20 Questions
Ricardo Campello (Point-7 / MFC) is one of the biggest names in the windsurfing world. The 31-year-old shot to fame in the early 2000s when the Venezuelan/Brazilian dominated the freestyle world tour, which saw Campello crowned world champion for three successive seasons between 2003-05.
Campello is still widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and talented windsurfers there is and his radical and fearless approach mean it is impossible to take your eyes off him - whether that be in competitions or freesailing. So far the wave world title has evaded him - though he has been extremely close on several occasions - could 2017 be his year? With so much talent he's impossible to rule out and you can expect to see another title challenge in 2017. We recently caught up with Ricardo for a candid 20 Question interview, which you can read below.
Why are you so passionate about windsurfing?
Because it is a completely different lifestyle, you have the joy to travel all over the world doing what you love, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and you spend 90% of your time with nature.
What quality do you like most in other people?
Friendship and loyalty.
What annoys or frustrates you the most?
Lies, corruption and violence.
What do you most like in yourself?
I consider myself a very loyal person.
What do you dislike in yourself?
Sometimes I’m very stubborn, actually most of the times, I also get angry really easy.
What has been your best moment on tour?
When I was competing in freestyle back in the days when I was winning pretty much every heat and I was so confident with myself.
What has been your worst moment on tour?
Probably when I was second in the ranking in Cabo Verde in 2002 and I had the chance take first place, we ran the event with really light wind and small waves and it was a gamble… I lost my first heat, but luckily the forecast was horrible for the rest of the event. If we would have finished the first round of the single elimination I would have finished 8th instead of 2nd, but luckily the wind completely died and they couldn’t even finish the first round!
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself when your career started?
UMMM, no idea! Jajaja I like the way I lived, but I would actually (back in the days) instruct the new comers to deal better with their sponsors.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
There are too many, I can’t remember and just select one piece.
What would be your perfect day?
A sick Ho’okipa or Ponta Preta with just a few good friends and my girlfriend waiting for me at the beach and then have an amazing lunch or dinner?
Do you have any superstitions?
I used too because my dad is superstitious, but now I kind of gave up!
Which living person do you most admire?
My amazing mother.
What is your greatest fear?
The Venezuelan Government.
What is your most treasured possession?
My friends and family.
If you weren’t a professional windsurfer, what would you like to be?
Someone asked me that question yesterday and I couldn’t answer - still trying to find out haha.
Where would you most like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?
Some place snowy so I can Snowboard.
Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest, dead or alive?
Probably Kelly Slater!
How would you like to be remembered?
As a good person! Jajaja
Most visited website?
Youporn.com hahahaha joking! http://etradelatinamerica.com one of my upcoming projects !
A phrase you live by?
Live your life to the max, you never know when it;s your last day!