On top of the podium

At the age of just 20, Benoit Merceur has won his first major championship, is an up-and-coming racer at home on the French tour, and is an aspiring engineer.

Here are some insights about Benoit in his own words.

Stepping onto the top of the podium
I was very happy to win this competition because it shows me that the work I do during the year is paying off. It also shows that my current equipment is working very well. Ultimately, I hope it will get me suited to join PWA events in the future. Throughout the whole event, I used my 8.6 Mach and my 83 ISonic 2021 with a 43 Chopper.

International events
I’ve been to several IFCA Championship before. I did the IFCA Junior World in 2017 (7th) and the IFCA Youth world in 2018 (14th). But this event in Garda one was the only event windy enough I did for three years. I also do the AFF tour in France, which is the senior French championship and the youth slalom french championship, where I ended 2nd the last two years.

Student life
I am in engineering school ( INSA Rennes) in Britanny. This school allows athletes to make their own calendars so that they can train as much as they need. Personally, it allows me to train on the water at least four times a week on the water, and the same for physical training.

Foil or fin
I really like the two disciplines, especially foil when the wind is gusty and/or shifty. But when the conditions are stable, I prefer fin because I really like being fully powerered while being in contact with the water.

Home ground
Until this year, I sailed in Sanguinet, a lake near Bordeaux, in the South West of France. But now I am in Brittany so I train in Brest most of the time.

More Severne news

location feature – Club vass

location feature – Club vass

Operating for more than 30 years, Club Vass Active Holidays has been offering the ultimate windsurfing holiday since 1987. One of the biggest windsurf centers world-wide, Club Vass offers perfect conditions for all levels including kids, a huge selection of brand new equipment, unparalleled instruction, and a great atmosphere.

read more
Choosing the right board – the style guide

Choosing the right board – the style guide

Severne Team Rider and Coach Simon Bornhoft, takes us through an overview of all the different board styles categories to help you build the foundations of choosing exactly the right type of board for you and your quiver.

read more
Margaret River Wave Classic 2023 delivers nuclear winds followed by a classical sunset final session

Margaret River Wave Classic 2023 delivers nuclear winds followed by a classical sunset final session

Margaret River delivered nuclear winds followed by a classical sunset session for this year’s “Margaret River Wave Classic”.
Once again, local legend Scott McKercher @smiksup put together some insane rides to claim the win in the open fleet ahead of Bastian Escofet and Hendrix Stone.

The youth fleet was a tight battle between local grommets Jake @jake_ghiretti and Oliver @oliver.desforges . This time, Jake took the win with some impressive riding throughout the whole day.

read more
Margaret River Wave Classic 2023

Margaret River Wave Classic 2023

The 2023 Margaret River Wave Classic in Western Australia will happen this year from January 26-29.

Severne is proud to support this year’s event, and to see competition wave action return to “margs”.

The Margaret River Wave Classic 2023 will go ahead as a IWT** tour stop.

read more