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Returning to the scene of their first exploits, in Le Moule, where the Banque Populaire French Elite Shortboard Surfing Open was held this weekend, the three Ajoe surfers got 2026 off to a good start. Anaïs Blanchard, competing in the women's event, finished second on the podium, while the Ledée brothers, Thomas and Noé, reached the semi-finals, with Noé finishing fifth overall.
This bodes well for the rest of the season, as the competition was fierce with national and continental champions coming to challenge the waves of Moulins. These waves are well known to surfers from Saint-Barthélemy. It is often here, in Damencourt, that the members of the Reefer Surf Club of Ajoe competed in their first competitions in the youth categories. And returning to this legendary spot for the French Shortboard Open was bound to be special for Anaïs Blanchard, who left with a silver medal around her neck: "We always want to win, but coming second is good too. I really liked the format of this open, with just girls, where we all know each other. It's a real pleasure to come back and surf here. During the events, I tried to position myself well in the water, but there was a lot of current and a lot of wind, so it was difficult. In the final, I had a few waves to show what I could do, but on one of them my leash got caught in my hand, which didn't help... Afterwards, the coaches gave me some advice, but without asking me to change the way I surf, which is important. In any case, a national podium to start the year, in Damencourt, is cool!"
Seven years away from Guadeloupe for Noé Ledée
For twins Thomas and Noé Ledée, the podium was one of their goals, but reaching the semi-finals is still an impressive achievement for the start of the season. Noé Ledée even took 5th place in the overall rankings, despite not having surfed in Guadeloupe for years: "I was hoping for victory, I was confident after scoring well, but unfortunately in the semi-finals I wasn't quite on my game and that cost me my place in the final four. For a comeback, it's still positive, I've worked hard on myself and it's paid off. And then, surfing good waves close to home is great, especially after seven years without seeing Guadeloupe and my friends here. It was very powerful! The Damencourt spot is where, as kids, my brother and I and the others competed in the Guadeloupe championships and cups. Those are great memories! Nothing has changed here: the waves are good, the vibe is good, and it's really enjoyable. This French Open is great training for the QS events that will punctuate my upcoming season, with the aim of reaching the Challenger Series, I hope."
Returning to a familiar environment, a supportive audience, and competitors who have become friends over the years is a real pleasure for these surfers, coached by David Blanchard. Blanchard had set a few individual goals for this competition and is pleased with this return to the roots of the main surfers from his Ajoe club: "They showed that they were fully present and active in their main series, which is essential. The choice of waves, maneuvers, and weather conditions was a bit of a lottery for all the competitors on the last day of competition... So, well, that's part of the game and you have to accept it, but overall, as their coach, I'm pretty happy and it bodes well for the rest of the season."
The rest of the season will involve a few days of rest in St. Barths for the three surfers from the Reefer Surf Club before they return to competition on the French and European circuits around March and April to earn as many podium finishes and points as possible in order to qualify for the pro surfing elite.
