Notice: Undefined index: slug in /var/www/html/wp-includes/class-wp-theme-json.php on line 2090

Notice: Undefined index: slug in /var/www/html/wp-includes/class-wp-theme-json.php on line 2090

Notice: Undefined index: slug in /var/www/html/wp-includes/class-wp-theme-json.php on line 2090
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Global Content

French Adaptive Surf Legends Visit Wavegarden Cove

Silver Surfers: French Adaptive Surf Leaders at the Wavegarden Cove

Silver Surfers Wavegarden | Surf Park Central

Silver Surfers Benoit Moreau & Eric Dargent at the Wavegarden Cove Demo Facility in Spain. Image: Wavegarden / Pacotwo

Two special guests were recently invited to surf the Wavegarden Cove: Eric Dargent and Benoit Moreau. Both are French surfers and both have a story to tell.

In 2011, Eric was visiting Reunion Island for the first time with his family when a shark attacked him at popular surf spot Les Roches Noires, taking off half of his left leg. Benoit lost his right arm in 2010 when a tree fell on him in a forest near Biarritz. Both men underwent life-changing experiences from which many would find it hard to bounce back.

“When I was attacked, I wasn’t sure if I would live or die,” explained Eric. “It’s hard to believe but just minutes after the accident I decided if I was to survive I would live my life to the full, do what I love, and truly make the most of my family and friends. It changed my perspective on everything.”

For a long time Benoit feared he would never surf again. “It was a difficult period,” he recalled. “I asked myself lots of questions but then finally I did it, I started catching waves again.”

Eric Dargent Silver Surfers Co-Founder | Wavegarden Cove | Surf Park Central

Eric Dargent demonstrating a proper forehand bottom turn regardless of the fact a shark left him with less than half his left leg. Image: Wavegarden / Pacotwo

The two men met each other in the French Alps while competing in the World Adaptive Snowboard Championships, and have since become good friends, surfing together at every opportunity. Eric lives near Marseille and surfs three to four times a week in winter, when conditions are at their best. Summer is a different story as the Mediterranean is generally flat, so he passes time at the skate park instead.

A day rarely goes by without Benoit surfing somewhere at home along the Basque coast. “I just love surfing and recently won the Adaptive Surfing Championships in Cornwall, England,” said Benoit, proud of this important achievement.

“Watching them ride waves is really impressive, they both have a great approach and very high level,” remarked Josema Odriozola, Wavegarden’s CEO and Founder. “And it was great to see them sharing the smaller waves with their friends and family.”

Benoit Moreau Wavegarden Cove | Silver Surfer | Surf Park Central

Benoit Moreau enjoying his session at the Wavegarden Cove demonstration facility in the Basque region of Spain. Image: Wavegarden / Pacotwo

Eric and Benoit’s passion for surfing has helped them through some tough times, and given them the strength to overcome obstacles most of us couldn’t even imagine. Eric, who has set up an association called Surfeurs Dargent (Silver Surfers) to support other people with disabilities, was interested to see how the new Cove functioned, and excited about the possibilities for the future. “The system is really safe — I can see how people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the facility.”

Surfeurs Dargent is a non-profit organization with three objectives: to take people surfing; to develop equipment and prosthesis suitable for surfing; and to communicate to the world that surfing can help people realize they are stronger than they think.

“I hope when people see us surfing in the video that they become motivated to try it as well,” added Eric. “They will fall in love and it will change their perspective.”

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Pingback: Surf parks- the ultimate surf equipment testing facilities

  2. Pingback: Family Surf Session at The Cove | Surf Park Central


Notice: Undefined variable: user_ID in /var/www/html/wp-content/themes/zoxpress/comments.php on line 51

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Trending


For more news & updates,

visit us on social at:


Facebook



LinkedIn




Youtube

Interview w/Damon Tudor & Craig Stoddart on New Business, THINKING ADRENALINE, at Surf Park Summit



Instagram


Notice: Undefined index: data in /var/www/html/wp-content/themes/zoxpress-child/functions.php on line 554

Warning: array_slice() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /var/www/html/wp-content/themes/zoxpress-child/functions.php on line 554

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/wp-content/themes/zoxpress-child/functions.php on line 556

You May Also Like

Sticky Post

From WavePoolMag: In a strategic rebrand Wavegarden Scotland is now Lost Shore Surf Resort. Developers said the move was to reflect the surf park...

Sticky Post

Press Release from Wavegarden: Different high-quality waves are guaranteed at the push of a button to provide competitors with equal conditions and alleviate event...

Sticky Post

The results from the 2022 Waves of Innovation Surf Park Awards are in. We have three winners and a number of finalists for the...

Sticky Post

Press Release from Wavegarden: A world first in the surf park sector, Wavegarden provides complete transparency by disclosing precise technical information – including the...