The young woman from Zarautz, Nadia Erostarbe, could already be European champion. This title, the most important of her career, depends on whether she makes the fifth and final stage of the European tour, scheduled to take place in Sopela from 18 to 22 July. If she doesn't make it, Nadie is champion and if she does, she has an advantage going into the final stage. She, as she says in the following interview, already achieved her goal by winning her first WSL event last week.

While waiting for that decision, Nadia spoke with DUKE about the good moment she is having, her day-to-day life and what is to come.

What happened this year that has made things so good for you? Last year you finished eighth and now you are first. How did it all go?
In August I changed coaches, now I'm with Julen Lasa and this winter I've been training more than ever. I've been going to the pool before school and then surfing until dark. Then I've either gone to the gym or gone swimming again or whatever.

I also have new boards and this year I have lost a lot of weight and I am eating much healthier. So, as in the championships there are usually small waves, since I am lighter, the waves take me more and all that has had an influence.

Last year I finished eighth, there were terrible waves and I didn't have the best equipment. This year I have a new coach and better boards. I also went to Australia to surf and I improved a lot. There you see how everyone surfs and you realise everything, what level you are at and it motivates you a lot. Back then I was in Australia putting in a lot of hours to surf and I think that has had an influence too.

And specifically in the Biscarrosse competition, what do you feel you did differently?
At the Biscarrosse championships I didn't do anything different from the others, it's just that I had already been in two Junior finals and one QS final and so on, I wasn't that nervous. I was thinking that I had nothing to lose and that there were good waves, so I should enjoy the good waves and that's it. I was thinking that I was just following my surfing, so there was no pressure and I surfed the way I know how to surf... I won in the end.

I think the most important thing is not to feel pressured, so I was relaxed because I had finished second and third in the other finals and I was happy. I had nothing to lose in this one.

What do you know will happen to get the European Championship? Is there going to be one more stage or what?
It is not yet known whether the Sopelana championship will take place, it is still in “tentative” mode. I think they will decide this week. If it takes place, there will be another race and one more race counts, so the others also have one more chance. My goal this year was to win a Pro Junior and that's it, I have achieved it. Now I will try to be European champion, or at least qualify for the world championship.

What can you tell us about yourself in general terms? Who is Nadia Erostarbe?
Nadia Erostarbe is a 17-year-old girl from Zarautz who has been surfing since she was little, lives on the beach and is in her second year of high school. He is studying hard for the university entrance exams And I think what I like most is surfing, being with my family, my friends and having fun. More than anything that. I also like watching movies, skateboarding and snowboarding.

Which local surfers inspire you?
Well, there are many, including Aritz. Aranburu and Hodei Collazo, and all of their squad. Seeing the evolution they have had in surfing, the results they have achieved and where they have arrived. And having them so close to surfing is incredible.

My inspiration has also been my parents, who taught me how to surf, and my uncle Erik Erostarbe. After all, they were the ones who were there with me every day on the beach and in the water when I was little.

How do you combine your skills with your studies?
The truth is that it is a bit difficult to combine competition with studies because, after all, I don't have any easier exams than others because I am a surfer. Apart from studying, I have surfing as a professional, so it is quite difficult. Apart from studying, I have to train every day, surf every day.

I try to study instead of watching TV. When I have exams, I don't usually go surfing as much and I stop for a bit. For example, right now I'm at the top of my A-levels and I don't stop surfing, but I'm spending fewer hours in the water. For example, in the third part of this course I've been away for two months, between going to Australia and having competitions. The truth is that the school helps me a lot because they've changed my exams.

It's been a bit hard and stressful for me because I've had to do everything at once, all the competitions and important exams have come at the same time. I've tried to combine things as best as possible and in the end I've got everything so far. I'm taking the entrance exams and training for the next championship as well.

What a day!!! I am really happy with my first place in a JQS. Thanks to everyone who attended the warm welcome party. Also thank you @lasajulen for all the support and to @cabiancadesign for the magic board! Now time to study and keep training!!???

A publication shared by Nadia Erostarbe (@nadiaerostarbe) the May 20, 2018 at 1:44 PDT

What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
In principle I'm going to do the juniors I have left here and the QS. In principle, in the summer I'm going to California to surf and train a lot for the championships here. In Lacanau, Anglet and see if I can get into Pantín. I'm going to do these and then I'm not sure yet whether to go to Japan or Brazil. I'm also going to take a trip to do the QS. As I'm going to take a sabbatical next year, I'm going to dedicate it all to surfing, training and competing in the QS. I'm going to try to do everything as well as possible.

And for the rest of your career?
At first I'm going to do the QS and see how it goes. Next year I'm going to do a sabbatical, but in two years I'm going to try to start a career, to do something, because you know that becoming a professional surfer is very difficult. If you do make it, it won't last forever. More than anything, I'm going to study something and keep competing at the same time and see how it goes. My dream, as you know, would be to be a professional surfer, like almost everyone else's, but at first I'm going to dedicate myself to studying and competing in the international QS and try to do my best.