Born in Gijón, Sergio López was going to be a footballer, as it was his vocation throughout his life until an injury cut short his dreams. But thanks to a good friend of his, during a vacation in Mallorca, he learned in detail about a hobby that he would later turn into his profession. After fifteen years fighting to capture the best prey, he is National Champion.
Yumping.- When you were little you saw yourself as a soccer player and yet your path took another direction... Nothing more and nothing less than towards underwater fishing. It was in Mallorca where you discovered your new hobby that, perhaps unintentionally, has become a lifestyle for you. Do you remember your first catch?
Santi López.- Yes, of course, it was a barracuda weighing a couple of kilos, captured with a small rifle and without nylon on the rod. It was the first time I had seen such a big fish underwater and I didn't dare reach out and dragged it to land.
And.- How did you decide to take that step?
S.L.- It was as a result of a back injury that required rehabilitation in the water, I found some glasses, a tube and the small rifle and from the first day I entered the water I was hooked.
And.- How long have you been dedicating yourself to underwater fishing?
S.L.- About fifteen years old, I started quite late in this adventure sport.
Y.- You are currently Champion of Spain for the third consecutive year, what does this title mean for your career?
S.L.- On a personal note, a very great satisfaction because it is the result of prior work well done. And this result means that I can stay at the top of this sport and that the national team continues to count on me.
Y.- You surpassed your direct competitor Ángel Cruz, what is your relationship with him like?
S.L.- My relationship with Ángel is good, we have traveled to some international championships together, with the national team and we will do so again now for the world championship. We don't have much contact but the relationship is good.
And.- What does it take to be a champion or at least practice this sport?
S.L.- Many hours in the water, a lot of work and above all a lot of passion for the sea, since it is very hard and very sacrificed. But it is a sport aquatic which I would recommend trying since exceptional physical conditions are not needed.
And.- In this sport, diving is combined with fishing... which of the two do you prefer?
S.L.- With pesca, especially because of the difficulty since the fish don't make it easy for you at all , and you have to get to know their behavior.
And.- Which are the most suitable Spanish coasts for underwater fishing?
S.L.- They are all suitable, what happens is that in each one you fish in a different way, depending on the visibility of the waters, the temperature... For example in the Mediterranean the water is cleaner and warmer, therefore you can fish deeper; On the other hand, in the Cantabrian Sea the water is colder and much dirtier, so you have to fish more on the coast.
And.- How do you experience spearfishing in competition?
S.L.- With a lot of tension, because the level in Spain is very high, worldwide we are number one and that is why there are so many fishermen who have a chance to compete for the title every year.
And.- Do you have any idol in this practice?
S.L.- Idolo, the truth is that no, because I started from ignorance of this sport, I learned alone, although you come to admire fishermen like Amengual, Pedro Carbonell, Pepe Viña for their careers... But the What I do have in this sport are friends all over the Spanish coast.
Y.- Your next goal is the World Cup, how will you prepare for it?
S.L.- Well, we will go to Croatia for almost a month with the national team and there I will work with two colleagues, looking at the area; It will be very hard because fish is scarce and getting fish weighing more than 500g is an arduous task. But we will go with enough tools and material to try to achieve the goal both individually and in teams.
Y.- What is your day to day like?
S.L.- I usually go to the sea about 4-5 times a week if the weather permits and I usually do days of about six hours in the water. During the winter, when there are quite a few storms that keep me inactive for longer periods, I usually travel to other places in Spain where I know that the sea is going to leave me fishing, especially for the Mediterranean.
Y.- How do you see yourself in the future? Competing, teaching classes...?
S.L.- I think I have another 3-4 years of competition left at most, since this requires a lot of dedication and being at a very high level. I wouldn't mind over time, other than teaching classes, giving talks, especially about safety at sea and competitive fishing.
