Interview with Jonas Ceballos
Q: When did you enter your first PWA world cup?
JC: Five years ago, here in Gran Canaria when I was 15 years old.
Q: Do you enjoy competing in the big PWA events?
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JC: Yes I do, for sure. This is my dream since I was 9 years old. I am happy all the time that I am on the water. I like competing because the feeling is incredible. When I am in a heat, I feel like I vanish off the face of the earth, I'm in my world, concentrating on what I am doing.
Q: What have you learned from these competitions?
JC: The thing is… in the competition area there is a lot of tension. Everybody wants to win. My main thing I have learned is not to panic if a heat starts badly. There is always time to come back and improve your performance.
Q: Your table tops are looking extremely tweaked...what is the secret?
JC: I tell you it is not a secret! The secret is; first you have to find a vertical wave. Then you have to jump really vertical and to try to give a big ninja kick to the sky. Once I have kicked I try to always look at the nose of the board or down to the water. So this is my secret...be careful!
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Q: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
JC: My plans are to leave for France in September to do a wave contest in Carro. Following this I will go to the north of France with my friend Yann Sune for to do a travel report. Then I have to do another wave contest in France, the Wissant wave classic. After this I will go to continue doing the world cup (Sylt and Ireland). Right now I am studying the possibility of going to Maui in November. Finally I will travel to Bonaire to do the freestyle final.
Q: Who are your favorite other sailors and why?
JC: I like Francisco Goya, his feeling is incredible. To me, he is the best wave rider in the world.
Q: What is your number one maneuver and why?
JC: I like super high back loops because I like to feel like I am flying. Three weeks ago one guy told me that I jump so high that some day I will come back down out of the atmosphere.
Q: What are your favorite conditions...wind...sail size and board?
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JC: My favorite conditions is 3.7 full power...probably 40 knots. I like to have two-meter waves so I can jump sky high. My favorite board for these conditions is the Fanatic 241 Francisco Goya pro model 2003.
Q: Three words to describe yourself?
JC: Funny, creative, flying!