Watch: Steph, Coco, And Juliette Cross Blades In Hawaii

Connections, introductions, nods, winks.

At times they’re more potent than talent, effort, or, god forbid, merit. You could toil in obscurity, polishing your tiny little diamond of skill, while someone with the right surname and acquaintances sees the velvet rope disappear as they take a single step forward.

Juliette Lacome possesses a rare combination of both. Deeply established in the social and cultural scene of her hometown of Biarritz, Juju was taken under the wing of Lee-Ann Curren and began turning heads as a promising junior.

While it’s been a while since she was last seen wearing a comp jersey, Juliette’s been spending a healthy amount of time in the water, thanks for asking.

Her past winter was spent at Coco Ho’s — her bestie and board sponsor — on the North Shore, in the company of local and international surfing elite. Another friend, Steph Gilmore, was also temporarily housed at the same address.

Juju’s latest diary entry watches like a motion postcard of a North Shore that, for looking so accessible, will always be somebody else’s backyard. Juju just happens to know everybody on Ke Iki Rd.

Tout va bien!