France's Johanne Defay first learned to surf on Reunion Island, France's other idyllic, tropical surf destination, albeit in the Indian Ocean.
Competing since before she was a teen, Johanne cut her teeth surfing in European amateur events, before turning her attention to qualify for the Championship Tour.
Growing up surfing a left reef pass, a reef considered one of the best in the world; supplied an influential role in shaping Johanne's powerful and explosive surfing as well as her backside tuberiding approach. An approach evident in the locations at which she's won major Championship Tour events: Uluwatu, Cloudbreak, and G-Land, all hollow left reef passes.
Along with teammate Vahine Fierro, going into the 2024 Games, Johanne will be a fan favorite for the Olympic's host nation this year, and more than capable of taking the event out.