“It’s another dream! I feel so lucky!”
Interview with Marco Mignot, who is going to Slater's pool to define the Young Guns and is the new leader of the European junior ranking
Chatting with Marco Mignot is like breathing a breath of fresh air. The kid is happy to be alive and happy to be able to do everything he's going through! And he transmits good vibes in his voice. In his answers he says that he likes people to be inspired by his surfing, and it seems like he's doing just that!
Marco is 17, he is Mexican but he is French and he is also Spanish, and on paper he competes for the blues even though he lived all his life in blessed Sayulita. He has a brother and a cousin Nomme and Diego, who have had many moments of success in the QS, but have not managed to get into the CT… The family's chips are now on the youngest.
He has just won a place in the Young Guns grand final at Slater's pool and has been the leader of the European junior rankings since last weekend.
This is what he had to say:
How do you train for a wave like Slater's pool?
I'm watching a lot of wavepool videos right now and I'm visualizing everything I have to do and then I see. I'm really excited so when the time comes I'm going to give it my all.
What did you do when you found out you won the spot and were going there?
I really couldn't believe it, it was like something I've been dreaming about all year and watching all the videos of the pros... It's another dream! I feel so lucky, I'm really happy.
Are you French or Mexican? Tell us how things are divided in your life, in your family…
I am French but I have never lived in France and I have lived almost all my life in Mexico, but no, I am not Mexican. My mother is Spanish and my father is French.
I'll make it complicated for you: If there is a Mexico vs France World Cup final, who are you rooting for?
If the final happens, I'm not really into football, but France is. Or, well, let the best team win. I like to watch cool games, I was very happy because France won, but let the best team win.
How would you say your surfing is characterized? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are that I believe in myself, even if I'm not going to say that I can't beat Kelly Slater, I believe in myself and if I believe that I can do it, I can. And I think my weak points are the big waves, but I've improved a lot and I'm training hard for that.
What is your goal in your career as a surfer, CT, free surfing or are you going to go to university and stop competing (hahaha)?
For now my dream is to be in the CT and I also like making freesurf videos and inspiring people; giving a good message, finding waves that no one has surfed. I don't think I'll go to university, it's not my goal in life (laughs)... For now I love surfing and I want to keep loving it, it's my goal in life, where I feel good, my philosophy and where I feel comfortable.
How important have your brother and cousin been to your surfing development? Tell us about them.
My brother and my cousin Nomme and Diego, well, without them I wouldn't have been where I am today, and I'm grateful for all the help they've given me and all the good vibes.
When they went on trips and I didn't, I wanted to go, and they motivated me even more and I went surfing every day. And, well, one day I went with them and little by little I started traveling more and now I'm all over the world and I do what I love.
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