Justine Dupont

BIO
PHOTOS
VIDEOS

DOB: 27/08/91
Hometown: Lacanau
Other sponsors: FCS, Gorilla Grip, Sticky feet
Board Manufacturer: JS and Rob Vaughan (shortboard) Minvielle surfboard (longboard)
Stance: Regular

Justine Dupont burst on to the world surfing scene at the Longboard World Championships held in her native France in 2007. Back then, outside of her hometown of Lacanau, no one had heard of the 15 year old natural footer. That was until she started eliminating some of the best surfers in the world one-by-one, surfing with a smooth style and uncanny ability to read the ocean. By the time she made the final, the surfing world realised it had unearthed an amazing new talent.

Even back then Justine was riding all manner of surf craft. While she had learned to surf on a longboard after being given one of her older brother’s discards, she was also riding regular shortboards when the conditions were right. Then, as of now, it was simply a matter of being in the ocean and having the most fun possible. She’s often asked to choose which style of surfing she prefers, but for Justine it’s an almost impossible question. She simply loves to surf, no matter what is under her feet. It just so happens that no matter what the length of her board, she is one of the most talented surfers on the planet.

While a naturally a quiet peaceful girl out of the water, in the water her natural ability and affinity with the waves shines loud and clear. Added to this is a steely determination and a deeply personal need to test herself in challenging situations - be it massive waves in Hawaii, or in the face of high pressure competitive situations.

It’s no wonder then that these factors have combined to push Justine to the top of the European and International surfing stage. In longboarding, she has finished ranked 3rd in 2010 and 7th in 2011, all whilst ramping up her competitive commitment to the shortboard circuit. She won the ASP European Women's title in 2008 and finished runner up in the 2010 Billabong World Junior Championships held in Narrabeen Australia. In 2011 she backed that up by again clinching the European Title and in doing so booked her place in the elite top 17 women for the 2012 ASP World Tour.

And all this at the ripe age of 20. Justine is now simply looking to cement her place in the top 10 of women’s surfing. Eager to learn, and always willing to listen, she is concerning her immediate future with becoming a better surfer, and by travelling the world and experiencing as much as she can, a better person. But lurking behind all this is a real and increasing desire to reach the top, and by definition, become world champion. These are the real goals that the friendly French lass is setting herself.

In the interim she is simply going surfing and enjoying every second she has in the ocean. She says the best thing about surfing is the way she feels on each wave. Every session or wave is different, and she calls it the magic of surfing. Watch her surf, and you’ll see why.

Watch Justine's I surf Because video here: http://youtu.be/GwhMaAR4cZ0