EL CAMPEON

August 22, 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LAURITA POLVORILLA

1.You recently traveled to Spain to compete in the Salinas Longboard Festival. Tell us about the preparation to travel across the globe for a surf contest and who helped you get there.

- Al principio solamente era una idea pero al mismo tiempo un reto que ya me habia propuesto desde hace un tiempo, honestamente lo veía complicado al ser mi primera vez viajando solo a Europa y me daba curiosidad y nervios por que literalmente estaba yendo a otro país y lo único que me tranquilizaba era el poder hablar español con ellos. Pero claro, todo esto no hubiese sido posible sin la ayuda de todo el equipo de BAPU beachware que me apoyó y me dio animos a no dudar de mi y que esto se convirtiera en una meta cumplida más. Hicimos diferentes dinámicas mientras realizábamos presentaciones del cortometraje "El Gordo" con el fin de impulsar este viaje. Por supuesto también BING Surfboards y Tablas surfshop quienes me facilitaron una tabla en España y me quitaron un enorme peso de encima al no tener que pasar por las incontables situaciones de riesgo y estrés que implica viajar con una tabla al otro lado del mundo jaja.

 No encuentro suficientes palabras para expresar mi agradecimiento hacia mi novia y su apoyo incondicional durante todo este proceso, como siempre lo hace cuando tengo una meta que cumplir. Gracias por estar ahí para mí todos los días.. Tambien quiero darle un enorme agradecimiento a Camille Cunningham por creer en mi y ayudarme a orquestar los detalles del viaje desde la recolección de fondos hasta encontrar buenos deals en vuelos y transporte, sin duda es un pilar en todo esto. Y por supuesto a todas esas personas que pusieron su grano de arena y lo siguen haciendo en apoyar con la recoleccion de fondos del GoFundMe. Sin ustedes esto no sería posible.

At the beginning, it was just an idea, but at the same time, a challenge I had set for myself some time ago. Honestly, I saw it as complicated since it was my first time traveling alone to Europe, and I was curious and nervous because I was literally going to another country. The only thing that reassured me was being able to speak Spanish over there. But, of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the entire BAPU beachware team who encouraged me and gave me the motivation not to doubt myself and make this a fulfilled goal, we organized various activities while presenting the short film "El Gordo" to raise funds for this trip. 

I also want to give a huge shoutout to BING Surfboards and Tablas surfshop, who provided me with a surfboard in Spain, saving me from the enormous stress and risks involved in carrying a board to the other side of the world, haha.

I can’t find enough words to express my gratitude for my girlfriend and her unconditional support throughout this process, as she always does whenever I have a goal to achieve. thank you for showing up for me every day.

I also want to extend a huge thank you to Camille Cunningham for believing in me and helping me orchestrate every detail of the trip, from fundraising to finding good flight deals and transportation. She has undoubtedly played a massive roll in all of this. 
And, of course, thanks to all those people who contributed and continue to support the GoFundMe fundraising, without all of you this wouldn't have been possible.

2. How would you describe the people, food, and the culture of Spain? Did it feel different than your home in Mexico?

Primero que nada me gustaria darle un enorme agradecimiento a mi nueva familia en España, la familia García Andrade (Fernando,Martín,Nico y Lili) por cuidarme y brindarme confianza al compartir su hogar conmigo y tratarme como un hijo. En general, todas las personas me hicieron sentir en casa, como en México. La cultura es cálida y amistosa, literalmente te hacen uno más sin importar las diferencias, cualquiera que sean. 

Acerca de la comida solo puedo decir que me hicieron falta unas tortillas jaja! , por que ellos tienen otro tipo de tortilla que no me esperaba ( es de huevo y papa, como un omelette) otro de los platillos emblemáticos de ahi es el Cachopo (ternera frita rellena de jamon serrano y queso) CHULADA de platillo! también las fabes con almejas y mariscos, y ni hablar del cordero al horno, esos fueron algunos de los platillos que mas me gustaron. y la mejor parte es que allá siempre comen postre.

First of all, I would like to express my immense gratitude to my new family in Spain, the García Andrade family (Fernando, Martín, Nico, and Lili), for taking care of me and trusting me with sharing their home and treating me like a son. Overall, everyone made me feel at home, just like in Mexico. The culture is warm and friendly; they truly make you feel like one of their own regardless of any differences.
As for the food, I can only say that I missed some tortillas, haha! Because they have a different type of tortilla that I didn't expect (it's made with eggs and potatoes, like an omelette). Another iconic dish is the Cachopo (fried veal stuffed with Serrano ham and cheese) i can only say CHULADA! (slang for what a delicious dish!)  Also, the fabes with clams and seafood, not to mention the roasted lamb – those were some of the dishes I enjoyed the most. And the best part is that they always have dessert after meals.

