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Pictured above: From left to right: Cabrero, Dean Morrison, Andy Irons and Braden Dias. That was seconds before the Puerto Rican jumped off the podium and straight into the ocean, looking for the tubes and achieving the first Latin victory in history at Pipeline. Photo: Surfer's archive

Carlos Cabrero's victory at the 2000 HIC Pipe Pro will forever be remembered as one of the greatest achievements in the history of Latin American surfing.

Not only was it the only time this event was won by a Latin American, it was also the first time that someone from the region won at Pipe, and it was also one of only two victories by goofy footers on the wave so far this millennium (the other was Rob Machado, considering Pipe Masters and Pipe Pros).

Cabrero was a well-known tube rider at the time, along with his compatriots Otto Flores and Chino Sue-A-Quan, they stood out in Hawaii, but as he says: “Nobody expected that this little country boy from Santurce, Puerto Rico, would win the HIC Pipe Pro in 2000.”

History is written about these exploits. Below, the protagonist details it in an interview:

When you think about that victory, what's the first thing that comes to mind?
It was jumping off the stage after the interview before the final. It was the moment where I felt the most determined in my entire life.

There are very few surfers who have won at Pipe, and winning at Pipe is no small feat. How do you see it now, almost 20 years later?
Every year when the February Pipe event starts, I have many memories and I feel very proud of having won it. In this millennium, only two goofy footers have managed to win at Pipe: Rob Machado and me. You can imagine how exciting it is to be able to say that I am Puerto Rican and I represent Latin America and to achieve such a great achievement in this sport that is so competitive worldwide. It was the biggest dream I have had since I started surfing.

According to reports, there were some good waves of 8 to 10 feet, tell us what it was like, in your own words.
They were excellent all day, the swell kept going up and the waves looked like my favourite beach, Chatarra. I used a 6'8 made by Glen Minami, it was not normal to ride with such a short board for that size of waves at that time.

To win you had to get an excellent grade, how did the final go?
I needed a great wave and I got a 9,6 with seven minutes to go. It was the longest seven minutes of my entire career.

You were well known in tube waves, but it would be nice to know how much of a surprise your victory was. Especially in a final against locals like Andy Irons and Braden Dias. And along the way you beat Pancho Sullivan, Michael Ho, Myles Padaca, and David Gonsalves, among others… How did the Hawaiians look at you and what was the commentary on the beach?
It was very strange because I was sitting hidden in the bushes and I didn't see anyone. That same day I won, I had to leave for Puerto Rico on a flight at six in the afternoon and I didn't return to Hawaii for 10 months.

I can say that nobody expected this country boy from Santurce, Puerto Rico, to win the HIC Pipe Pro in 2000.

How did it happen that you jumped off the stage?
When they interviewed all the finalists, I was the one furthest from the stairs, so I jumped off the stage onto the beach. I thought that I wanted to win the final and that I didn't have to follow the other competitors. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Reports from the time quote you dedicating the victory to Puerto Rico and your brother. Why did you dedicate it to him?
I dedicated the victory to my brother for many reasons: Manuel Cabrero passed away in 1996 and during the waiting period I caught one of the best waves of my life at Pipe and I dedicated it to him. The best of all was that the final days were during his birthday. With Quique, as we called him, we are always together in the sea and every incredible tube I catch I continue to dedicate to him. Brother: I love you forever. Five months earlier my daughter, Havanna, was born, you can imagine the motivation I felt for her.

Do you think that in Puerto Rico you are remembered and valued for that impressive victory?
The victory at Pipe is part of the history of world surfing, it will always be remembered as a triumph for Latin America and Puerto Rico.

What would you recommend to other Latin surfers to help them win at Pipe?
You have to believe that you are one of the best tube racers in the world and on competition day be a little selfish and think that the first place trophy is just for you.

Which Latino have you seen surfing Pipe well lately?
Peruvians and Carlos Muñoz.