Néis LARTIGUE
Surfer

Néis received a grant to finance her participation in professional surfing competitions. 

What is your sporting background ?
I started surfing at the age of nine. I very quickly got into competition, I won many national events until I became French Champion in 2016. This progression enabled me to join the French team and the national team with which I won various titles: World Team Champion in 2016, European Team Champion in 2018, World Relay Vice-Champion in 2018, Bronze Medal World Relay Championship in 2017, 5th place at the World Individual Championship in 2017 and 2018. I also won the Pro Junior on the European circuit twice, in 2017 and 2018. I am also the first and youngest ambassador of the national Handi-surf association.   

How do you see your profession today ?
If we look at the purely sporting aspect, I find that there is a constant and rapid progression of women's world surfing. This is very encouraging. It leads us all to excel but also to believe in what we do. From a structural and economic point of view, an evolution towards a certain parity seems to be emerging even if it is very timid.   

How do you see yourself in five years ? In 10 years ?
In five years, I would like to see myself alongside Teddy Riner, to walk with the French delegation for the Paris Olympics. Indeed, if I have the opportunity to continue training and above all to progress, I could then contemplate a selection for the Olympics in France, when I am 24 years old. But all this will only be possible if I am among the best in the world, playing on the WCT. In 10 years, it is obvious that if I succeed in my project, I will still try to represent France, but also and above all I will be there to pass the baton to the younger generation.

This interview was conducted in 2019
Photo credit: Amandine Besacier