Known for his death-defying stunts and comedic timing under the big top, Cirque du Soleil performer Clement Malin took a break from the stage this week to test his skills in a new arena: the waves off Pleasure Point.
Malin, who stars in Cirque du Soleil’s Echo, currently showing at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds through May 11, visited Santa Cruz with his wife and young daughter to experience the region’s legendary surf culture during a rare day off from the tour.
Best known for his comedic and acrobatic “Double Trouble” act—performed alongside fellow clown Caio Sorano—Malin combines slapstick humor with precision and physical daring. The duo’s show-stopping routine involves stacking 24 cardboard boxes over 30 feet high while incorporating complex balancing acts, including Malin’s signature feat: scaling a freestanding ladder that must be perfectly balanced on its two narrow legs.
“Cirque du Soleil performances are built on creating the illusion of effortlessness,” Malin said during a break from surfing. “Whether on stage or on the water, it’s all about presence, timing, and letting go of control.”
Though originally trained as an acrobat, Malin’s current role as a clown demands a blend of technical mastery and emotional intelligence. He says his goal is not merely to entertain but to foster a shared emotional experience with the audience.
“There is love as a single thing,” he explained. “Then there is this greater collective love when the audience gathers together. Almost like communion. It’s a beautiful feeling.”
Surfing, he notes, offers similar moments of transcendence—and humbling reminders. “You can’t take yourself too seriously,” Malin laughed. “Mother Nature will show you who’s in charge.”
Malin’s visit to Santa Cruz included a solo paddle-out at Jack’s, near the iconic home of surfing legend Jack O’Neill. A relative newcomer to surfing, he impressed onlookers by catching several clean waves with grace and agility. Despite the cold, Malin emerged from the ocean smiling, exclaiming, “Cold!” with characteristic enthusiasm.
Between waves, Malin reflected on how he first came to master his ladder act. Inspired by another performer, he began training not only to climb—but to fall. “You have to learn how to fall before you learn how to balance,” he said. “That’s when you find freedom.”
His performances are a study in duality: playful and precise, rehearsed yet spontaneous. Though Cirque du Soleil aims to deliver identical shows night after night, Malin says staying mentally present is essential. “When I step on stage, I switch on. When I step off, I switch off. But I try to find one new challenge every day.”
This mindset extends to his view of comedy itself. Asked if he considers himself funny, Malin responded with quiet introspection. “I can be funny…” he said softly, trailing off. “But what matters most is trust. If I can get the audience to trust me, then they’ll trust each other. If that happens, I’ve succeeded.”
After his surf session, Malin joined his family on the beach, watching their daughter play in the sand. Though he couldn’t yet fully articulate the parallels between surfing and clowning, he acknowledged their shared need for balance, risk-taking, and adaptability.
“You start small. You stay present. You learn how to fall. That’s the path to mastery,” he said.
Malin and his fellow performers will continue their run of Echo in Santa Clara until May 11. Tickets are available through Cirque du Soleil’s website.