Sofia Mulanovich knows how to surf. The ASP World Championship and Vans Triple Crown titles she’s earned are evidence of that, if you haven’t actually seen her take on a wave in person. If you have, there’s a good chance that you’ve gotten the itch to surf yourself. Lucky for you, we’ve got her cell phone number, so we asked her to dole out a little advice and cover some of the basics of starting out on the waves. Good luck, and happy surfing!
I’ve got a golden tan, I look great, I love the beach and the ocean, and I have a healthy aversion to work. Is that enough to become a surfer?
You don’t need all that stuff to go surfing. You just need a passion for the waves and a will to learn the water and try the sport. You just have to go out there and want to do it. You have to be tough, because it’s pretty hard at first. You have to love nature. But you don’t need to have a perfect tan or look great.
What talents do I need to start surfing?
Be really persistent. Be tough; you have to be prepared to not have a really good experience at first. But then, you’re going to get better at it, you’ll start standing up, and you’ll realize it’s the best sport ever.
What training and what kind of daily routine should I stick to in order to transform myself from a mediocre surfer into an excellent one?
Surf a lot; a lot of practice. Try to stay healthy. For sure, some training in the gym, and watching a lot of surfing movies and videos helps a lot, too.
Can I only train for surfing by surfing, or are there other sports or types of fitness training which will have a positive effect on my flexibility and performance when I’m on the board?
I think the best training for surfing is surfing, but there are other things that can help—kind of complement it, like doing a lot of core-building things. Yoga and things like that will help too, anything where you stretch.
Anyone who dreams of becoming a pro surfer is usually taken about as seriously as someone who wants to become an astronaut or a princess. What’s a realistic route to this dream profession?
I think you have to start young. Just surf a lot, practice a lot, and really be into it. Watch surf movies, as I said. I think it’s pretty much the same answer as before.
Starting from scratch, what type of water, what kind of equipment, and which teacher will help me learn to surf most quickly?
I think it doesn’t really matter what kind of water, since you can get a wetsuit. For sure, if it’s tropical where you live, it’s easier, because you have a lot more flexibility with standing up for the first time, but it doesn’t really matter. As far as equipment goes, you’ll need a big board so you have more stability and it’s easier to stand up. And a teacher? Somebody who really knows about the ocean and can guide you. You can just go out with your friends, too—someone who knows something [about surfing]. For sure a teacher would be better, though.
You spend most of your time on the most beautiful beaches in the world. On which one should I spend my next surfing holiday?
Probably Indonesia, Australia, or Hawaii… Indonesia has great waves, great weather, and it’s such a cool place. It’s beautiful. The most perfect waves in the world are in those three places. Australia’s really nice, but it’s a bit crowded. I would say Peru, too, but the waves aren’t all that nice there. I want to keep them to myself (laughs).
Which unwritten rules of the surfing lifestyle do I have to stick to in order not to make a negative impression at a beach party?
Don’t throw rubbish on the beach or something like that. Be respectful to everybody; that’s it.
Shark attacks! What do I do?
Run and pray. I’ve never seen a shark, though.
