Kauli Vaast
Kaali Vaast (born February 26, 2002)[1] is a French Polynesian professional surfer. He qualified for the 2024 Olympic games.[2]
| Kauli Vaast | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 26, 2002 Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia, France |
| Residence | Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, France |
| Height | 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lb) |
| Surfing career | |
| Sponsors | Red Bull, Quiksilver |
| Surfing specifications | |
| Stance | Goofy |
Early life
Vaast was born in Vairao. He has two younger siblings, a sister and a brother.[1] His sister, Aelan, is also a professional surfer.[3][4] 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.[5]
Career
Vaast is a three-time WSL European Junior Champion (2017, 2019, and 2020).[1][5]
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.[6] There, he advanced to the Round of 16, where he was defeated by Jérémy Florès.[7]
Vaast placed second in the Outerknown Tahiti Pro 2022, behind Miguel Pupo.[7]
In 2023, he made his first WQS win in Morocco, at the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay.[8]
Vaast qualified for the 2024 Olympics at the 2023 ISA World Surfing Games, defeating Spanish surfer Gonzalo Gutiérrez to claim the European slot.[9]
As a replacement for Ítalo Ferreira, who withdrew due to injury, Vaast placed fifth in the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro 2023, behind Leonardo Fioravanti.[10][7]
At the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games, Vaast won the bronze medal, placing behind Gabriel Medina and Ramzi Boukhiam.[11]
Vaast competed in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics men's shortboard event.[12]
Sponsorships
In 2024, Vaast was appointed as a brand ambassador for Dior.[13][14]
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
|
| 2018 | Papara Pro Junior Tahiti | Paparā, Tahiti | French Polynesia
|
| 2017 | Junior Pro Biscarrosse | Biscarrosse, Nouvelle-Aquitaine |  France
|
References
- ^ a b c "VAAST Kauli". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Aelan and Kauli Vaast Win 2022 Azores Pro Junior". World Surf League. 2022-10-15. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ Howell, August (2022-10-27). "Introducing: Teahupo'o's Next Woman In Line". Stab Mag. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ a b "Come meet Teahupo'o standout and gold medal favorite Kauli Vaast". Red Bull. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "Kauli Vaast wins 2019 Tahiti Pro Trials". SurferToday.com. August 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kauli Vaast Surfer Bio | Age, Height, Videos & Results". World Surf League. 2024-07-14. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "Hopkins, Vaast Claim Moroccan QS 3,000 Titles". World Surf League. 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Kauli VAAST". Paris 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Diderich, Joelle (2024-01-09). "EXCLUSIVE: Dior Taps French Surfer Kauli Vaast Ahead of Paris Olympics". WWD. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ Pierson, Dashel (2024-01-09). "Tahitian Surfer Kauli Vaast Joins French Fashion House Dior". Surfer. Retrieved 2024-07-29.