Sofía Mulánovich: The return of the queen of surfing to Punta Rocas

Seeing her in person conversing like one of the others seems almost crazy, when memory takes us to Sofi becoming the owner of the waves. When so many years ago she put us on the map as a country where surfing is today a living culture. Sofi became the queen of world surfing and it is something we will never forget.

She became an Olympian participating in Tokyo 2020 in the sport that has given her so much and her joy was ours. No one deserved it more than her. Today, with great humility and charisma, she puts on her lycra again to participate in a special tournament because it will be here, in Punta Rocas, on the wave that she likes and loves so much. That wave as she says, full of a lot of history, in a championship to show the world that we are ready to host more competitions.

Although surfing is his great passion, now his young son Theo is what fills his soul. Our champion surfs the most important wave of her life: motherhood and in the midst of that she will be present at the Punta Rocas Open Pro, to meet again with the Peruvian public that longs to see her in action once again.

—How do you feel about participating again in a tournament in Peru where you will meet again with the national fans after many years?

The truth is that I am super happy. It’s been a long time since I’ve competed, since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and competing here at home is the best. Especially in Punta Rocas, which is such a beautiful wave, with so much history. Having the opportunity to see the best national surfers will be something incredible.

“Two years of para is enough. How have you prepared for this competition?

Well, I’ve kept running, maybe not competitively, but I’ve been in the water. About a month and a half ago I started training a little harder on everything that is physical and that makes me happy.

—What led you to the decision to compete in the Punta Rocas Open Pro?

I think the most important thing was knowing that I was going to share with national surfers and the good vibes that I know there will be in the tournament. I feel that I am ready to hesitate, to have a good time and to compete against the new generations that have been breaking it and I wanted to be part of the show. I am more than happy to put my lycra back on and do my best. It’s going to be a championship to celebrate surfing in our country and have fun and I couldn’t miss it for nothing.

—Do you expect to see the stands full of the Punta Rocas CAR with people shouting your name and cheering you on, something like what happened in Lima 2019?

I think it would be really nice if a lot of people go. I went to the Pan American Games as one more fan and I remember very much that the vibe was amazing, people were very excited and committed, encouraging the Peruvians and that is what we want now too. Beyond encouraging me, go see the entire Team Peru and show them your support.

—What do you think about the Punta Rocas High Performance Center? Have you had the opportunity to visit others throughout your career?

In fact, in all my years competing I had the opportunity to go to other High Performance Centers around the world and I must say that the one in Punta Rocas is by far the best I have seen. From its infrastructure and all the facilities it has designed for surfers, it is something impressive and it goes without saying that we have good waves every day.

—After so much time, you and the board are still inseparable…

Surfing is something that is part of me and always will be. My whole family surfs: my parents, my brothers, and I hope my son does too. Surfing is in our blood and I think it is a sport that I will always do whether I compete or not.

—Now you live a new facet, being Theo’s mother…

Motherhood is the most beautiful thing in the world and it is incredible to see how my son grows every day and learns new things. It keeps one alive and happy. Theo was born in the midst of a pandemic so we had a couple of years at home, without going out and he helped us connect and be with him.

—What is it like to raise Theo here in Peru, in Punta Hermosa facing the sea?

The truth is that everything is super good. I have always been lucky to live in front of the sea with my family. My parents moved to Punta Hermosa when they were very young and we have lived in front of the sea all our lives and being able to give that to my son is also something that I wanted and that I love.

—How to combine your career as a surfer, this comeback with your maternity stage?

I think I am privileged to be able to continue doing what I like and what for many years gave me great joy. But now spending time with my family is what fulfills me more than anything in the world.

—Today we have a whole new generation of surfers with Daniella Rosas, Sol Aguirre, Mafer Reyes, do you think you put that first rock that marked the way for them?

The truth is that girls and boys have been breaking it. The current generation is being one of the best we’ve ever had and it’s going to be nice being with them in the water, having a good time. It will be an honor to share the waves with all of them. In fact, we also have a great generation that comes from below, the juniors, who are very happy and full of energy. I think Peruvian surfing is better than ever.

—Do you feel that you have responsibility for having made surfing such an important and recognized sport in our country?

I’ve sent very strong and positive messages throughout my career and it’s nice to see how that has had an impact. Surfing has grown a lot in recent years in Peru, it has more attention from brands and the media, seeing national surfers giving their best. Peruvian surfing is evolving and I am sure that soon we will have more world champions.

-How is Team Peru with the proximity of the championship?

The team is very united, we want to assert our locality. Everyone is super motivated and excited for what’s to come. I’m sure the trophies will stay at home. We have the talent, the claw and the warriors to achieve it and that it is in Punta Rocas makes it even more special.

—What is coming for the future for you, in your career? Do you plan to participate in the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games?

I have some nice projects coming out that I can’t talk much about right now, but good things are coming. About the Pan American Games, the truth is that I don’t know. I don’t want to say yes or no. It will be seen later.