Chloé Calmon: Riding the wave of a lifetime

Feature image by the amazing Fellipe Ditadi

A legend in the making

“I am so happy to start 2017 with such a good result. It was my first time in Papua New Guinea and the waves were perfect. I think it’s the best result I’ve received in a contest so far.”

As a member of the Roxy family, Chloé’s roots run deep in the water. With her fluid gentle strides, a goofy-footed style, positive personality and an overwhelming desire to surf, she lives and breathes the sport. After surfing around the world with Roxy and other sponsors, this young surfer is one of the favourites when discussing the world title. Alongside trips to Chinese surf spots renowned for their endless waves and recent ventures to the Pacific islands, Chloé’s world is ever expanding.

Chloé celebrates her PNG victory Photo by Tim Hain

A rising star: Taking number one at the WLC

Be sure to give Chloé a follow on her instagram

“I went on a helicopter ride above the beaches, watched a few local music and dance concerts, shared a few waves with the locals on their wooden boards – I can definitely say this was a wonderful trip!”

Sparked by the energy of Papua New Guinea’s tropical paradise, Chloé was delighted to hang out with the locals and make new friends while learning about new cultures as, for her, this is what she most values when traveling. Making history at the debut surfing event held on the island’s waves was a huge pleasure for Chloé. Her long-awaited breakthrough triumph has put her in a good position for the year ahead and will see her tearing up the waves along the coastlines of many more destinations to come.

Love at first wave

“I learned so many things out at sea that I think would be especially beneficial to youngsters.” Taking away those sub-culture influences that shape today’s adolescents, Laura wants to show how simple life can be – although acknowledges that while out at sea it isn’t always easy. She hopes that by shrinking down the fundamentals of life to core elements like the weather and what next course to align the boat to, the crew will learn new life lessons.

Chloé’s love of surfing began with her father. He had been riding waves for over 40 years and when Chloé was born couldn’t wait to get her out on the water. “I can’t remember exactly how old I was when I got my first wave, but I have pictures of myself as a baby on his longboard!” Her parents had taught her and her younger sister how to swim at a young age, building a strong confidence and love of the ocean that would fuel her desire for the rest of her life. She was only 11 years old when she won her first surfboard, a funboard. Funboards typically have a rounder body with a wider width, which is great for beginner surfers as the shape makes them more stable and forgiving.

Chloé’s first wave, assisted by her father

It was a year later when she borrowed her father’s longboard, which she never gave back. “It was love at first wave,” she says while reminiscing. With a competitive drive, it wasn’t long before she turned professional at the age of 14. Being the youngest competitor in the national championships, Chloé showed a talent for longboarding that had her picked up by Roxy just a week after she finished second place in the national rankings. She has now been a part of the Roxy family for eight years. A family that, she says, has made surfing not just a sport, but a way of living that connects the ocean and people together. She describes the longboard community as one big family as well; even on days when the sea is flat, the surfing neighborhood will be hanging out together.

“I was blessed to surf on so many good waves and in some pretty magical places – but nothing beats the feeling of coming home after a trip and surfing my homebreak where I learnt to surf.”

Chloé rides down the Qiatang River photo by WSL

With her mum by her side and her dad as her manager and coach, Chloé has had the opportunity to travel to amazing locations to compete. One of her most memorable trips was when she went to China at 16 to surf the ‘Silver Dragon’, which is a tidal bore wave at Qiatang River in the city of Hangzhou. She had never imagined that she would go to China to surf and being able to surf a wave for minutes at a time, amongst buildings and onlookers from the streets was a “crazy experience” she says.

Although she is in a highly competitive sport, it is only the contests she takes seriously. The longboard competitive scene is a lot lighter than others like the championship and big wave tours. After the heats, all the competitors will hang out together, reinforcing the tight-family community that makes the surfing lifestyle so unique. Outside the water, Chloé is mainly with her family. As an active person, she maintains her athletic figure with loads of exercise and when she’s not training – she likes nothing better than to get creative and draw on her boards.

An exciting year ahead

Claiming Chloé by Fellipe Ditadi