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Kauli Vaast

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French surfer from French Polynesia
Kauli Vaast
Personal information
Born (2002-02-26) 26 February 2002 (age 22)
Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
ResidenceTeahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Height176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight70 kg (154 lb)
Surfing career
SponsorsRed Bull, Quiksilver
Surfing specifications
StanceGoofy
Medal record
Men's surfing
Representing  France
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Shortboard
World Games
Silver medal – second place 2023 La Bocana Team
Silver medal – second place 2024 Arecibo Team
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Arecibo Men

Kauli Vaast (born 26 February 2002) is a French professional surfer from French Polynesia. He qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games, where he won the gold medal in the men's competition.

Early life

Vaast was born in the town of Vairao on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. He has two younger siblings, a sister and a brother. His sister, Aelan, is also a professional surfer. Vaast first rode on a surfboard with his father when he was four years old, and began surfing on his own when he was six. When he was eight, Vaast surfed Teahupo'o for the first time, and won a local surfing competition, motivating him to train competitively as a surfer in France.

Career

Vaast is a three-time WSL European Junior Champion (2017, 2019, and 2020).

In 2019, Vaast was victorious against Hawaiian surfer Tyler Newton at the 2019 Tahiti Pro Trials, winning a wildcard appearance at Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o 2019. There, he advanced to the Round of 16, where he was defeated by Jérémy Florès.

Vaast placed second in the Outerknown Tahiti Pro 2022, behind Miguel Pupo.

In 2023, he made his first WQS win in Morocco, at the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay.

Vaast qualified for the 2024 Olympics at the 2023 ISA World Surfing Games, defeating Spanish surfer Gonzalo Gutiérrez to claim the European slot.

As a replacement for Ítalo Ferreira, who withdrew due to injury, Vaast placed fifth in the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro 2023, behind Leonardo Fioravanti.

At the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games, Vaast won the bronze medal, placing behind Gabriel Medina and Ramzi Boukhiam.

Vaast won the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics men's shortboard event.

Sponsorships

In 2024, Vaast was appointed as a brand ambassador for the French fashion brand Dior.

Results

Victories

WQS Wins
Year Event Venue Country
2023 Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay Anchor Point, Taghazout Bay  Morocco
Juniors Tour
Year Event Venue Country
2020 Junior Pro Espinho Espinho, Porto  Portugal
2019 Caparica Surf Fest Junior Pro Praia de Caparica, Lisbon  Portugal
2019 Papara Pro Junior Tahiti Paparā, Tahiti  French Polynesia ( France)
2018 Papara Pro Junior Tahiti Paparā, Tahiti  French Polynesia ( France)
2017 Junior Pro Biscarrosse Biscarrosse, Nouvelle-Aquitaine  France

Awards and honours

Orders

References

  1. ^ "VAAST Kauli". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  2. "2023 ISA World Surfing Games: these surfers qualified for Paris 2024". Olympics.com. June 7, 2023. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  3. "Aelan and Kauli Vaast win 2022 Azores Pro Junior". World Surf League. 2022-10-15. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  4. Howell, August (2022-10-27). "Introducing: Teahupo'o Next Woman In Line". Stab Mag. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  5. ^ "Come meet Teahupo'o standout and gold medal favorite Kauli Vaast". Red Bull. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  6. "Kauli Vaast wins 2019 Tahiti Pro Trials". SurferToday.com. August 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  7. ^ "Kauli Vaast Surfer Bio | Age, Height, Videos & Results". World Surf League. 2024-07-14. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  8. "Hopkins, Vaast Claim Moroccan QS 3,000 Titles". World Surf League. 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  9. "Gold Medals, Olympic Qualification and Incredible Surfing for 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games Finals Day". International Surfing Association. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  10. Eckardt, Jade (2023-08-04). "WSL Names Vahine Fierro as Wildcard, Kauli Vaast to replace Ferreira in Shiseido Tahiti Pro". Surfer. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  11. Curbelo, Santiago (2024-03-04). "Medina Takes Brazil to Team World Championship, Fitzgibbons Wins Unprecedented Fourth Gold Medal at 2024 ISA World Surfing Games". International Surfing Association. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  12. "Kauli VAAST". Paris 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  13. Diderich, Joelle (2024-01-09). "EXCLUSIVE: Dior Taps French Surfer Kauli Vaast Ahead of Paris Olympics". WWD. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  14. Pierson, Dashel (2024-01-09). "Tahitian Surfer Kauli Vaast Joins French Fashion House Dior". Surfer. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  15. "Décret du 23 septembre 2024 portant nomination dans l'ordre national de la Légion d'honneur". 23 September 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.

External links

Olympic Surfing Shortboard Champions – Men's
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