Surfing - Anaïs Blanchard back on the waves after a stint at the Sports Academy

"A native of Saint-Barthélemy, she has a rigorous technical approach and a notable presence at national and international competitions. She embodies performance and perseverance. Her participation in the Academy reflects her ambition to push back her limits and inspire future generations. "These are the words used by the French Surfing Federation to introduce Anaïs Blanchard in its article on the Académie des sportives. For a week, the Ajoe Reefer Surf Club member took part in the 6th edition of this event, which brought together a dozen top-level sportswomen in Capbreton. Among them were three French surfing talents, including Anaïs Blanchard. There was a wide range of sports," says the former captain of the French junior team. Wrestling, gymnastics, athletics, golf, fencing, lifesaving, climbing, kayaking... Over four days, we took part in a wide range of activities designed to enable us to meet sportswomen of different ages and levels. Some, such as Marine Boyer in gymnastics and Shana Grebo in athletics, have taken part in the Olympic Games. There were also a number of former athletes on hand to tell us about their careers and help us in our development as top-level athletes, such as Grégory Mallet, double Olympic vice-champion in swimming, and Sofia Bouderbane in Karate. "In addition, Anaïs and her colleagues were able to talk to a sports lawyer, a banker and a mental trainer, as well as learn how to better organize their activity on the networks with a communications company. An unforgettable and exceptional experience," enthuses the young woman. It was just intense and enriching. "But she couldn't ignore the call of the waves any longer. So, on Monday April 13, Anaïs flew to Caparica in Portugal to take part in a European Qualifying Series (QS) competition. There's a high level of competition, because these are the best in Europe," says the 2024 French junior champion. But I'm going to try to take my place among them! It's great to surf and see how far I can go. "
This weekend, Anaïs will be back in France, in Biarritz, where she will be taking part in the Maider Arosteguy Open competition. With the big boys, of course, since the days of youth competitions are now over!