Surfing - Kalani Giraud doubles up at the French Open

The spot at Le Moule definitely seems to be working for Kalani Giraud. Last Sunday, January 12, the young surfer from Ajoe Reefer Surf Club won the French Open in the junior category for the second year running. This was the first stage of the Banque Populaire Surf Tour espoirs 2025 in shortboard. "I'm happy to win this first stage of the Open de France in Guadeloupe," the champion soberly declared on his Instagram profile. But he wasn't the only Saint-Barthélemy representative to shine.
In the junior girls' category (ondines), Célia Magras put in a superb performance. She took third place behind two members of the French team, Clara Hirigoyen and Clémence Scorsch. The latter having won the title of vice-world champion in the under-16 category in Surf City, El Salvador, in May 2024.
I'm very happy to finish this final behind two surfers on the French team, including the world vice-champion," enthuses Célia. I came third in this national Open espoir, which is better than last year in Martinique (fourth). I need to improve my mental attitude because I lost my rhythm after the interference I suffered in the first round. Fortunately, I managed to get back into a good rhythm at the end of the final and take third place with a great maneuver on a beautiful series wave. "
Célia Magras continued her apprenticeship in the junior category, claiming a podium place with every outing. In fact, this is her second podium in three months, following on from the "Territoire 64" open won last December.
In the junior boys' category, Louka Giraud made it all the way to the semi-finals. A great experience for the teenager who, last October, finished the French championships on the second step of the podium.
Ajoe manager David Blanchard was satisfied with the Open: "Out of three estimated podium chances, we came away with two super performances, in the top categories no less. We can congratulate the athletes and their coach Matthieu Granier, who prepared them well. It's a good start for our young surfers from Saint-Barth who are taking part in the French Open. "
The next hopeful surfing competition in Guadeloupe is scheduled for January 25 and 26, with the Open Territorial 1 organized by the Pirates Surf Club.