RIDER FILES: RACHEL BONHOTE-MEAD
Swiss-Australian surfer Rachel Bonhote-Mead will line up in the Alaïa Surf Challenge when the first event of the Wavepool Surf Tour gets underway at Alaïa Bay on 1 August. A seven-time Swiss champion and former top-10 finisher at the ISA World Surfing Games, Rachel has spent a lifetime chasing waves across two continents. Now based in the Swiss Alps, she balances competitive surfing with family life, with Alaïa Bay just 43 minutes from home, making it possible to keep competing at the highest level.
How old are you, and where are you from?
I'm 43, although I still feel like I'm 26! I'm Swiss-Australian and have lived about half my life in each country. These days I'm based in Verbier in the Swiss mountains with my husband and two young kids, who are both starting to catch the surfing bug.
When did you start surfing?
I first started surfing when I was eight in Australia, but we didn't live close to the beach, so I'd only surf every couple of weeks. I really got into it when I was 20 and moved to the coast for six years before becoming landlocked again.
What's your local break?
These days it's Alaïa Bay. It's only a 43-minute drive from home, so that's as local as it gets.
Which wave pools have you surfed?
I've surfed Alaïa Bay, the old Surf Snowdonia pool in Wales, which I only visited because an ocean contest was cancelled due to no swell, and the Munich wave pool.
Which is your favourite?
Alaïa Bay... but I'm definitely biased!
What excites you most about the Wavepool Surf Tour?
I'm really excited about it. The biggest attraction is that everything is scheduled. There's no waiting period and no chance of huge waves, which I definitely don't have the fitness for anymore!
It fits around family life and work, and I'd happily travel to compete in wave pool events around the world.
Do you still compete?
Yes. I've won local Alaïa contests and also competed in Munich. I love competing and, believe it or not, one of my life goals is still to surf a WQS event.
I was a seven-time Swiss champion and finished eighth at the ISA World Surfing Games before having children.
The reality now is that with a full-time job, two young kids and living in a landlocked country, traditional ocean contests are really difficult. Waiting periods of five to seven days just aren't practical unless you win the lottery! Being part of a national team is also almost impossible with a young family.
That's why I think online wave pool competitions are such a great idea.
Where do you surf when you get back to the ocean?
Mostly France, Portugal and Australia during holidays.
Who supports your surfing?
I'm lucky to be supported by Main Design, who make amazing bikinis, and Lost Europe surfboards.
What board are you riding?
In the pool I'm riding a 5'6" Lost epoxy. As I've got older, I really appreciate the extra flotation in fresh water. You definitely notice the difference after surfing in the ocean.
In the sea I ride a 5'7" Lost Driver 3.0 PU.
Do wave pools make you a better surfer?
Absolutely. I know plenty of people are against them, but they make me happy. My husband actually calls Alaïa Bay my therapist!
I also love that you can work on your weaknesses. Mine was always my backhand. I avoided lefts for years, and that definitely held me back in contests. Being able to repeat the same wave over and over makes a huge difference.
Who are your favourite surfers?
Kelly Slater and Carissa Moore.
The Tour counts your two best waves, with opportunities to improve them. What's your strategy?
I'd probably back my forehand and go for strong turns with a barrel. I'd also want to see what the judges are rewarding and build my strategy around that. Maybe it's the first big turn, maybe it's something else. It'll be fun to work it out.
Anything else?
I honestly can't wait. This format opens competition to so many surfers who simply can't commit to traditional waiting-period events anymore, and I think that's really exciting.
Ready to take her on?
Entries for the Alaïa Surf Challenge are now open. Register today, surf against Rachel and athletes from around the world, and begin your own journey on the Wavepool Surf Tour. Win your division, qualify for the World Final and take the first step towards winning a Wavepool Surf Tour title.
Register here - Alaïa Surf Challenge
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Read more:
Rider Files: Mahohi Nguyen Tang
Hong Kong's young goofy-footer Mahohi Nguyen has already surfed wave pools in Europe and Asia, competed internationally and travelled the world in search of waves. Next on his list is the Wavepool Surf Tour.
