Carlos Muñoz will begin his year of competition without any financial support from a private company, according to information provided to Costa Rica's largest newspaper, La Nación, on Wednesday.

In the note, Muñoz says that Red Bull will not be renewing his contract and that he will pay for the first tournaments of the year in which he will compete with his savings. The surfer does have support from the Costa Rican government and is part of the scholarship system of the Costa Rican Institute of Sport and the Olympic Committee.

“It was a hard blow both on a sporting and personal level, to lose my main sponsor. One understands that it is part of this sport, so all that remains is to move forward. Fortunately, I had some money saved so I will be able to start the year in 6.000-point events in Hawaii, Brazil and Australia, where I can demonstrate the good level I currently have,” Muñoz explained to the Costa Rican media.

From January 29 to February 10, one of the surfer's favorite events takes place, the Pipe Pro at the queen of the waves, Banzai Pipeline, and Muñoz appears with a very good pre-qualification, in the round of 64 out of 144 competitors.

This good pre-qualification, which he will enjoy at least in the first half of the year, by finishing 35th in the QS,

“My manager is currently working to find other sponsors, in addition to the Ricante, FCS and Super brands (the latter two for accessories and surfboards). I hope to continue to count on the collaboration of the Olympic Committee and ICODER. Years ago, when I had companies that supported me, I didn't bother the national entities, but now I need other brands to be able to represent Costa Rica,” the surfer added to La Nación.

He also referred to his physical and mental state: “We are clear about the situation in the country and public institutions, which is why we are also going to knock on the doors of private companies. In recent months we have certainly raised the bar, we are physically well and now I lead a more orderly life at 25 years old. I have achieved important things for the country and I am confident that I can continue doing what I like, surfing.”

The Costa Rican is now the father of a 10-month-old baby girl and with this, his responsibilities in life have become much bigger.

In the note, Carlos also points out that his main objective is to reach Tokyo 2020 and that the means he has to do so, after having missed the Pan American Games (see note), is to also focus on the 2020 World Surfing Games.

Three years ago, Carlos Muñoz had two big sponsors with Red Bull and Volcom, who were known to pay good dividends for the athlete, since he was one of their main figures. At the beginning of 2017, Volcom did not renew its contract with the surfer after a 10-year relationship. Now, with the news of Red Bull, the Costa Rican star faces for the first time the reality of not having a main sponsor.