After seven months of off-season between recovery and training, Vahine Fierro is approaching 2026 with more maturity and confidence. The first Tahitian to win on the Championship Tour, she now fully embraces her identity and style. Technical progress, reinforced supervision with the help of the French Surfing Federation and Olympic ambition: the season promises to be one of confirmation.
The offseason has been very long since the last inspection in August last year. What did you do during the 7 months?
It happened as quickly as the blink of an eye. At the same time, it allowed me to breathe and prioritize my health. Then, I did training camps in strategic locations where I knew it would take me out of my comfort zone. And then, I also took a vacation to let everything I learned during these training periods settle.
You are approaching this new season of the Championship Tour with more experience. What state of mind are you in today?
Right now, as I’m doing this interview, I’m stressed. But with the experience I have now, I know it’s normal. I’m just excited to get back into competition mode.
Looking back, what did the Championship Tour teach you about yourself last year?
For years, I was inspired by Stephanie Gilmore, by Carissa Moore, by Tatiana Weston Webb. When I arrived on the tour, I realized that the world didn’t need a copy and paste of another Steph Gilmore, and that my difference is my strength. I am the first Tahitian to qualify for this round and I am writing my story at my own pace. And above all, it taught me that whether it goes the way I want, or not, competitive surfing is a facet that is added to my personality every day. This is what is most important.
Vahine Fierro concedes that commitment to competition and attendance at training are the keys to success. (© FFSurf)
What has evolved the most for you: surfing, mentality, or the overall management of your career?
Surfing, mentality, the management of my career, everything has evolved and above all everything has been reinforced with imminent results and also long-term construction.
The CT level is always denser. In your opinion, what makes the difference at the highest level today?
For me, today, it’s commitment and presence in each training session, in each series. This is what creates this different presence that you find at the highest level.
On which areas of progress have you worked the most in recent months to continue moving forward?
I was curious to work on new lines, practicing on air in particular. Thanks to the French Federation, I was able to do two swimming pool training camps to work in the air. I’m not saying that I’m going to do it straight away in competition but, with a little adrenaline, it will perhaps move into series.
You are one of the surfers capable of performing in challenging conditions, we are thinking in particular of reef waves like Teahupo’o or Pipeline. Is this an advantage on the current circuit?
Yes of course Teahupo’o is the place where I feel most comfortable, it’s home. Recently, I was able to discover Cloudbreak (Fiji) by going there twice during the off-season. It’s my favorite wave in the world, I love it. It can be small with performance surfing, or huge with different tube entries from Teahupo’o and Pipeline. And then, Pipeline remains my challenge… accepted.
Conversely, what types of waves or formats still require the most adaptation from you?
Disjointed waves with changes in rhythm, which requires rapid adaptation. This is what challenges me a little more.
Raised on reef waves, Vahine Fierro confides her enthusiasm to compete in Fiji on one of her favorite waves. (© WSL)
Which stage of the Championship Tour makes you dream the most?
 Waves like Backdoor Pipeline, Cloudbreak, where it’s always complicated to catch good waves because there are so many people in the water. On the Championship tour you can catch the waves of your life in series and, for me, that’s the absolute dream.
Which one are you most looking forward to seeing or discovering this season?
I can’t wait to find Snapper rocks. Last year Snapper ran out of sand with the huge swells leading up to the competition, and she was moved to Burleigh Heads. I actually love the Gold Coast. It’s hot, it’s a mix of nature and city, and I always feel good during this stage.
On which stage do you think you can perform best?
Teahupo’o! It’s home. I’m at home, sleeping in my house, in my own bed. I arrive at the spot with my jet-ski, I eat my favorite meals, I have my whole family around me. It’s funny because it has nothing to do with what I do in the water. But that’s how I work, the importance of feeling at home. It’s this feeling that I try to take as much as possible everywhere else.Â
Like last year with Thomas Maallem, Vahine Fierro will be able to count on the help and support of coaches from the French Surfing Federation to accompany her through the stages of the CT. (© WSL)
You are supported in your project by structured supervision with the French Surf Federation. What does this environment bring you concretely in your daily life and in your progress?
The support of the French Federation is precious. This year I wanted to have different support from last year because the tour is a busy program for the athlete, but also for a coach. Having this rotation between Jérémy (Florès), Thomas (Maallem), Joan (Duru) on the tour, it’s an environment of trust, and which at the same time will help me progress. There is Jérémy who is creative and who always sees things one step ahead; Thomas who has a critical eye to help me progress. Joan, it will be new for me to have him at my side, but when he was captain of the French team, he brought me his experience and his serenity. So I have complete support thanks to the French Surfing Federation.
This year, there will also be the ISA Worlds with a first Olympic quota at stake. What importance does the French team represent in your career and in your objectives?
The French team is my support, it is one of my biggest sponsors and it is my ticket to the Olympic Games. I think that says a lot.
Comments collected by Stéphane Sisco
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