3. The Salinas Longboard Festival is one of the largest contests in the world. Who were some of the toughest competitors you faced and who were some of      your favorite surfers?

Sinceramente reconozco que hay bastante nivel en ese torneo, para mi todos los que estuvieron ahí tienen un nivel que sólo va ascendiendo y muy pronto va a explotar, es increíble presenciarlo. Me toco competir con Alessandro Demartini y Jose Berasaluce en mi primer heat y por un momento casi me dejan fuera pero gracias a esa ola que salió en los últimos 15 segundos pude salvarme y subir a primera posición. Definitivamente fue duro, también me enfrenté a Francisco Freitas que en dos ocasiones me dejó en segundo lugar y no fue hasta la final que pude vencerlo (la tercera es la vencida) Antonio Dantas y Jon Garmendia también estuvieron en la final y sin duda fue todo un reto competir contra estas maquinas. 

Honestly, I have to acknowledge that they set the bar really high in that tournament.

 For me, everyone who was there has a level that just keeps on rising, and they will soon explode onto something even more powerful. It's incredible to witness it.

 In my first heat, I had to compete against Alessandro Demartini and Jose Berasaluce, and for a moment, they almost knocked me out. However, thanks to a wave that came in the last 15 seconds, I managed to save myself and take the first position. It was definitely tough. I also faced Francisco Freitas, who beat me twice before, but it wasn't until the finals that I could defeat him (third time's the charm). Antonio Dantas and Jon Garmendia were also in the final, and it was undoubtedly a challenge to compete against these machines.

4. Which Bing models were you riding in the contest and how were the waves in all of your heats?

 Utilicé el modelo Beacon 9´6 y sin duda fue un reto ya que solo tuve 5 dias para acostumbrarme a ella y era la primera vez que utilizaba ese modelo. Me gustó mucho y definitivamente ahora está en la lista de mis favoritas junto con mi Izzy Rider 2.0.

Las olas estuvieron de muy buen tamaño aunque el mar estaba un poco agitado durante los dias del torneo pero aún así pude aprovechar al máximo las olas.

I used the Beacon 9'6 model, and it was definitely a challenge since I only had 5 days to get used to it, and it was my first time riding that model. I liked it a lot, and now it's definitely on my list of favorites along with my Izzy Rider 2.0.
Waves were a really good size, although the sea was a bit rough during the tournament days, I still made the most out of it. 

5. Were you able to travel around Spain and free surf before or after the contest?

Afortunadamente si, hicimos un roadtrip por los alrededores y me deleité con diferentes olas en el camino y con paisajes impresionantes! 

Fortunately, yes, we went on a road trip around the area, and I was delighted by different waves along the way and stunning landscapes!

6. Do you think winning this contest will give you some motivation to pursue more contests outside of Mexico? Where else would you like to go?

definitivamente si, esto me da aún mas motivación para poder seguir haciendo torneos fuera del país yendo en representación de México. Algunos de mis siguientes objetivos son Biarritz Francia,  El Salvador y Perú. Y espero pronto poder obtener mi visa para poder ir a torneos en USA y otros lugares al rededor del mundo.

Definitely yes, this gives me even more motivation to keep on doing tournaments abroad representing Mexico. Some of my next goals are Biarritz, France; El Salvador, and Peru. I hope to get my Visa soon to participate in tournaments in the USA and other places around the world.

7. How do you feel about getting to travel and represent your home country of Mexico at a contest of this size? Do you feel pressure?

Honestamente para mi es todo un placer y me llena de alegría, inspiración y motivación el poder representar a mi país y de donde vengo (Punta de Mita) Sinceramente al principio se siente la presión por que se que gracias al esfuerzo de muchas personas estoy aquí y lo único que puedo hacer para agradecerles es demostrar mi mayor esfuerzo dentro y fuera del agua. 

Honestly, for me, it is a great pleasure and fills me with joy, inspiration, and motivation to represent my country and where I come from (Punta de Mita). At first, there's definitely some pressure because I know that thanks to the efforts of many people, I am here, and the only way I can show my gratitude is by giving my best both in and out of the water.

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