During the recent Réunion Wave Classic event our raving reporter, Sophia Regerbis, had a chat with French master photographer Gilles Calvet. Here are his thoughts and stunning photographs from the Indian Ocean.
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What
Gilles Calvet, 45 years old, windsurfer and photographer since a while *hahahahaha*
Where
La Réunion, St Pierre, chilling in the sun
When
During the Réunion Wave Classic in September 2009
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La Réunion is a beautiful island, when was the first time that you came here?
‘I discovered the island in 1992 with Raoul Lequertier and Vincent Lartizien to make some pictures because we heard from the locals that the island could offer great surfsailing conditions. We sailed more or less all the spots and met one of the main local riders, Fuji, who wanted to buy our boards. After this I came for four more times with different riders like Angulo, Bourroux, Kauli, Teboul etc.’
What has changed since 1992?
‘They built a highway lately, which makes it nowadays easier to travel around the island to enjoy all the spots without being stuck in the traffic jams. This road also offers a really nice view of all the places and fits perfectly with the local’s car addiction.
In windsurfing nothing really changed, few people and hardcore conditions.’
How did you feel arriving in la Réunion this time?
‘I am happy to be here and I just try to see this place with a new eye. Not looking in the past, just living the moment.’
You have already taken pictures for the Fuerte Wave Classic, what do you think about this new kind of windsurfing wave competition which, up to now, has always been blessed with good conditions?
‘I think it is good for the sport, it shows nice places, nice actions and a nice way to live for the kids to dream about. About the conditions, we chose the right time to travel to the right places and we have twelve days of waiting period so everything is made to get it good. The competition format is good, the judgement made by the riders is a good thing. I would maybe do it more easy to understand by having only two rankings: an individual one and a team ranking. I also think the teams should be made of people from the same place.’
You have been in this business a while, can you tell us what has changed in the style of windsurfing? Are the young guys from today more radical than before?
‘Overall down the line surfing did not change, there are not a thousand ways to ride a wave. But the top turns became more technical and more pushed, thanks to the creativity of young people. And the freestyle created new possibilities, different ways to turn. All this was not possible before.’
Considering the conditions and the ambience, was it a good competition for you and the riders?
‘It was very nice: the spirit, the level of all the riders in overall and the conditions were awesome. Everybody is spending a nice time here, we have had some nice riding, everybody tried to show the best of his own style and the light is always so nice here.’
What do you think will be the future of windsurfing?
‘I hope more kids will become windsurfers, thanks to the good image windsurfing can give… but until now poor people are excluded from windsurfing because the industry is focused on the middle and upper class. Maybe some work has to be done by the riders or the brands to change this. For example making a wave kit that only costs 1000 euros.’
Which places would you visit at la Réunion if you would be with your family here?
‘If there are no clouds I would be in the mountains, when there are nice waves I would go surf, the kids playing in the shore break and my wife bodysurfing, I also would visit friends and have a BBQ with them!’
What is your next plan after la Réunion?
‘I will go back home: surf, windsurf, do some fishing and make love with my wife. Hopefully the next trip will be to West Africa and I am looking forward to getting my next plane ticket for the next Wave Classic.’
Is the economic crisis affecting you and windsurfing?
‘I don’t see any crisis! I have no TV, I have no newspaper, I already see too many Mrs Browns in my village everyday!’
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Pics by Gilles Calvet. Words and picture of Gilles by Sophia Regerbis – © umi 2009
