2004 ASP World Champion surfer Sofia Mulanovich took a break from the Tour yesterday, taking the time to mentor 30 promising young surfers ranging from 15 to 20 years old as part of the Red Bull Under My Wing workshop program. Red Bull Under My Wing seeks to promote, equip and train talented young people in various sports, bringing them close to their heroes to learn from their experience, and giving them valuable knowledge about how to achieve their goals.
Sofia and the students were joined in Lima by top Peruvian surfing personalities, who presented to the young athletes the experiences and knowledge required to be a professional surfer.
The workshop started with a little introduction by Sofia, who thanked everyone for participating in the event, promising that the things they learned that day would be a valuable plus for their future. The kids (who could have spent the holiday surfing or hanging out with friends) behaved perfectly, putting all the attention required into the workshop.
Renzo Giraldo/Red Bull Photofiles
Red Bull Under My Wing was divided into five topics in the hands of experts in each subject. Renato Quezada, physical trainer of the national surf selection, talked about the proper nutrition required to have enough sustained energy to surf, and about the high performance training that prepares an athlete in coordination and flexibility as well as in strength and resistance.
Chalo Espejo, Team Manager for Rip Curl, talked about the role of the sponsors. “The athlete is the ambassador of the brands that sponsor him, and it’s important to behave properly in championships and to keep being humble,” was his main advice.
After Chalo, Nino Lauro, chief of judges for the ISA, presented to the kids the competition system. How do you face the challenge of competing? How is a surfing championship judged? A lot of surfers are really talented but it’s also important that they know how to surf under pressure and remain calm in the competition.
Finally, Hans Firbas, press agent for important athletes in Peru, together with Talia Echecopar, Communication Manager for Billabong, talked about the relationship between an athlete and the journalists. “The press is the link between the athlete and the people, and they should be seen as friends; they help to expose the athlete and the sport to the world,” commented Hans.
Renzo Giraldo/Red Bull Photofiles
After lunch, it was Sofia’s turn to share with the kids her experience and thoughts, relating how she became a professional surfer and then a World Champion. She started surfing at the age of 9 and got obsessed with the sport, so much that she would stay at home to watch surfing videos. She says she felt frustrated when she couldn’t make it into the WCT the first year she tried, but now she thinks it was foolish to feel like that.
Her most valuable advice? “To be positive and put every bit of yourself toward triumph,” she said, and finished with the inspiring phrase, “I get involved with my body, mind, and soul, because this sport is my biggest passion.” Sofia has no doubt inspired countless surfers around the world, and her time spent with the participants of Red Bull Under My Wing will surely continue that legacy.
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