Meet Red Bull Rising Athlete Tim Boal

The stylish natural footer, with a mix of French, Irish and Caribbean blood coursing through his veins, looks set for a mammoth year on the WQS. With Red Bull Rising's support, combined with a pure, almost freaky talent, his last year's best ever WQS ranking of 43 is set to be eclipsed in 2008. It's not a question of if, but when, for this true waterman. “It was the best week of my life”, said Tim Boal about participating at the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp last January. Boal’s wins include the 2007 Reef Vendee, 2004 Peniche Rip Curl Pro and he was Vice-European champion in 2007. A keen waterman, Boal grew up on sailboats and spent all the time he had surfing, swimming and body boarding. While his sailing ability resulted in winning two French National Championships in the Optimist class, surfing stayed his real passion. After winning his first European pro juniors comp in 2004, he has never looked back. “I just try and have fun”, he says modestly. Other surfers might be content to hold his high WQS ranking of 43, but 24 year old Boal is itching to get ripping for the 2008 series. Boal’s structured training schedule includes surfing, core strength, weights and golf. While he recalls with glee a session in solid 12 ft swell at Sunset as the biggest wave he’s ever surfed, Boal said that his beloved Hossegor is the break he’d choose to surf every day.