CATCHUP

The legendary Moreno Twins on returning to Maui and exciting new projects in the pipeline

With the world’s best female wave sailors returning to Maui for the first time since 2006 for the 2014 Starboard Severne Aloha Classic, we decided to catch up with the legendary twins - Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) and Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - who have dominated the sport for well over a decade. Daida currently leads the world rankings ahead of Iballa, but will she be able to defend her lead in order to claim back-to-back world titles? Find out by tuning into www.pwaworldtour.com from the 29th October when the final wave event of the season kicks off. For now, read their interview below:

PWA: After the event in Sylt, where there was no wind, what have you both been up to?

Iballa: “I was in Fuerteventura for one week training SUP while no wind for a European SUP contest in north of Spain. After that a few days at home in Gran Canaria with Daida doing some protects with Daida. 

One of them was visiting San Juan De Dios in Las Palmas, it’s a centre that helps kids with special needs that are born disabled. They educate them from an early age and also helps them create a better life for them and their families”

“It’s something hard to see but that’s life. Anfi Group (@anfigroup) is our new sponsor and they have been helping this Centre since a long time. They made a new donation to the institution and we were the ambassadors of this project. It was very touching and I was very grateful to be able to help in some way the society and this kids with special needs.”

Daida: “I have been back home in Gran Canaria doing 7 hours a day at a private rehabilitation company doing my internship practices of my 4th and last year of physiotherapy degree. There was only two days of wind after Sylt, so sailed those two days and train a bit my cardio.”

PWA: You’ve just announced a new sponsorship deal… can you tell us a little bit more about it? Who they are and what they do?

Iballa: “Yes we visited this center and announced our new sponsorship deal for the rest of this season and the upcoming season 2015. Anfi Group (https://anfi.com). The Anfi Group has been Europe’s leading Vacation Membership company for more than two decades setting the benchmark for luxury and lifelong perfect holidays.”

“Founded in Gran Canaria in 1988 by the Norwegian entrepreneur, Björn Lyng, the Anfi Group’s principal resorts are Anfi del Mar and Anfi Tauro Golf & Luxury Resorts.

Carved out of the volcanic rock on the island’s sun kissed south-west coast of Mogán, the Resorts are composed of five clubs, a white sand beach, marina, shopping centre and a heart shaped island.

With a championship 18-hole golf course and a par-3 course we offer you unique holiday paradise which blends in perfectly with its natural surroundings. We are now the new ambassadors of this Canarian company”. 

Daida: “Anfi is a huge company founded in Gran Canaria, leaders of vocational membership company for more than two decades setting the benchmark for luxury and lifelong perfect holidays. Their principal resorts are Anfi de Mar and Anfi Tauro & Luxury Resorts. It’s basically a perfect place to stay on your holidays in Gran Canaria, you pay once and you can stay on their calm weather for the rest of your life. A perfect place to stay for your windsurfing vacations with your family, with white sand beach, a marina port, shopping centre and a beautiful island to visit with great weather during all year. The place is located SW of the Island on Gran Canaria, just only 20 minuted from Pozo Izquierdo, the best windsurfing spot of Europe ;-).”

PWA: Do you already have some projects lined up with them?

Iballa: “Yes. They also have Alberto Contador (Spanish professional cyclist, one of six riders to have won all three Grand Tours of road cycling) and David Silva (Famous soccer player from Gran Canaria as well, plays in Spanish Soccer Selection and currently in Manchester City). We will probably be doing new things with them soon. We will surely keep doing with them more solitary actions throughout the year to keep helping kids with cancer and special needs in Gran Canaria.”

Daida: “We are really proud to reprint a local company like this, with strong values such as solidarity. We had world with them already in several events donating money to kids with cancer and San Juan de Dios announced on our Facebook page @moreotwins. Also glad to say there are many other important projects lining for a near future we will constantly announce on our social media, like windsurfing with kids with special physical and mental requirements.”

PWA: For the first time in six years the women’s wave fleet will be returning to Maui, how are you feeling ahead of the event and when was the last time you were both on Maui?

Iballa: “Yes, 2006 was the last one. I’m happy to see this coming back as it’s one of my favourite spots. At the same time and through out the years we didn’t have the chance to come to Maui as often to practice and that gives a lot more chances to local girls who are sailing everyday at Ho’okipa. We will try our best. Our main goal its to keep our podium places.”

Daida: “In the last past years PWA couldn’t consider women fleet into this great event due to budget problems, which it make us feel a bit disappointed. Not it’s time for the girls finally people had invest money to have a women pro fleet here. Maui is a special place, haven’t been here for long time due to personal budget problems as many of the european girls who do the Tour, but we will try to do our best and we will see what happen. There are plenty of local girls who rip here and sail every single day in the spot. Starboard tack conditions are not my strong point, but I’ve sailed in this spot for many years before and I will try to have fun and enjoy the place anyway. We will see what happens then.”

PWA: When will you be flying out to Maui? And what equipment are you going to be taking with you? 

Iballa: “We just arrived last night! So ready to hit the water soon. I brought 74L and 69 Litters Starboard Quad. from 4,0 Severne Blade to 4,7 Blade.”

Daida: “We just arrived here last night. Have 69, 72 and 79L boards and sails from 4.0 up to 4.7.”

PWA: Production boards or custom?

Iballa: “Always production! Since we joined Starboard we use production boards in Carbon construction.”

PWA: Thanks Iballa and Daida. Congrats on the new sponsorship deal and good luck for the competition.

If you don’t do so already then be sure to follow Iballa and Daida on Facebook here and Twitter and Instagram @morenotwins.