Surfing is a sport full of adventure, connection with nature, and good vibes. In Peru, there are many people who practice this sport, but very few who manage to establish that special connection with what they do; one of those few Soul Surfers is our champion Gabriel Villarán, get to know him a little better in this post on De Aventura.
His beginnings were not the best; Gabriel recounts that it was his father who encouraged him to practice surfing from a young age. At just 6 years old, Villarán entered the sea with his board, but a series of waves ended up pushing the board against him, cutting his nose. At that time, Gabriel no longer wanted to try, but his father's motivation and persistence to improve made him return to the sea.
Gabriel is one of the most extreme and amazing surfers in the region (Latin America) and why not say it, in the world. Famous for his results, but also for his immense bravery and technique to face the most wicked and dangerous waves in the world.
In 2008, he rose to stardom by winning the Open category of the National Championship. At that time, he finished second in the WQS in Puerto Escondido (Mexico) and won the Best Tube award at the Cabo Blanco Billabong Tube Riders.
In 2009, Gabriel finished third in the ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica, and competed for the first time in a WCT world championship. Since then, he has won numerous competitions, such as the WQS event in Chile, and has finished second in the Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta Lobos Big Wave Invitational.
He caught attention again at the Quiksilver Clásico Mazatlán in early 2011, where he surfed the best wave (8.6 out of 10). Additionally, he was the runner-up at the Pawa Tube Fest Invitational 2013 in Mexico, which once again kept the eyes of the surfing world on a Peruvian rider.
In addition to competing, Gabriel likes to go further, accepting challenges beyond the main competitions. Some time ago, he decided to surf a river wave, in the Vilcanota River in the Andes. And currently, he is focused on tackling the Big Wave like the fearsome Pico Alto wave.
"In the North is peace," Cabo Blanco is one of his favorite waves for its perfect and wide tube, as well as being a right-hander ideal for his style. Villarán is also a lover of Yoga, which has helped him improve his flexibility and center of gravity. It has also helped him psychologically to face big and dangerous waves.
His beginnings were not the best; Gabriel recounts that it was his father who encouraged him to practice surfing from a young age. At just 6 years old, Villarán entered the sea with his board, but a series of waves ended up pushing the board against him, cutting his nose. At that time, Gabriel no longer wanted to try, but his father's motivation and persistence to improve made him return to the sea.
Gabriel is one of the most extreme and amazing surfers in the region (Latin America) and why not say it, in the world. Famous for his results, but also for his immense bravery and technique to face the most wicked and dangerous waves in the world.
In 2008, he rose to stardom by winning the Open category of the National Championship. At that time, he finished second in the WQS in Puerto Escondido (Mexico) and won the Best Tube award at the Cabo Blanco Billabong Tube Riders.
In 2009, Gabriel finished third in the ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica, and competed for the first time in a WCT world championship. Since then, he has won numerous competitions, such as the WQS event in Chile, and has finished second in the Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta Lobos Big Wave Invitational.
He caught attention again at the Quiksilver Clásico Mazatlán in early 2011, where he surfed the best wave (8.6 out of 10). Additionally, he was the runner-up at the Pawa Tube Fest Invitational 2013 in Mexico, which once again kept the eyes of the surfing world on a Peruvian rider.
In addition to competing, Gabriel likes to go further, accepting challenges beyond the main competitions. Some time ago, he decided to surf a river wave, in the Vilcanota River in the Andes. And currently, he is focused on tackling the Big Wave like the fearsome Pico Alto wave.
"In the North is peace," Cabo Blanco is one of his favorite waves for its perfect and wide tube, as well as being a right-hander ideal for his style. Villarán is also a lover of Yoga, which has helped him improve his flexibility and center of gravity. It has also helped him psychologically to face big and dangerous waves.
If you have a surfer soul, go out and show the world what you are made of, you could be the next Peruvian champion.
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