stay salty

Eric
Dargent

Growing up near the Mediterranean, Eric Dargent falls in love with surfing at the age of 9. At the beginning of 2011, he heads to Réunion Island, hoping to settle there with his family to enjoy world-class surf conditions year-round.

But in February, his life is abruptly turned upside down after being attacked by a shark during his daily session. Eric, 33 at the time, survives but his left leg has to be amputated above the knee. His indomitable love for life and passion for surfing help him reconstruct himself. His only goal is to surf again. He is back in the water before he could walk.

Over the following years, Eric invents, fine-tunes, and markets a prosthesis adapted to board sports. On top of it all, he also becomes a three-time Para Surf Vice World Champion and participates in seven World Championships.

STAY LIVING.

Nationality FRENCH Age 1978

HOMESPOT
Ponteau, Martigues, France

FAVORITE MOVE
I just love to carve. I shut off my brain and enjoy the glide.

DREAM WAVE
Each wave is dreamy to me. But if I must pick one, Teahupo’o. I’d like to go back there and learn how to properly read it.

3 REASONS TO GO SURFING
It’s good for your body, your mind, and you spend time with your friends. A true life balance.

BIGGEST INSPIRATION
Mother Nature.

FAVORITE MEAL
Nasi Goreng. It takes me right back to Indonesia.

“ Surfing turned into a true therapy. ”

Eric Interview

Can you tell us a bit more about your passion for Surfing?

I discovered surfing in Martigues near the Mediterranean. It quickly became a passion that has never left me. Whether it is through my travels, my friendships or my work, surfing is always present. And even when life's difficulties presented themselves, surfing turned into a true therapy. Today, it is my life balance. A happiness that I continue to cultivate.

You just won the lottery, what would you do first?

Ah, I never play the lottery! When I have a dream, I give everything to achieve it. Failures are inevitable but when it works, it's pure happiness.

Favorite expression?

“Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” - Oscar Wilde

“ When I have a dream, I give everything to achieve it. Failures are inevitable but when it works, it's pure happiness. "

What’s the most amazing thing you’ve experienced?

Being at the Élysée Palace wearing shorts in front of Presidents François Hollande and Emmanuel Macron to show prostheses.

What are you doing during a day without wave?

That's what often happens in the Mediterranean! Fortunately, we have a lot of wind, so I go wing foiling and surf the waves offshore. And if there is no wind, then I go skateboarding or mountain biking, I play pala... I always find something to do!