Watch: Juliette Lacome’s Pacific Vision

If you haven’t heard of Juliette Lacome yet, you’ve been watching the wrong parts of surfing.

Besties with surfing greats at only twenty years of age and hailing from our favourite French town Biarritz, Juliette has solidified herself well and truly on our radar. With the release of Pacific Vision by Hayden Garfield alongside Steph and Coco today, we got a quick spiel from the lady herself on what it’s like to be living the life most people’s best version of a dream would be.

Tell us about Pacific Vision how did it come about?

I didn’t really have any plans at the start. I knew I was going to be in Hawaii for two months, and I just wanted to be productive. I got linked up with my friend and talented filmer Hayden Garfield, then just had a few fun surfs with the girls and that’s how Pacific Vision came to life haha. No plans just good times filming and hanging with everyone. 

How did you get to be in the company of Stephanie Gilmore and Coco Ho in the first place?

I was fortunate enough to meet Steph when I was thirteen. Every time she came to France, we would go surfing and hang out. She has always been my favourite surfer just because of her style and everything she has achieved. She taught me a lot, and now we’re still hanging out and surfing whenever we get to see each other. Coco is my sister, my family on the road, my psychologist, and the list goes on… Ha-ha. We have been travelling together for a few years now. She is the best! Always been here for me and always pushes me to spend more time in the water and eat healthily, which isn’t that bad, ha-ha.

You’re not secretly cousins with Kelly Slater or something, are you?

Definitely not, ha-ha! I’ve said hi to him once or twice… He is the goat, though… Kinda wish I was, ha-ha.

So you lived with the Ho family while in Hawaii?

Yes, I’ve spent the past two winters with the Ho Fam. I’m very grateful for that because there are the best humans I know! I have always been really close with Coco; she is like a big sister to me. We can spend two months together and just surf, chill and eat all day. Sometimes (most of the time), we tease each other but never fight. It’s always a good time to hang with Mason and his girlfriend, and Uncle Mike is a legend and one of my favourite surfers. I’m glad I get to hang with them all and learn from the best.  

Did you get any special treatment paddling out with them? Like called onto waves or anything?

Yes, they do! I’m pretty shy in the lineup when I’m not surfing around home. Every time I surf with them, I know I if sit by them, I will have more chances of getting a wave. Especially in Hawaii, I have a hard time catching waves because, literally, the whole surfing industry is in the water whenever you surf, Ha-ha. Always good to have Coco yelling at me whenever a fun one comes.

How’s the French winter going?

I haven’t really spent much time around France this winter. To be honest, I think it’s one of my favourite seasons though—no one around and pumping waves but it can be challenging sometimes with the cold. You get used to it, though.

Is competition surfing or free surfing of bigger interest to you?

I don’t know where am I at the moment. I’ve been doing comps for the last seven years, but I took a break from competitive surfing after an injury last summer. I just started my free surfing journey with an upcoming movie project, but I will be back into the comps next season for sure. I just needed some time away from the industry and everyone just to think about the future, surf some fun waves and get some clips.

Indo, Hawaii, France. When are you coming out to Australia?

I haven’t been to Australia since Covid, but it’s one of my favourite places to compete. I just love the vibe. I will definitely come back soon.

As an up-and-coming surfer, what do you want to see more of in the surf world?

More fun. Since surfing at the Olympics is a thing, there has been so much pressure coming from everywhere that I feel like most of us forgot the reason why we started surfing. Of course, you need to work hard and stuff, but I don’t know, that’s how I feel.  

What do you want to see less of?

Less social media and judgment. I feel like social media became such a big thing that it all comes down to it now, but who am I to change the world? Ha-ha.

Future plans?

I’m going to be travelling around Europe and North Africa for the next few months. Maybe hop on a trip with Coco this summer and get back on the competitive program before the 2023/24 season starts. Or maybe just stick to free surfing because I’m really starting to like it. More creativity and fun, but I’ve always been competitive, so we will see.