In The Mix John Duval - Tahitian Ten series

In: In The Mix by doclach 1 Comments Mon 14th Jan '13
Tags: John Duval , Tahitian Ten , Tahiti , Mike Cerrone , Vincent Devert , Maureen Maiau , Niko Richard
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The "Tahitian Ten" series began on Fluidzone in January 2012, when the names of these riders were very unfamilliar to the general bodyboarding public. If you've missed the previous interviews, here are the links:
Tahurai Henry http://www.fluidzone.com/news/1897-tahurai-henry
David Tuarau http://www.fluidzone.com/news/1906-david-tuarau
Tuihani "Tshany' Teissier http://www.fluidzone.com/news/1935-tuihani-tshany-teissier-interview
Fred Temorere http://www.fluidzone.com/news/5042-fred-temorere
Angelo Faraire http://www.fluidzone.com/news/5101-angelo-faraire-interview
Casabianca Thibault http://www.fluidzone.com/news/5114-casabianca-thibault-interview
Hitoti Henry http://www.fluidzone.com/news/5133-hitoti-henry-interview

And be sure to check these special features:
Tshany's GORF sequence http://www.fluidzone.com/news/1920-tshany-busts-a-gorf
Gainer Flip sequence http://www.fluidzone.com/galleries/1910-the-gainer-flip

Next we have another big time charger, meet John Duval

Doc: Hey John,
You've been in tahiti for five years, where were you before that?
JD: I was living in Bora Bora, spent all my childhood there and started bodyboarding at 15 years of age. After that, I moved to Tahiti because there's no high school in bora bora. It was a good change, waves everywhere, better place to learn how to bodyboard, felt like I was like living the dream, surfing everyday after school, making new friends and then I met Sapinus which changed everything for me..

Doc: Eric says you're kind of a Brendon Newton style rider - you charge anything. How would you respond to that compliment?
JD: Haha cheers mate, stoked to even be compared to him, don't know what to say, but Brendo's probably been one of my biggest influences.

Doc: You've never missed a big swell and your true passion is big waves. what draws you to want to ride the big stuff?
JD: Yeah it's my truly my passion and never miss big swells. I always bailed on school, family, friends, girls or whatever so I wouldn't miss the opportunity to ride that wave. Riding big waves definitely makes me feel alive.

Doc: How's your tech riding compared to someone like David Tuarau?
JD: I'm not a rider who's gonna destroy and make new moves. I'm simple and try to ride properly and fluid the best as I can, concentrating more on classic moves. I like watching the way surfers ride. I look at them and just go I wanna ride like that(Quote by Mitch Rawlins).

Doc: What's been happening on the Tahitian bodyboarding scene lately?
JD: Too many things have been happening in Tahiti. Eric Schnitzler and Marcus Rodrigues have helped Tahitian riders a lot by promoting them through podcasts, David invented a new move (Gainer) and got the cover of SURGE, Michel Pescheux and Niko Richard both opened new bodyboard shops, Tahurai got the RIPTIDE cover and won the craziest wave ever award, Fred got the cover of VERT magazine and the most funny thing about it all is that now... the new generation of kids prefer to bodyboard rather then surf. Things are definitely changing here.

Doc: A few of the riders scored covers in 2012, how did that affect you boys in Tahiti who have been charging hard for years and previously almost unnoticed?
JD: Yeah the 2012 year has been kind of slow with swells but just one or two were enough for Tahurai, Angelo, Alvino, David and many others to prove themselves.
It seems some of the international BB community haven't really accepted us Tahitian bodyboarders onto the scene. It's very hard for us to gain any recognition and sponsors from companies being so far away and it's not cheap to support us being way down here in the South Pacific. Up until recently only, have we had any international support. Things are looking good though for the future so we can't complain.

Doc: You're pretty outgoing and like to catch up with the foreign bodyboarders when they visit your island. What do you like most about meeting new crew? Thought you'd like to keep all the waves to yourselves mate.
JD: Life. It's about the people you meet and I love it. It's not a problem for me if they want ride our reefs, we just need respect and good vibes at the spot. We are Tahitian, we love to share but like Tahurai says we expect the same in return!

Doc: Who are some of your fave riders at the moment, both free riding and on the world tour?
JD: Brenden Newton, Sam Bennett, and Mitch Rawlins are my favorite riders. I don't like competition but I think Jared and PLC do pretty good on the world tour.

Doc: What is it you like most about the bodyboarders you've selected?
JD: Brendo charges like anything with no fear. Sam Bennett has the best style ever - fast and precise. Mitch Rawlins for charging and fluidity, the best invert ever, power, speed, style!

Doc: Anyone you want to shout out to or thank John?
JD: Just a huge Thanks to Fluidzone, Eric @ Within Films, Marcus @ Shacks and Shakas, 662 Tahiti, Plug bodyboard shop, contributing photographers Mike Cerrone, Vincent Devert and Maureen Maiau/Niko Richard for the photos and all those who support Tahitian bodyboarding!
See ya mate yeeew

Photography Credits:
Mike Cerrone
Vincent Devert
Maureen Maiau/Niko Richard

 

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