All about surfing in Colombia with Simon Salazar

In recent years, Simón Salazar has become one of the leading figures in Colombian surfing. His presence as a competitor in international events and his work as a commentator at the ISA World Championships brought him a point of reference for a country that has an enormous coastline but for a long time remained a big question mark for the world of surfing.

Simon spends a lot of time between his home in California and traveling around the world to work for the ISA. He is a very charismatic person, a talented regular footer who always seeks to learn from his colleagues and together with his friend from Barranquilla, Daniel Olmos, they try to help in the evolution of surfing in their country.

Mention 5 things that people should know about surfing in Colombia.
Five things are too few to describe this beautiful country, and I think the best thing is for each person to come and experience it on their own.

A. There is surfing in Colombia on both its coasts, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

B. has many waves breaking alone on all its beaches

C. The waves are good for surfing.

D. Colombia has more than 10 accents, which belong to each of its regions and also have different customs, not all of us speak like in the soap operas!

E. And yes, women are beautiful!

What is the best thing about being a Colombian surfer?
It is having the opportunity to help with the evolution of the sport in the country, which is several years behind in other South American countries. On the other hand, you can enjoy beaches where many of the sessions take place alone or with a few friends, and you meet the largest number of people in the water, which rarely number more than 15.

And the worst?
The surf industry is practically non-existent, which makes it difficult to support athletes. It is up to us to create awareness in each person so that they see surfing as an Olympic sport. The fact that they are often solitary sessions means that they are only stored in memory because photographers, when they see the perfect breaking waves, do not hesitate for a second to put away their camera and take out their boards to go into the water.

How did you get into the world of surfing event commentary and voiceover?

My first experience in broadcasting was in Panama, at an event of the ALAS Latin American tour. Mateo Rojas, ISA broadcaster, asked me if I wanted to stay at that event and that’s where it all started. Then I did most of the broadcasts at the ALAS tour events and in 2014, after finishing a stop in Engabao, Ecuador, Andres Mascaro, ISA broadcaster, approached me and told me that he had listened to the ALAS broadcasts and that they were needing an ISA broadcaster in Spanish. After that, I had an interview with the ISA and since then I have had the honor of being able to report on the sport that I love and that with so much effort I learn a little more each time.

In many events you have competed and worked driving at the same time, isn't it a bit strange to be on both sides of the counter?
Two of my passions come together: surfing, which is the most important, and broadcasting. I think that having that energy, that desire and that passion should not be wasted and I think that being a competitor gives me a better perspective of the situations because I have been there in that position, so I can bring a real feeling to all the spectators and also, why not: If competing was what led me to broadcasting, then I want to compete until my body gives out or the organizers tell me that it is not possible (laughs).

Who is the best surfer in Colombia?
It's hard to say, but right now in Colombia there's Giorgio Gomes, Anderson and Jefferson Tascón, Howard Gomez, Daniel Olmos, Juan José Ochoa and Marcelo Gil from the Wiwaa tribe who really raised the bar a bit. But in the end, the best surfer is the one who has the most fun.

Where are the best waves in the country?
I really like this question because it's something I hear all the time, and my answer is that all along the coast, whether it's the Caribbean or the Pacific, there's a time and place to find perfect waves. I'm going to name a couple of waves so you don't leave empty-handed. Some of the best waves in Colomba are: In the Caribbean, Isla Fuerte in the department of Bolívar, Punta Roca in the Atlantic, Los Naranjos and Casa Grande.  in the Tayrona sector in the department of Magdalena. In the Pacific, Pico e loro in Nuqui, Chocó, El Almejal in Bahía Solano Chocó, and many others that it is only a matter of coming to be able to enjoy them.

People associate Colombia with the guerrillas and Escobar… How real is that in your country’s daily life?
This will always be something that will be talked about because of the history of my country. Time will be the best friend, and I think that the only thing I can do is to be able to show all of you who I share the beauty of Colombia and why you should come visit to have an unforgettable experience.

Jack Freestone recently made a board with a drawing of Pablo Escobar. How did you feel about him? Did you speak to him or his wife, Alana?
(Laughs) This was something that was talked about in the surfing community in Colombia, because thanks to the television series, which I feel idolize these kinds of people like Escobar, they give the wrong idea to everyone who watches them that it can be offensive to Escobar's victims.

Believe me, if I had to talk to Alana, that would have been the last thing I would have asked her (laughs), and if I had talked to Jack, I would have asked him how those aerials are done.

What is your main goal for 2018?

First of all, this is one of my main goals, to be able to show the world how beautiful Colombia is, its waves, its surfing, and being in DUKE is a dream. Other goals of mine for 2018 are to be Colombian champion, to ride big waves and make a name for myself in this art of enjoying waves, and finally, to ride the ALAS Latin American tour.

But for now everything is a struggle, since I am looking for sponsors for this year. In the same way, I will continue to take Colombia to the top and always work for the evolution of surfing in my country.