Kauli Vaast, le prodige du surf Tahitien !

For the Vast, gliding is a family affair. Kaoli, Aylan and Naiki live with their parents in Tahiti. On the island, everyone knows them. It's the children who surf Teahupo, one of the most beautiful waves in the world. Aylan, she tries to apply herself, to make beautiful curves. Naiki, he's everywhere, he's up, he's down, he takes all kinds of waves. Kaoli, he's a competitor. At 17 years old, Kaoli is the eldest. He is a champion of Europe Junior and is already starting to shine on the professional circuit. I put myself in focus and I managed to reach my goal. This year, Kaoli had an exceptional year in competition. Results that make him one of the future hopes of French and even world surf. Immersion in the life of the prodigy of Tahitian surf. When he is not in competition, Kaoli lives with his brothers and sisters on the Kila Press in Tahiti, where he leads a completely normal life. These two parents are teachers. At the vast, we do not joke with the school. So, the school, you're going to be good today? And Naiki, no words in the notebook. Competitions keep Kaoli away from home for nearly six months a year. With the Internet, etc., we have the means to get him to continue school. This year is the BAC, it will be more difficult, but he is able to do both. We are fully in school and especially my parents, they do not want me to give up. Me neither, I want to continue in studies and all. It's not just about surfing. Have a good day. Like any parent, we are proud of his children when they succeed. After, we have a daily life and we try to get as close as possible. The daily life of the vast children is still well rhythmed by the waves. From the end of school, we go by boat, because the family lives almost feet in the water. In Tahiti, the conditions of surfing are magical. It's hot, we are in swimsuits, in swimsuits. There are easy waves for all levels and it is true that surfing is a must for all young people here, I think. At 17 years old, Kaoli is a true surf agro, just like his sister Aylan and his little brother Naiki. Since I was a child, I have always loved the sea. When I can go with my little brother, my little sister, my father, my mother, with the family, we are all together. And then it always makes me feel good when I'm in the sea and especially surfing perfect waves. The perfect wave is this one, Teahupo. This is where Kaoli grew up and has been surfing since he was younger. I have the chance to live in front, to surf all year long since I was a child. When I went there for the first time, I was 8 years old and I started surfing there. It was very small, there was a beautiful sun. It is the most perfect wave, it is round, it offers a gigantic tube sometimes. That's what I like and then the perfection too, the mountains behind are so beautiful. This is also where other surfers are noticed, like the young prodigy with the helmet. I have the only pink helmet in Teahupo, well orange. So we know it's me and we can recognize me. And then this year at Tahiti Pro, he reveals himself in competition. When he wins the trial phases, he eliminates one of the best surfers in the world. Kaoli then signs his entry into the court of the greats. It was like a boost, the pro surfers know me a little bit, they are nice, they are all nice. Kaoli regularly travels to the metropolis to train. He comes to the Landes to meet his coach Vincent. And also to face other waves, a little smaller and a little colder. And for his training today, we meet a surfing star. This is the crazy spot. He came to the water anyway. Hi. How are you? Frankly, it's nice. A few flat lefts. It's a left? Yes, it's a left. It's the kind of conditions where it's a bit in all directions, storm and everything. But it's good for training. It's Kaoli who chooses the spot. When we let Kaoli choose the spot, we find ourselves in the worst spot of Seniors. Basically. Jeremy Flores is one of the best in his discipline. He is the first Frenchman to win the Quick Pro in Osgore in 2019. The only French stage of the professional circuit. A source of inspiration for Kaoli. It's a good comfort for me. We are always together. And then it's beautiful. It's Jeremy Flores who sits next to you. We have a session together. Simply beautiful. Both of them offer each other a nice session, despite the disordered waves. The advantage of this kind of training is that, even though the conditions are a bit difficult, you always have to be active, stay in contact with the ocean. It's true that he is used to surfing perfect waves at home. But here, it's multiple waves. It's never the same waves. Kaoli is only 17 years old, but his surfing is very promising. He arrives quickly on a session to adapt to the conditions. There is always work to do. That's what is very interesting about him. He is able to enjoy a very nice tuba-tupo. The next day, he arrives on the plane. He arrives here. He manages to love surfing 80-centimeter waves. We fall under the rain. Well done, Kaoli. Choice of the spot. He has already grown well. I think he's already starting to gain experience, to do competitions in all kinds of waves. He has shown that he was by far the best European junior. The good thing is that he manages to adapt well. He is very strong in big waves, very strong in small waves too. Tomorrow, I'll take you there. Let's go. We're going to surf. While his career is about to take off, Kaoli has the chance to be surrounded by the greatest surfers in the world. When he spends time in the lands, he stays at Patrick Beaven's, a true surf guru. Hey, Kaoli. How are you? Not good? Yeah, and you? So, how did you surf this morning? I surfed in the dark this morning. That's good, you're on the right track. I think you have to keep it up. Patrick is the boss. He's the one who has the water and the gravel. Everyone respects him. He is respected by everyone. He's nice. He leaves the waves. It's great. We saw each other when we were younger, when we were the same age. Kaoli and all that. We really liked surfing, the surfing community, having fun. When you see Kaoli having fun, that's what you listen to. It's also a moment of relaxation, because when I go to Patrick's, it's sometimes between two competitions. I spend a week at Patrick's to calm down. And then I go back to Vincent's for a week to focus on training and then go to the competition. The competition occupies a big place in Kaoli's life. Direction Taiwan for the World Championships. This is the most important for the juniors. This is where you have to go full throttle. The one who accompanies him is Vincent Guelfy, his coach. He follows him all over the world. First series. Not long now. 15 minutes. Present at each competition since its inception, he is his best support. It's very important, this atmosphere, to get to know each other well, to be close. It's also very important for the results, because you have confidence in him, he has confidence in you, and then it goes on its own. Kaoli dominates his first series and wins the third round. But the joy will be short-lived. He is in the quarter-finals against another Frenchman, Justin Becquet. It was really hard to get the good waves there. Justin got two good ones. I was trying to get the same. But it was really super hard to get the good ones. Kaoli finishes the race in 5th place. Despite the disappointment, the European champion will not give up. Kaoli intends to continue his progress in the coming years. The one we call the little prince of Tahiti has dreams and ambitions in his head. Since surfing is now going to be in the Olympic Games, being an Olympic champion would be huge. It's a dream too. I love to travel, I love to discover, I love to surf. That's what I want to do. It's the dream.