Multiple World Surfing Champion Justine Dupont, renowned as one the best big wave surfers in the world, will be the godmother of the 2023 edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Alongside her surfing career she is fully committed to the protection of the environment, she shares many ideals with the principal event on the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship, as well as a love of the ocean which is common to the wider La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec community.
Shortboard, Longboard, Stand Up Paddle, Big Waves, Justine Dupont’s skills cross all the surfing disciplines and she has been a leading figure on the international circuits for many years. Latterly she has become a specialist in big waves and has conquered many of the world’s biggest and renowned breaks including Belharra and Nazaré.
She is an outstanding performer in towed surfing and one of the few women who compete equally against male counterparts. Along with her partner she features in the HBO series “100 Foot Wave”. Her multidisciplinary track record in competition, her personality and her exploits have prompted OC Sport Pen Duick to ask her to be godmother of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2023.
“It is a joy and an honor to be the godmother of such a prestigious event as La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. It’s great to be able to discover the world of professional sailing through this race. I like this balanced approach between performance and adventure, surpassing oneself and playing with the elements. I hope to have the opportunity to learn things and I look forward to being able to meet and learn more about the sailors who seem very friendly. I’m already a big fan and will be there to support them,” says Justine Dupont, who did some dinghy sailing when she was younger.
© Frederico Pompermayer
“Sailing was part of my waterborne education. My dad taught my brother, sister and me to swim, to bike and we went boating. I have swum and competed in athletics, but I prefer the changeable, unpredictable nature of the sea, the need to adapt. And I have also started to wingfoil and kiteboard. It’s a such vast playground out there where there are no real rules, there is a real feeling of freedom and a connection with nature, ”she continues.
“Gender doesn’t matter you are in enjoying and challenging yourself against others and the elements. If you have the ability and the desire you get out there and do it.” Says Dupont who will comment on the surfing events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“We are happy and proud that Justine has agreed to be the godmother of the 2023 edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. We share many things including our passion for the ocean and the need to act to better defend and preserve the sea.”
Comments Joseph Bizard, Managing Director of OC Sport Pen Duick.
Charlotte Yven (Skipper MACIF 2023), winner of the Transat Paprec with Loïs Berrehar (Skipper MACIF), who will take part in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2023, echoes Bizard’s sentiments
“It’s really great to have a female role model like Justine as the godmother of the race. It all chimes with all of the initiatives in sailing and watersports aiming to involve more women at any and every level. I think it’s cool to draw a parallel between the world of sailing and that of surfing, to be able to share ideas and passions for the two sports both related to the sea. I don’t know Justine personally but I follow what she does and I am convinced that she will be a great godmother for La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.”