Presents Rip Curl Argentina

The 2017 world junior champion, Ignacio Gundensen, captured his strange 2020 in  a film shot and edited by Pico Estrada and Álvaro Arano, made a couple of in-person presentations and now brings it to the WWW.

In the following paragraphs he shares an interview with DUKE about the film, 2020 and what he has in mind for 2021.

The film is worth watching, following him in one of the best winters in Mar del Plata in years, after he didn't surf for 100 days and returned to the water being one of only three allowed to do so.

After hitting a few tubes, he plans a trip to the North Shore, out of nowhere, where he downs some chocolates.

How did the idea of ​​making this film come about?
The idea came to me in Brazil, I was leaving for Argentina on January 12th and with all the material I had from winter at home and Hawaii, I had to produce something. At that moment I started to get motivated and we got down to work with Alvaro Arano and Pico Estrada.

What led you to do a face-to-face presentation instead of launching it directly online?
Before I had the short and even talked to the editors, I contacted the guys at Hops to see if there was a possibility of doing it on the beach. It was like a dream I had, of spending time on the beach that taught me everything.

How do you think it was received by the public?
I think it was beautiful and conveyed many things. The video talks a lot about the value of nature, and being on the beach at night and with a full moon, I think everyone loved it.

Present the film, what can you see?
In the film you can see the story of a boy who was affected by the pandemic like everyone else in the world.. It tells the story of the good and bad side that he had but always taking the positive and moving forward.A winter at home with high waves and Hawaii to finish.

It tells the story of the good and bad side that he had but always taking the positive and moving forward.

The contrast is clear: In eight years you didn't spend an entire winter at home... What did you like about cold surfing in Mar del Plata?
It was good that everyone was there, normally we are not in Argentina all winter between trips and tournaments. They hit high waves and enjoyed the level of water. I think it was one of the best winters of the decade.

"I think one of the best winters of the decade"

What didn't you like?
It was cold at first, I hadn't put on all my gear for a long time. Then I got used to it.

There was one episode that was probably very strange: at one point, only you, Orne and Lele were able to surf along the entire Argentine coast. How did you experience it?
It was a bit strange, on the one hand we could surf and train for the goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games, but the fact that not everyone could surf “legally” did not leave us at ease. I think it was a good way to set an example and show that surfing itself does not pose any kind of risk of contagion.

In the film there is a session where you get filled with left-handed tubes, was it your favorite?
I think my favorite part is the midwinter in August. Very mystical and shows a lot of what it's like to spend a winter at home.

And then there was a trip to Hawaii in the middle of the pandemic. What was that experience like? You got a few waves.
It was crazy! Until the last day we didn't know if we were going to get on the plane or not. Covid tests, forms, etc. In the end everything worked out and we made the most of it.

You have drawn positive conclusions from the pandemic, but do you want a year like 2020 to repeat itself?
I think it taught us a lot. Personally, it reminded me of how beautiful my city was in winter and spending a lot of time with my family. It was very positive, but I want to compete (laughs).

I think the positive thing is all the learning

"I think it taught us a lot. For me personally it reminded me of how beautiful my city was in winter and spending a lot of time with family. It was very positive, but I want to compete."

What plans do you have for 2021, given the little that is known?
A year with everything. Without depending so much on whether the tournaments are confirmed. Making my trips and projects. Being 100% in case the tournaments are confirmed, being with everything.