Iker and Adur Amatriain, 17 and 14, have been the future of Zarautz for some time, although in just one afternoon they gave us enough reasons to think that they are already the present.
On March 20, Spring officially arrived and the the Basque Country try to leave behind a winter quite a fight in which they have fought Rain records since 1950 and where you could almost say that there has been more snow than sunshine. After a bad week of surfing, it seemed that finally on Friday we were going to see the light so we went over Zarautz to take a bath with the Amatriain.
Iker and Adur are two of the sons of Ibon Amatriain, one of the most renowned Tamañeros in the area and examples such as being the first European invited to Eddie Aikau They support it. It has been seen for some time now that their children They were coming on strong with a very mature and complete surfing despite their early age.
DUKE: So guys, how's your week been?ADUR: Well, I finished exams on Tuesday so surfing now.IKER: I also took my last exam yesterday, I did pretty well, actually.D: How is school going?IKER: Well. This year I started doing distance learning because it was impossible to combine the school calendar with the championships and the trips. The truth is that it is quite difficult because you have to work harder on your own.D: Which subject do you have the most trouble with?IKER: Philosophy (laughs)! I'm more into science. I'm good at maths and physics, but I find it hard to memorize in my head.
D: Could you say how many times you missed class last year for championships or to follow swells?A: I had to say a few times that I had an upset stomach hahaha But now the truth is that I miss baths because in these courses I can't fail so much anymore.I: We did the math and last year I had two months of absences, so we saw that it was no longer feasible to follow the school calendar. At first the teachers took it badly, but over time they understand that it is the profession you are choosing and you have to find other ways to fulfill both.A: Thank goodness we got good grades! (laughs).D: Okay, enough of school! Let's go surfing, how's the year going?I: So far we have done the QS in the Canary Islands, surfed at home and some big wave sessions.D: How did you do on that QS? I imagine you were one of the youngest…I: It would probably be Adur, yes. I was wrong. There were hardly any waves in my heat and I went out on the street but then I stayed there surfing for a few days and it was amazing.
D: Adur, when was the last time you beat your older brother?A: Here in Zarautz, at Aritz Aranburu’s “Pro 4 Teens” championship.I: Yes, two or three years ago.A: And FIFA! (laughs).
D: Something characteristic of the Amatriain:A: (Thinks)...that Iker and my father are leading the invention.I: (Laughs). Yes, it's my father's habit. I started the same way when I was little and since I tried to put it behind me, it was uncomfortable, so it's still there.D: Another topic of your family, big waves:I: This year I competed in Roka Puta and it went well and in the Deba big wave championship I reached the final.A: It's more adrenaline.D: Do you surf your own spikes?I: Before we went in with my aita (father in Basque) but now I have an 8'0 that Adur also uses.
D: How do you handle the boards?A: The one I've been working with the most at Pukas lately is Matt Biolos. I wear a 5'2 but I don't remember the other measurements haha.I: I surf a 5'7 x 17 ¼ x 2 1/8.D: And how do you choose or change the measurements?I: We tell our father how we think the board is going. How the measurements feel and then he translates it into numbers to Pukas haha.A: We almost always surf with our father.I: Yes, he watches us surf a lot so his feedback is very important to choose boards that work for us in different conditions.
D: Where do you see yourselves in five years? I: It is very difficult but well, for now I would like to be in the CT if possible or at least be in the fight for the top 100 QS doing the prime. D: Finally, if you were allowed to choose a trip, which one would it be?I: Indonesia with Adur and dad. Enough (laughs). A: I think Tahiti is amazing. There is also a lot of fishing there and our father likes it a lot too.D: Nice bath by the way, you fought for it. Bye guys. Goodbye!
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