French waterman Tom Auber has completed one of the longest unassisted SUP foil downwinds on record, travelling 212.89 kilometres along the French coast in just 8 hours and 45 minutes. A new short film, captured and edited by Kilian Burac, documents the extraordinary challenge from Cap Gris-Nez in northern France to Cap de la Hève near Le Havre in Normandy.
Tom set off on July 12, 2026, covering 212.89 kilometres – or 114.95 nautical miles – at an average speed of approximately 24.3 kilometres per hour.
The French athlete had originally dreamed of crossing the English Channel. However, the logistics of travelling between two countries and the requirement for a dedicated support vessel made the project significantly more complicated.
Instead, he created a route along the French Channel coast which could be completed without assistance and with minimal environmental impact.
Tom began preparing several months before the attempt, with weather routing playing a crucial role in selecting the correct day. He estimated that the forecast and route planning represented around 60% of the challenge’s potential success.
Conditions were exceptional during the opening section, allowing Tom to cover the first 120 kilometres in approximately four hours without stopping.
However, the wind began to change direction around Dieppe as high temperatures influenced the forecast conditions. With more than half the journey already completed, Tom was forced to work harder and carefully manage his remaining energy.
He carried everything required for the journey on his board, including food, water, a radio, phone, GPS watch, distress flare and emergency sail. Despite the distance and changing conditions, he completed the full route without requiring assistance.
Tom eventually reached the beach at Sainte-Adresse, beneath Cap de la Hève, after 8 hours and 45 minutes on the water.
The achievement adds another chapter to an already impressive watersports career.
Tom is a former double French SUP race champion and European team champion. He finished third at a SUP World Cup event in 2022 and has since established himself internationally in wingfoil competition, finishing ninth in the 2025 world wave rankings.
Alongside racing, he hopes to continue developing as a SUP foil and downwind athlete, with future ambitions including the French downwind title and a top-five finish at the Downwind Foil World Championships in Hawaii.
The full journey has now been brought to life in a short film by Kilian Burac, following Tom through the preparation, fast opening kilometres and physical challenge of completing more than 200 kilometres under paddle and foil power.