Aspiring Talents

Marino Gil (Goya Windsurfing) may just be 15-years-old but that hasn’t stopped the young protege from claiming the first, of probably many, scalps after he took down John Skye (RRD / RRD Sails) in this year’s Tenerife PWA World Cup to claim his first heat victory at Pro level. For the last two seasons Gil has been a cut above in his age category, which has seen him claim emphatic victories in the Youth division in both 2016 and ’17. Gil admits that he has a love for competing, so that paired with his undoubted natural talent make him one of the most exciting emerging talents in the world of windsurfing, who could well be a future world champion in the making. We recently caught up with Marino for an interview which you can read below.

Hey Marino how’s it going? Firstly can you tell us a little bit more about yourself? How old you are and where you’re from?

Hi, my name is Marino Gil, I’m 15 years old, and I live in Gran Canaria, Agüimes. I was born here in Spain and my father and my brother are from Argentina.

When and how did you first get into windsurfing? And what is it that you love about the sport?

I started windsurfing since I was very small, my father was the one made me enjoy the sport. At 7 years old my father gave me my first windsurfing gear and I never stopped practicing since then.

The thing that I love about this sport is that you are always in contact with nature and also the adrenaline of jumping, but the thing that I like the most is competing, that's what I love.

At what point did you become addicted to windsurfing and realise you want to turn this from a sporting hobby into sporting profession?

I love that windsurfing is a part of my life and I want to be a professional in this sport - as I compete and succeed my passion for windsurfing continues to grow.

Best result so far? Pro and Youth?

My best result from the Pro Men’s was this year in Tenerife advancing my first heat against John Skye, and in the Junior’s I have won my age category for the last two years.

What’s your ultimate goal for the future?

My future goal is to become world champion.

Who is your windsurfing idol(s)?

I don't really have one, but I want to be a person like Victor Fernandez, really relaxed and always concentrating, to jump like Philip [Köster] or Ricardo [Campello] and surf like Marcilio Browne. 

What do you think your strengths are?

I think my strength is jumping.

And where do you think you need to improve?

I need to improve in the surfing part.

Favourite location to sail?

The places that I travel to are the best places for me - so Pozo Izquierdo - it’s a really windy place.

Where would you most like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?

I really want to go to Hawaii, that is my dream place.

Favourite equipment setup?

The best equipment set up for me is 3.4m and 68l board.

Favourite conditions?

My favourite conditions are strong wind and medium sized waves.  

Favourite jump / wave manoeuvre?

My favourite jump is a really big stalled forward and my favourite wave move is the air taka.

What would be your perfect day?

My perfect day is to get up not to early, then go to Pozo, have an epic session, have a really good lunch, then hang out a little bit with my friends and go for an epic evening session to finish the day. 

Do you have any superstitions?

No I don't have any superstitions. 

Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest, dead or alive?

jajajajaja I prefer an alive person, I think that I want to have dinner with Kai Lenny.

Most visited website?

My most visited websites are Windsurfing.TV and Continent7

A phrase you live by?

My phrase is: ‘Go big or go home.’

Thanks Marino.

You can keep up to date with all of Marino Gil’s news and progress via his Social Media Networks:

Facebook: @marinogilgerhardi2002 

Instagram: @marinito111