Above the waves

These photos were taken during a magical session in crystal-clear water, at Pointe au Sel on Réunion Island where I live. The weather gods delivered up perfectly formed waves reaching 3 and a half meters, as well as incredible light. I was in good company in the water with Antoine Martin, a professional surfer, and Pierre Godet, a local surfer, and behind the lens, Cédric, the photographer who had the courage and talent to position himself inside the wave to capture these moments.

Hanging above a wave is a feeling that is difficult to put into words. It is both an incomparable adrenaline rush and a moment of total humility. I felt a certain sense of freedom, as if time had stopped, although without forgetting the power of the ocean, which made me realize how small we are in the face of nature. In those moments, I wasn’t in control of anything, I just let myself go with the flow, adapted, and let myself be carried away.

That day, I gave it my all and tried everything: committed turns, deep tubes that sometimes swallowed me whole, and airs. Some maneuvers worked, while others resulted in heavy wipeouts, with tons of water crashing down upon me. What made this session even more special was the way it was immortalized. My thanks go to Cédric – his images are not just photos – they convey the emotion of the moment. They allow me to relive that day and once again feel the mixture of excitement and pure joy.

Between the beauty of the spot, the camaraderie shared in the water, and the feeling of being at one with the ocean, this session will remain etched in my memory. Nothing compares to the intensity of those moments suspended above the waves of Réunion…