Montse Solé

¨We were waiting for the heat to start and I was telling Iballa that when I was little I had my room lined with his posters¨ ...

Up Suping Montse Solé

Hello Montse! I bet you have been in the water before answering this interview…right?

Hi Nico! Well yes, I just got out of the water...Am I so predictable? (laughs)

You put it on your Instagram profile: ¨Waterwoman and adrenaline lover¨. Describe to us everything that the sea and nature are offering you right now ...

Easy...EVERYTHING! For me, the sea is peaceful and at the same time action. It recharges me with energy when I need it, sometimes I just go in with the SUP and sit down to admire nature, meditate and rest. Other times (most of them hehe) I need that adrenaline rush that it offers me and I look for the most sugary conditions to find it... In addition, I am super demanding and competitive with myself and the sea offers me the possibility of constantly challenging myself and improving myself.

The truth is that when I have not been able to enter for a few days, because of the conditions or because of work, I feelt it emotionally. My people send me to the water when I’m in a bad mood hahaha. Hence, I have “mounted” my life to be able to enter every day. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without entering the sea.

Among the sports you doing are SUP Surf. Tell us how were your first waves and what are your favourite spots.

I remember my first wave perfectly, if I close my eyes I see myself there...It must have been about 15 years ago. It was in Sant Pere Pescador, it is a very special place for me because it is where my passion for the sea was born. It is usually a spot of wind rather than waves, but sometimes the stars align and after a storm or specific conditions, if the sandbank is good, there are very cool glassy conditions.

And that day it fit...Until then I had only windsurfed so I had never had direct contact with surfing. I fell in love with that feeling, so I got my first board shortly after and since then, I have not stopped chasing it and trying to feel that feeling again. I live in the Maresme and work in Barcelona, so my spots are usually Arenys, Vilassar or Masnou, depending on the conditions or else I already enter Barcelona if it catches me near work (surfing with the skyline of Bcn is beautiful).

Then as soon as two or three days come together, I go up to the Basque Country or Cantabria. And what am I going to tell you...the place, the food, the people...I’m IN LOVE WITH THE NORTH (laughs).

How was the experience in the Spanish Championship of Surfing by Autonomies in Galicia?

Amazing, I loved it in every way. Internally with the national team, it was great, being able to share and live with the rest of the team and meet and learn from them was a super enriching experience that I hope to repeat soon. Then the organization, the place, the rest of the teams and obviously, the competition was quite a show. I take this opportunity to thank the Catalan Surf Federation for giving me this opportunity and counting on me. Already waiting for next year’s edition!

From Spain? And of the world! The first time in my life that I compete and I surfing in my heat against the 28 times world champion of Windsurf and 1 of SUP Surf, Iballa Ruano, my reference since when I was 4 years old I got on a windsurf board for the first time. ... We were waiting for the heat to start and I was telling him that when I was little I had my room lined with his posters (laughs) ...

For me it is an opportunity to share waves with all those mega riders, there are level and very good vibes. Where I move, apart from the fact that there are usually not as good wave conditions as in other areas, there are very few girls who practice SUP Surf so it is difficult to have a benchmark to measure themselves to improve.

We give you a paddle, a kite or a wing and we are sure that you will always put on the same happy face. How much physical and psychological satisfaction does practising all these sports give you?

Yes, the truth is that I do not care what I get into the water with, each of these sports is a challenge and the opportunity to improve and compete with myself day by day. For me it is very important to be in a good physical and psychological level to put myself in according to what conditions, it is very important to never lose respect for the sea. But then it’s super satisfying when you manage to pull off that trick or catch that sizable wave that you missed on other occasions. (laughs)

What material are you using now to make SUP and Foil?

Right now I just got the new Source Pro Carbon 7.3 from Redwoodpaddle, and it looks spectacular...I hope the waves will come in tomorrow because if not, I’ll slip into the wave pool at the water park (laughs). Also, my friends at Redwoodpaddle know that I love a challenge and they have also sent me a 6.9 x 23 rocket. At the moment it is like a bull, but we will tame it.

Well, the truth is that my day depends a bit on the previous one, I come from a pharmaceutical family and by having my own business I can have a little more flexibility in the schedule. If there are waves that day, I usually get up very early and go into the water as soon as the sun rises. On the other hand, if the forecast is windier, that day I start earlier to be able to be free in the early afternoon. The problem comes in the day when waves are square in the morning and wind in the afternoon, then it’s time to work at night (laughs).

Before starting pharmacy I worked as a dental hygienist, I have never wanted to quit completely so I continue to work a couple of afternoons a week. Besides, I also continue studying, right now I am with a double master’s degree in marketing and electronic commerce from EAE. Also, it’s been a while since I’ve been fond of playing paddle tennis ... how cool to be able to specify a day and an hour and know that you don’t have to wait for any previous to match, eh? What if ... I’m a fish out of the water on the track.

Catalonia has a huge potential for water sports. What do you think it takes to have more people doing SUP Surf and especially girls?

The truth is that we always have very good conditions, I go into the water almost every day. Many times people come up to me on the beach or they write to me on social networks and they always say things like: “how cool”, “I would love to do the same”, “it must be incredible to do that”. And I always say the same, you can do it too! The beginnings are always tough, but wanting is power. I always recommend making groups so that people can join together, share the sessions, give each other advice and feel more secure. So now you know, everyone to the water!

The Spanish SUP Surf Championship is coming, autumn with excellent waves and a whole future ahead. Are you ready for great emotions?

That always, eager for new experiences, good sessions and meeting new people in and out of the water. That in the end, that’s what it’s all about...We share an incredible sport (or way of life) and together we have to promote good vibes in the water and take care of our beaches and seas.

Thanks to...

To all the people (family, friends and brands) who support me every day to be able to continue faithfully with this lifestyle that is sometimes difficult to explain (and above all to make understood) someone who does not share this passion. And finally, thanks to all those people who in one way or another make this world and these sports bigger by creating initiatives, supporting riders and encouraging people who want to venture out to try it. Greetings to all and see you in the water!