As the 2025 Championship Tour approaches, the combination of veteran surfer Jeremy Flores and rookie Marco Mignot could signal the rise of a new wave of European talent in professional surfing.
Flores, a former Quiksilver “Young Gun,” made history as the first European surfer to make a significant impact on the global stage. Under the mentorship of 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, and alongside other surfing greats like Dane Reynolds and Julian Wilson, Flores quickly earned a reputation for his intense competitive spirit and fearless approach to the sport. Inspired by his hero Andy Irons, Flores claimed victories at some of the world’s most challenging waves, including Pipeline and Teahupo’o.
Since retiring from full-time competition in 2021, Flores has embraced his new role as a mentor, ready to pass on his wealth of experience to the next generation. One surfer poised to benefit from his guidance is Mignot, the young French talent who secured his spot on the 2025 Championship Tour after a standout performance at the 2024 Challenger Series. Mignot clinched the title at the Corona Saquarema Pro, and although he narrowly missed out on the U.S. Open title, he finished as runner-up to fellow Quiksilver rider and CT rookie Al Cleland. With his confidence soaring, Mignot is now focused on making his mark in the sport’s upper ranks.
Despite representing France, Mignot’s background is more complex. Holding both French and Canadian passports, he spent much of his early years traveling the Australian and Tasmanian coasts by boat, making the ocean his playground rather than the land. Though he now calls Sayulita, Mexico, home, his roots stretch across several surf cultures.
Mignot is currently training alongside Cleland and Flores in a shared house on the North Shore of Hawaii, where the trio’s camaraderie is evident. Flores’ decades of experience are invaluable as he imparts lessons learned from his years on tour, helping Mignot refine both his technique and mindset ahead of his CT debut.
“You’ve put in the work, you’re ready,” Flores tells Mignot, reinforcing the young surfer’s confidence.
As the trio discusses Mignot’s surfboard setup, it’s clear the rookie’s focus is on simplicity and reliability. Mignot favors boards ranging from a 6’8” for bigger conditions to a 5’11” for more punchy waves, all crafted by Australian shaper Jason Stevenson. For Mignot, trusting in his equipment means one less thing to worry about as he prepares for his big debut.
In turn, Flores provides steady guidance, calming Mignot’s nerves and reinforcing important decisions. His status as one of the best tube riders in the sport lends weight to his advice, offering a sense of security and confidence for Mignot.
With swell on the horizon and the 2025 Championship Tour just around the corner, Europe may soon have a new surf star. With the mentorship of Jeremy Flores and his own fierce talent, Marco Mignot is ready to step up and make waves on the world stage.
Related topics
- Caity Simmers’ ‘Blouse’ Highlights Her World Champion Talent
- The Man Behind the Magic Blue Van That Survived LA Fires
- Ryan Callinan Joins Julian Wilson’s Rivvia Projects