Nicolas Capdeville possesses a contest resume that ninety percent of the worlds professionals would dream of having. Besides being a multi national champion in his home country of France, he won the world amateur championships in 1992 in front of his people, he made one Pipeline final, has several good GOB results and many more achievements.

Many in the bodyboarding world have misunderstood him, which is unfortunate. Most of that came, as he couldnt speak English very well and never conversed with anyone, not that he didnt want to. Once you get to know him you will find a confident man, one who knows his limits, is respectful of others and very giving. I spoke with him in his native tongue so he could express his feelings properly.

Sasaki: Nicolas, you've had a couple really good results here and you seem to reserve your best results for Pipeline. What's your impression of your results?
Capdeville: Well, if I knew I would have two good results, since it's been twelve years since I've been coming to Hawaii, I wouldn't have always had the attitude that Mike Stewart, Jeff Hubbard and Guilherme Tamega are above us. When I go in the water, especially in contests, everyone is on the same playing field and I just try to find the best waves, try not to put so much pressure on myself. Im a father now of a two year old, I have a surf school that is doing well and today I dont have pressure anymore from my sponsors. I'm free now, I do have sponsors but if tomorrow came and they were no longer there it wouldn't matter as I have my business now. Now, when I come to Hawaii I think Im a lot more relaxed.

KS: So you're here just relaxing and for your pleasure?
NC: It's really just pleasure; it's nice to find yourself at Pipe with three others during a heat. I'll still try to find the best waves and get a nice barrel and have that Pipeline memory.

KS: Just for pleasure but you're still going to try and win the event?
NC: Of course. I'll give my maximum but keep calm at the same time and enjoy, but I'll still try and win. Even if it's a hard heat I'll put all my power into it. Now I know its possible to win.

KS: It's at least ten years now since youve dominated the French bodyboard circuit. Are there others that are behind you?
NC: Actually it's now been fifteen years since I'm the number one ranked French rider. It's good and bad. If I'm still number one that means that there's not much behind me besides Cedric Dufaure who is my protege who comes from my hometown of Mimizan. The kids don't give themselves the means to progress and travel, it's a little unfortunate but that's also why I am still the best.

KS: It's taken the Europeans more than a few years to get some good international results. Why are they starting to have good showings?
NC: If the European level is strong and elevated now after being left behind by the Americans, Australians and Brazilians, it's because they really have the motivation to prove that there's good bodyboarders in Europe. David Perez is an example. It's reasons such as these they are doing better, I think Rui Ferreira is ranked really high at the moment along with Arritz Larrinaga, some French too. They have the need to prove they exist. It's also the reason they have "long teeth", kind of like the Brazilians in the beginning. They were left behind then they arrived in big numbers and then people started talking about them thanks to their riding.

KS: Why is bodyboarding in Australia so accepted and not yet in Europe?
NC: In Australia there's so many bodyboarders and it's in their culture to be in the ocean. There's so many surfers but there's so many bodyboarders too so it's becoming part of their culture as well. That's one reason why there's so many Aussies here on the North Shore and so many of them back home that really rip. I think that five years from now they will be the strongest on a world level as they are coming out in large groups. Sean Virtue, Ryan Hardy, Michael Epplestun, thanks to their level of riding has elevated bodyboarding in Australia. Back in Europe we need companies to back more bodyboarders, like Billabong backs bodyboarders in Australia. In France there aren't companies that help the young riders financially but the day the existing bodyboard companies start making money and back some athletes I'm sure we'll see more riders capable of competing on a world level. We have some small clothing companies now and there are also board manufacturers like Pride Bodyboards developing the market in France and that is a really positive thing. Still, we really need support and money to evolve the same way the Aussies have.

KS: Do you have any regrets in your career?
NC: No, none at all. Maybe last year, the Super Tour was just bullshit. Everyone talked about it, was motivated but there wasn't any money. It's just a name, nothing, no money, and no organization, shitty. To compete in Tahiti or Reunion you had to pay enormous money, just to win peanuts. It's not good and I think its unfortunate. I hope next year the GOB will come back with a good tour like two or three years ago, support bodyboarders, because the Super Tour is bullshit and they havent done anything for bodyboarding.

KS: What was your best contest result? Was it going really far at the Hoff Pro in Reunion, winning the World Amateur Championships at home against Brian Wise or was it last years performance at Pipe?
NC: My best memory was Reunion Island but the contest at Les Arches. I finished a respectable fifth but the waves were incredible and I clearly remember my heat against Eppo where I scored 29.5 out of 30, in a man on man heat. Its' my best competition memory. I lost to Tamega the next round. Waves were twelve feet and bigger.

KS: Do you have a message for French bodyboarders or bodyboarders around the world?
NC: You must be behind our sport, continue to travel a lot to continue to progress. Traveling allows you to see the Brazilians, Hawaiians and Europeans and get better. Just have fun.

NC: I would like to say a little closing word for Matthieu (Walbrou), David (Legleye) and Brett (Young) who I met this year in Indonesia; whenever I go surfing I have them in my mind. *

These young bodyboarders were tragically injured in automobile accidents last year.