Michel Velasco

Michel Velasco

Biography:

Michel Velasco comes from Ajo, located in Cantabria in northern Spain. As a former Spanish national surfing champion, Michel is a proven competitor in the water that has in the past also represented his country at the ISA World Surfing Games. In recent years, Michel has begun to focus more energy on facing up to the ultimate challenge of big wave surfing. The regular-footer has already achieved impressive results in this awe-inspiring and growing competitive arena, and even won the Biggest Wave Award at last year's edition of La Vaca Gigante in Spain. In addition to traveling the world to compete and shoot video and photos, Velasco also runs a successful surf school back home in Ajo. Full of energy and enthusiasm for the sport that has given him so much, Michel's surf school allows the Spaniard to pass on his surfing wisdom to the next generation of surfers. Outside of surfing, Michel is also a keen snowboarder, mountain biker and a big music fan.

Photos:
Surfer Rule '09
Latest on Michel Velasco: related products: Interview

Q: What has been the biggest highlight of the past 12 months for you?
A: Winning the biggest wave award at La Vaca Gigante 2009, a big wave contest held in Spain last year.  

Q: What's the best thing about riding for a living?
A: I think the best thing is traveling around the world to surf.  

Q: Who do you enjoy riding with the most, and why?
A: I enjoy riding with my friends because there's always a good vibe in the water when they're around.  

Q: Other than home, where is your favorite place to ride, and why?
A: The Mentawaiis. That's where I surfed the best waves of my life.  

Q: What are your main goals and plans for the next 12 months?
A: My main plans are to take part in some big wave contests and go on some trips for magazines.  

Q: How do you see your sport evolving in the next few years?
A: Surfing in Spain has experienced a big boom in recent years, so I think surfers will have more support, more contests, more infrastructure etc.   

Q: Have you got any plans to film a new video part, and if yes, with which film company?
A: Yes, I'm filming a video with the Spanish guys from fuelsurf.com  

Q: What do you do for fun when you are not riding?
A: Climbing, snowboarding and mountain biking, mostly.  

Q: What achievement are you most proud of so far in your career?
A: I'm proud that I was crowned Spanish Champion in 2003.  

Q: If you didn't ride for a living, what would you have liked to be doing now for an occupation?
A: I like my other job a lot - I'm also a firefighter.   

Q: What trick do you enjoy the most?
A: Tube riding.

Achievements