Adrián Kaperotxipi is an athlete who has dedicated almost his entire life to surfing and for some time he has been writing on his own blog in the one who tells his experiences within the world of this practice. He also has the collaboration and monitoring of other surfers who, like him, have a hearing problem.
Yumping.- When did you start in the world of surfing?
Adrián Kaperotxipi.- I started surfing when I was 10 years old or so, when my brother Iñaki was a surfer and encouraged me. I tried surfing and the first day I woke up on the surf board easily and I went crazy for this sport.
Y.- You have grown up in a privileged place, since not all Spanish beaches have good waters for surfing. Has it made your day-to-day training easier?
A.K.- I think that this fact has helped me, because it makes it easier for me to see and learn to surf.
And.- What obstacles did you encounter at the beginning of this sport?
A.K.- At first I don't remember having had any obstacles, on the contrary, with the help of my brother and living in a place where I can walk to the sea to surf, more than obstacles I think I have had advantages.
Y.- Throughout the years of your practice, who has been your best teacher?
A.K.- I think I have been self-taught by watching others how they did it and like then there were no surf schools like now surf schools , I watched videos and surfed a lot.
Y.- Have you had the support of the people around you?
A.K.- I couldn't name any specific person but I could name all the surfers in general who were by my side and advised me or even I them too. It is a world of solidarity and if you see or see you doing something wrong, you say it or they tell you it for your own good.
Y.- When did you start competing?
A.K.- When I was 13 years old I started competing and I stopped when I was 20 because I started working in the morning and afternoon. I didn't have the time to train and I also had surgery on both knees, which forced me to stay away from this practice for almost two years. On the other hand I also got bored of competing, I didn't I wanted to move to another town but I prefer to surf as a free rider, I only participated in the World Surfing Championship for the Deaf and this year I am not competing due to my knee injuries for almost eight months and now I am recovering physically!!
Y.- Of all the places you have traveled to and all the waves you have surfed, which ones do you prefer?
A.K.- I would highlight when I was in Mexico and Australia, because it seemed to me that the waves were perfect. It was a pleasure and very easy to surf.
Y.- For some time now you have had a blog specialized in surfing for the deaf. How did this idea come about?
A.K.- Because it is a topic that interests me very much and at the beginning it was somewhat aimed at deaf people, but in the end I was only interested in giving all the information that was useful to me to anyone who was interested .
Y.- Have you received collaborations from other surfers?
A.K.- The truth is that I have not needed any type of help, but I have lived with other surfers on different occasions and we all had a great time.
And.- Do you think that people with certain disabilities, no matter how small, have it worse when it comes to practicing adventure sports?
A.K.- Not in my case, but we must keep in mind that there are many types of disabilities and some can prevent or discourage you from practicing certain sports; I think we should encourage all kinds of sports and in my case especially surfing.
Y.- Does your blog, in a way, serve as a place of "complaint" or rather as a platform so that other deaf surfers can find themselves supported?
A.K.- It serves to explain my experiences, both positive and negative, and, if possible, do something to remedy the negative. In short, make them feel a little empathy.
Y.- Do you receive any type of subsidies for traveling to championships? If not, do you think more aid should be given?
A.K.- We need much more than what they offer. The truth is that it is very difficult to get a subsidy but you have to try. I have only managed to get Kirolgi to give me some subsidy.
And.- Your next goal?
A.K.- Go to Brazil, to compete in the World Deaf Surfing Championship in Brazil, because a year ago I won the Grand Longboard Masterand I want to defend the title.
And.- A dream?
A.K.- Going back to Australia to surf. And my deaf son will compete in three years in Portugal where he will celebrate this championship.
And.- How do you see yourself in ten years?
A.K.- I will try to stay like I am now and of course continue surfing. But I prefer to enjoy the moment and not think about the future.
And.- What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a sport like surfing?
A.K.- I have already started to show and teach them the world of surfing with my children. I would advise that they go to the beaches to see surfers, that they talk to them about their experiences, that they watch videos, that they take a surf course...
