“I wouldn’t jump into the pool just like that; we can do a good job in the Games” | INTERVIEW

—How do you feel about being part of surfing history?

It is always an honor to be part of this team and to be able to contribute with my knowledge and experience. Help them compete calmly and give them tips that can help them perform well at sea. Some techniques that are always important for these super competitors.

— Fifth in the World Cup and three Olympic places? What’s coming now?

We have had a fifth place for teams. Peru is already accustomed to always being at the top of the world. Thanks to Sol and Alonso we achieved that ranking. It is a huge fifth place because it is a complicated championship due to the wave conditions and the level. It is one of the highest level championships, like 2019 and 2023. They are very solid events and I am happy with the development of the boys.

—How difficult was it to get a place in Puerto Rico?

This event gave a special quota, an extra for the winning team by category, which is why the teams have fought to score the greatest number of points. Gabriel Medina became world champion and with those points he won his classification. He competed with great determination and we have seen the best surfer in the world win in my opinion.

— Would you say that the national team is already a consolidated team today?

Yes, over time things are refined, it is strengthened and we are doing a better job. One thing I liked is that we have new qualifiers with Sol and Alonso. We achieved three out of four spots. Although there were four in Tokyo, because we had the Pan American Games in Lima and that was something opportune for us. Now we have had to look for classification in different countries and different types of waves. Now it has been other athletes and that means that Peru has a great team. They have the level to achieve these feats and chart the path for new generations. Now there are kids who see that everything is possible.

—And you can already see Lima 2027 on the horizon

That the Pan American Games return to Lima is synonymous with success for surfing in Peru. It gives us the opportunity to compete on our waves, with our people. That combination is important to us. It increases the chances of winning the gold medals and gives us a foot for Los Angeles 2028.

—How is Tehuapo’o, the mysterious wave in Tahiti?

This wave is extremely aggressive and dangerous. They are going to tame this wave with extremely high energy. Thanks to the support of the IPD and the Fenta (Peruvian Tabla Federation), we are going to set up training bases in Tahiti. Sol and Lucca already know it, Alonso has a level for this type of wave. He feels like he’s made for that kind of wave. With this base and the event, I think we are going to do a good job.

— Why is that wave, where Paris 2024 will be held, so mythical?

It is very powerful. It has a high level of demand and the vast majority have competed in it for many years because it is a CT date. It’s going to be more difficult than Japan was, but I would never jump into the pool just like that. I think that, with good preparation, I dare say that we are going to do well in Tahiti.

— Great things have happened after a complicated 2023 due to your health. How are you?

I feel blessed to be able to do what I like. My health is good, getting better every day. I surf several hours a day and I can do what makes me happy. Having the opportunity to go to Tahiti, to the base, I am very excited because I am a coach who is going to be in the water with the kids. I’m pretty excited that God is giving me this opportunity.

— Competitions like these heal everything, too

They are healing everything. There are things about the team that are not known, emotions, injuries, defeats. This is a gift, a reward for effort. A gift of motivation and confidence and is motivating for everyone and families.

— There is a lot of support from the family and we saw Sofía Mulanovich too. Do you have interaction with the team?

If you have interaction with the team. Sofi always speaks positively, giving off a good vibe. Sofía was the one who traced the path and everyone wants to be like her, achieve what she achieved. It is also important that the parents are here because they are the first coaches, the ones who get him out of bed and tell him that they can do it. Then the coaches and technicians arrive. Everything that surrounds athletes is important.

—What else is there to do?

There is still a lot of work to be done, it still takes a lot of energy and time to dedicate to the kids coming up behind. If Sofía could be a champion and reach the Olympics, I know that more Peruvians can achieve it and not only in surfing. My reflection is to continue encouraging sport, to continue asking for support because a lot of support is needed for it to continue growing, for achievements to be made that strengthen the confidence of Peruvians.