April 1, 2025

Spring Wave Session in Cannes

A Windsurf Story from Ezio Papalia

East Wind Fury in Cannes: A Magical Moment on the Water - a windsurf story from Ezio Papalia

Recently, a powerful east wind swept across the beaches of Cannes, reaching over 40 knots. The forecast had hinted at epic conditions, but as always in the Mediterranean, you never truly know until the last moment.

I seized the opportunity to test my brand-new 2025 NP Combat Pro Fuse 3.7. Despite my excitement, the strong current made me a bit nervous. At first, there were no real waves, but the water surface provided perfect ramps for high jumps. With my JP Ultimate Wave 75L and the 3.7 Combat Pro Fuse, I spent the first 45 minutes focusing on going as high as possible. The powerful wind created near-vertical takeoffs, and the board’s lift made the flights even more spectacular.

A Magical Moment

Suddenly, I spotted a bigger wave forming offshore—about two meters high, with open, clean lines. Without hesitation, I sailed upwind and prepared for my bottom turn. As I ascended toward the lip, the wave face remained perfectly vertical. I executed a fluid, fast cutback—an everyday maneuver for a pro, but for me, a moment of pure magic.

After catching a few more waves, something clicked: I had shifted from a defensive mindset to a creative one. Back at the ramps near the beach, I decided to go for a forward loop. The jump was massive—so high that I hesitated mid-rotation to avoid over-rotating. I landed on my back but instantly knew: I could push my rotations even further. After another 45 minutes of loops, fatigue set in, and I decided to stop before losing focus and risking injury.

The Biggest Lesson

Back on the beach, I couldn’t stop smiling. Our photographer Patrick had captured some of my best jumps. As I packed up my gear, I realized that one wave had changed everything—from cautious survival mode to full creative expression.

The biggest takeaway from this session? More often than not, it’s not external factors but our own expectations that hold us back. But when we take the time to find our rhythm, we can unlock our full potential—and experience truly magical moments.

Text: Ezio Papalia

Photo: Patrick Hubner @patricksurf888