Johanne Defay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johanne Defay |
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Johanne Defay at the 2016 US Open of Surfing
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 19 November 1993 Le Puy-en-Velay, France |
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| Residence | La Réunion, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 5.6 in (1.67 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 134 lb (61 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surfing career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best year | Ranked #3 WSL CT World Tour – 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsors | Wakanda, GoPro Cameras, Smith Optics, Superdry Surf Company, Smoothstar Skateboards, Tim Spirit, Seventyone Percent Skincare | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major achievements |
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| Surfing specifications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Natural (regular) foot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shaper(s) | Channel Islands | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Johanne Defay (born November 19, 1993) is a professional surfer from France. She was born in Le Puy-en-Velay. Johanne is an amazing athlete who has competed in many big surfing events. She even won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games!
Johanne started surfing when she was 8 years old. She learned on the beaches of Reunion Island, which is where she lives today. After her first competition at age ten, she quickly became a top amateur surfer in Europe. She then moved on to the World Qualifying Series (WQS).
In 2008, Johanne almost stopped competing. It was hard for her to move from junior competitions to the WQS. Also, many surf companies stopped their sponsorships because of money problems. Johanne found herself without sponsors and not getting good results. But her parents encouraged her to keep going. Within two years, Johanne qualified for the World Championship Tour!
She has won six major events on the World Surf League (WSL) tour. These include the Vans US Open of Surfing in 2015 and the Fiji Women's Pro in 2016. She also won the Uluwatu CT in 2018, the Jeep Surf Ranch Pro in 2021, the Quiksilver/ROXY Pro G-Land in 2022, and the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal in 2024.
Contents
Johanne Defay's Surfing Journey
Johanne Defay has had an exciting career in professional surfing. She has competed in many events around the world. Her hard work and talent have helped her achieve great success.
Early Career and Big Wins
Johanne quickly made a name for herself in the surfing world. She became the "Rookie of the Year" in 2014. This means she was the best new surfer on the World Championship Tour that year.
- In 2015, she won the Vans US Open of Surfing in California. This was a huge win for her.
- In 2016, she won the Fiji Women's Pro. This showed she could win in different types of waves.
- She continued to win big events, including the Uluwatu CT in Bali in 2018.
- In 2021, she won the Jeep Surf Ranch Pro in California. This event is held in a special wave pool.
- She won the Quiksilver/ROXY Pro G-Land in Indonesia in 2022.
- Her most recent win was the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal in 2024.
Olympic Success
Johanne Defay made history at the 2024 Olympic Games. She qualified to represent France in surfing. She competed fiercely and earned a bronze medal. This was a proud moment for her and her country.
Major Competition Results
Johanne has consistently performed well in top surfing competitions. Here are some of her best results:
- 2024: Bronze Medal at the Paris Olympics (held in Tahiti).
- 2016: Ranked 5th in the WSL World Tour.
- 2016: 1st place at the Fiji Women's Pro.
- 2015: 1st place at the Vans US Open of Surfing in California.
- 2014: Rookie of the Year, finishing 8th in the final rankings.
- 2013: 1st place at the France Champion Brétignolles sur Mer.
- 2013: Won both the Open European Champion and Junior European Champion titles.
World Championship Tour Victories
Johanne has won several events on the World Championship Tour (WCT). These are the biggest competitions in professional surfing.
| WCT Wins | |||
| Year | Event | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal | Supertubos, Peniche |  Portugal |
| 2022 | Quiksilver/ROXY Pro G-Land | G-Land, Banyuwangi |  Indonesia |
| 2021 | Jeep Surf Ranch Pro | Lemoore, California |  United States |
| 2018 | Uluwatu CT - Women's | Uluwatu, Bali | Indonesia |
| 2016 | Fiji Women's Pro | Namotu, Tavarua |  Fiji |
| 2015 | Women's Vans US Open of Surfing | Huntington Beach, California | United States |
