Within podcast series) who has translated my questions to Tshany and then translated his answers back into english for us to enjoy. Eric also took the Gorf and barrel sequence shots you see here. It seems that visiting photgraphers have been enjoying the waves there, but not paying dues according to local rule number 2, so Eric has filled the gap for us. Eric also commented on Tshany's riding style, it's unique and advanced nature and how he will just go explore the waves and bust out a variety in each session, in a positively unpredictable way. Hence the GORF shots.

Eric has written an insightful description of Tshany:
Hometown: Punaauia, Tahiti
Age:26
About: An amazing well balanced rider/camera man. If this guy had some better gear, his work would go far as he's super talented and creative. He made a video called Sapinus PRONE ( the name of his production company ) and premiered it ending up with a turn out of over 500 people. He's done a lot for Tahitian bodyboarding and has more projects in mind. He's one of those guys that is always into finding secret waves, I always hear stories of him surfing some reef ledge I've never even heard about which is a trip because I'm usually pretty on it haha. As for his riding, he's always into trying new moves, and surfs with style, quite an impressive rider.

Please meet another of the humble yet powerful Tahitian riders, Tshany:

Doc: Hey Tuihani, can you tell us a little about your riding history and your life in Tahiti?
TT: Hi, my name is Tuihani Teissier but everyone calls me "Tshany". I live and grew up in Punaauia, Tahiti, one of the 3 biggest communities in Tahiti. I started bodyboarding at "Pointe de Pécheurs" in the bay of Nuuroa at the age of 5 with my dad who is also a surfer. I do stand-up, prone and DK. I really prefer rights as there's not many of them here.

Doc: The Tahitians are gaining traction in being known to the bodyboarding world in a better way. You are one of the more underground riders there. Who inspires you there and what are your aspirations in bodyboarding?
TT: Yes, it's true that Tahitian bodyboarding has been given a lot of recognition at the moment thanks to Eric Schnitzler who makes mega films and podcasts of Tahitian riders. "Thanks Bro!" I also promote Tahitian bodyboarding with my "Sapinus Prone" podcasts on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwJVuRTs8-M. I believe it's a must to show the level of riding there is here in Tahiti. I love it when we get these extraordinary sessions and seeing all the boys charging these amazing waves. My inspirations are Loris Fuchon for his riding, David Tuarau for his courage in huge waves and Heimana Jurd who is the the Tahitian "Mike Stewart". There's many others but those are the 3 that come to mind.

Doc: The Gainer Flip that David Tuarau intitated and other riders like Tahurai are starting to flow with. What did you think when you first saw the move and how are you going with executing it and making the landing?
TT: Gainer Flip!!! Excellent!!! Big move!!! In fact, to tell you the truth, I've thought of a move similar to the Gainer Flip before. I tried it 2 or 3 times but didn't fully land it and I thought to myself, aaaah, there's probably someone else in the world who's done or thought of this move already, like Nugget for example... so I kind of put it on the side.
And then, I started to hear about "David Tuarau" doing this move called the "What the Fuck" (Gainer Flip) and that no one has ever done it before. I was really anxious to see this move and then finally one day I was filming at Sapinus and I saw him do it, and I was like, HEY!!! MEGA!!! It seems like the move I was trying to do, but what he did was by far more radical and I heard all the others saying "What The Fuck" and from then I understood that this was the new move of David and I was super super happy for him. He then explained to me how it's done and it was a totally different vision, super technical. Since then, I've been trying this move but yet have completed one like David. What does it take to finish this new move? A big ramp, big balls and no brain. That's David!!! hahaha!

Doc: what do you believe would most assist the Tahitians to develop their riding even more in your local waves?
TT: To progress, we need to speak, ask, observe and look for feedback each time.

Doc: You have a lot of set-ups there. Apart from Teahupoo, what would be your favourite break and could you describe what it is like to rdie please?
TT: hahaha, I just surf my home spot in Punaauia. It's a wave that can either be super epic or super average hahaha. The good thing about the wave is that we can surf it at any size or swell. There's many different faces of the wave all depending on size and direction of swell. The majority of the time it's 1.5M south west, so it's good for manuevers, barrels and the whole game. But the most hoped for swell direction is WEST where the waves are long, heavy, fast and all end with a crazy ramp. That's when you have the guys blowing minds.

Doc: Joel Birch, the lead singer from The Amity Affliction here is sporting a nice reef rash at the moment and it's starting to fester up something sweet (Joel's Tumblr). Striking the reefs there can be vicious on people's skin. What are some of the worst injuries you've seen happen to bodyboarders on your local reefs?
TT: The reef!!! The reef's hidden below and the waves are what reminds us that it's there.
Without a doubt the biggest wipeout I've seen had to be Niko Richard at Teahupoo, his whole back was one big reefcut.

Doc: It's hard to get photos of the local Tahitian riders, especially you underground boys and we need those to promote you. What do you reckon would be something you see would help get you more pics so the general public can get to see how well you and your crew ride?
TT:hahaha. It's true, it's hard for us to get photos and coverage. The majority of the time for us, it's all about word of mouth. Teahupoo is where all the media is and is a great place to see the level of the locals. Just don't make them afraid of the camera hehehe.

Doc: What's the biggest air you've seen busted out by a booger in Tahiti?
TT: There's been so many. If not, I'd have to say a huge Air 360 at Teahupoo on a 3 meter wave by "Angelo Faraire" or an amazing reverse air from a friend "Noho Kong" who doesn't really bodyboard anymore. Not to forget "David Tuarau" of course who did a huge Invert to Air Reverse at Sapinus on the west bowl. ( A dieux )

Thanks heaps your time Tshany!
TT: Yeah, no problem, I'm here for you guys hehehe. Thank you FLUIDZONE!

Photos// Eric Schnitzler

 

 

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