WHO? Miguel Ximenez
WHEN? Since 1986
WHERE? Cascais, Portugal and all over the world wherever the best surf spots are
WHY? New Lightning Bolt Team Rider
WHAT? Pro Surfer competing on the World Qualifying Series
Portugal’s most prominent surfer may well be WCT rookie Tiago Pires (Saca), but we’re proud to welcome one of the most promising riders in the country onto the Lightning Bolt Team, Miguel Ximenez.Competing on the WQS tour for the second year at only 22 years old, Ximenez already has some great achievements in his short career. He was National under-18 champion, European under-18 runner up, National under-20 champion and also won the men’s category at the Eurosurf 2005. Besides that, Ximenez was two-time champion for the National team in the World Surfing Games in 2005 and 2007.
We caught up with him in Cascais, his hometown, and asked him some questions after a freezing day surfing: Please don’t tell us that you’ve surfed since you were three……
Not really. The first time I grabbed a surfboard and stepped into the water I was 10 years old and it was at Guincho. It didn’t go very well… but at that time I didn’t have my own surfboard. My first board was a gift from my father when I was twelve. I used to go to the beach a lot with my friends and they all surfed, that helped me to carry on!
And you realised early on that you weren’t surfing just for the lifestyle and to meet girls…
I began competing when I was a kid… I used to read many surf magazines and always dreamt of being in one of them one day. It only happened at the age of 19, when I won the Eurosurf. As I developed my surfing in national competitions, I started thinking of going international, and when I was 20 I decided to dedicate 100% of my time to surfing. I was admitted to the Communication course at university but I gave up and went surfing!
What do you like the most at the contests?
I enjoy pushing my limits further and beating the tougher adversaries.
And when you’re not «working»?
I like to keep on having fun free surfing! Beside, when I’m at home and I’m not surfing, I like being with my friends. Though, these last two years my life revolves only around surf.
Who are your surf prophets?
There are a couple of people I really admire… Saca (Tiago Pires) and Kelly Slater. I admire the fact that they combine together work, dedication and talent.
We already know that you spent most of your time travelling and you surely have a thousand favourite spots, but can you vote for just one?
Guincho Beach. I’ve always lived just around the corner and I love it!
Of all you’ve done, can you choose one surf trip that has a special meaning for you?
I loved the surf trip to Australia, but Indonesia was also a place that I will never forget, as it was my first journey.
Where would you like to go now?
Recently I did one of my dream surf trips. I went to Peru with the Lightning Bolt team. It is still not a known destination for Europeans. The north of Peru, in the region of Mancora, Chicama and Pacasamayo, has fabulous surf spots with very long consistent lefts. Though we didn’t catch waves at their maximum potential, we could get the feeling!
Sponsors are essential for you to keep on surfing. This year you’ll be sponsored by Lightning Bolt. How did it happen?
The proposal came through David Raimundo, the Lightning Bolt Europe team leader and a very good friend of mine. I weighed up the pros and cons and decided I had a lot to win by joining the brand and I’m really happy now.
What about your biggest ambition…
I’d like to win this year’s National Open and to achieve good results at a world level.
Life motto?
With hard work, you can make it!
How do you see yourself in twenty years form now?
I imagine myself married with kids, with a stable life and surfing. I don’t know whether I’ll have a future surfing at a professional level, but I’ll definitely be surfing.
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