Raphaëla le Gouvello du Timat (born 1960) is a French windsurfer and conservationist. She has successfully completed four windsurfing crossings, solo and unassisted, of the Atlantic Ocean in 2000, the Mediterranean in 2002, the Pacific Ocean in 2003 and the Indian Ocean in 2006. She later founded the NGO Respect Ocean to protect the marine environment. Le Gouvello was born in

Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. ...

and is of Breton descent. She initially trained as a veterinarian. She began windsurfing in 1976 and eventually competed at a national level. In November 2003 following her passage from

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

Tahiti Tahiti (; Tahitian ; ; previously also known as Otaheite) is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Aust ...

she was made a Commander of the

Order of Tahiti Nui The Order of Tahiti Nui was established on 5 June 1996 by the Assembly of French Polynesia to reward distinguished merit and achievements in the service to French Polynesia. History The Order of Tahiti Nui was established June 5, 1996 by resolu ...

. In 2019 she completed a PhD on the circular economy in a small-scale fishery-dependent socio-ecological system through the University of Western Brittany's School of Marine and Coastal Sciences.

References

Living people 1960 births People from Paris French veterinarians French conservationists University of Western Brittany alumni French windsurfers Recipients of orders, decorations, and medals of French Polynesia {{France-bio-stub