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Nacional traveled to Hawaii again to train in extreme wave conditions.

Yesterday afternoon, Darshan Antequera, a young man from Jacoba, departed for Hawaii. The national athlete is traveling with the idea of ​​improving his surfing and training in large-scale conditions to perfect his technique.

Antequera visited the American island last year and gained experience that he has been applying in the different competitions he has attended.

For this 17-year-old, big waves are no obstacle to his composure, as he clearly demonstrated at the last Ola Grande event when he took first place, surpassing experienced surfers in those conditions. Furthermore, in the previous edition of Surfing Nights, he reached the grand final and qualified for the aerials tournament finals.

This year Darshan once again demonstrated his courage and decided to travel alone and on his own to Isla Uvita in Limón to enjoy the historic swell that entered this Costa Rican spot .

In this article, the athlete tells us about this journey and his preparation to face large waves in order to improve his level.

Darshan, we noticed that in the last Caribbean swell you were the only under-16 surfer who took on the biggest waves. Tell us about your training for these kinds of swells.

“Since I was little, my dad has always pushed me to surf big waves, and I think it’s also something that comes from within. I’ve always had a lot of respect for the sea, but I’ve never been afraid of it, and I always try to surf the biggest waves I can and keep pushing the limits.”

Tell us about your tables. How do you know what type of tables to use under these conditions?

"To know what type of board to use in big waves, it's about knowing your skill level and physical condition well. When the waves get big, I like to use boards that are a little longer than normal so I have more time to get into the waves and the maneuvers look more powerful."


How do you think those trips to the North Shore in Hawaii benefit you?

“Hawaii is the mecca of surfing. No matter how good a surfer is, if they're not good in Hawaii, it's very difficult for them to make it to the big leagues. That's why, since last year, I've had the goal of going every year for at least a month. Spending time there is very important because the waves are incredibly powerful and unlike any other. This benefits me because when, God willing, I'm competing in the Triple Crown, I'll have a bit more experience and confidence when surfing the North Shore and Pipeline, the best wave in the world.”



What are Darshan's plans for 2020 and how have you prepared to face it?

“ My plans for 2020 are to finish the NSSA circuit that I started last year, go to regional and national competitions, and compete in some World Surf League (WSL) events, such as Junior Pro and Open. I will continue training and improving with my coach Diego Naranjo, and continue chasing big waves in Costa Rica and Central America to push my limits in big waves and become a competitive, professional big-wave surfer.”

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero