Surfing: France tests Olympic venue ahead of LA 2028

It's a protected stretch of coastline tucked away from view, and the only way to access it is by foot. Trestles Beach, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, is widely considered California's ultimate surf spot. I've been lucky enough to surf this spot several times, but never in competition. So this is a first for me, and I'm really happy to get this opportunity. The French national surfing team is here for a training camp, built around a competition at the very spot that will host the Olympics in two years' time. Among those hoping to qualify, Olympic champion Kaoli Vast, Vahiné Firault, Marco Mignot, and the group's youngest member, Tia Zabrowsky. They're putting in some serious training at this location, which is often described as surfing's answer to a skate park. Relatively easy to ride, but perfect for showing off impressive technical skills. It really suits my style of surfing. I do a lot of aerials, and I can put together some really nice combinations. This wave gives you whatever you want. Leading the French team is Jérémy Flores, who is hoping to build on the momentum of the Paris Games, where France won two medals. We've got an incredible staff with a lot of experience. The goal here was really to test everything, the accommodation, a chef, just to see what works, and put them in the best possible conditions. The advantage is that the athletes already know each other really well, so the atmosphere and team chemistry are fantastic. At the Olympics, we're all together, even if we're competing against each other in a heat. Outside the water, there's a real team spirit. We're a family, so being able to recreate that now, so there are no surprises, and we already know what works if we qualify, it's great. It'll make everything much easier. The road to Los Angeles 2028 is still long, but the team spirit is already here, and so is the ambition. Paul Ivas has every intention of being back in California in two years' time to defend his Olympic title.