Note sponsored by Volcom

Miguel Tudela's presence at the Volcom Pipe Pro is already a classic, as is his stay at the most famous surfing house in the world, the Volcom House, the former home of Gerry López where the Peruvian occupies one of the best rooms.

This year, Miguel arrives with a different outlook than in previous years, with a year in which he avoided injuries, then he had surgery and now he has not competed for four months. But he says that his knee feels almost 100% and his focus and maturity have motivated him to face the challenge.

How can it be that a Pipe specialist like him has not improved by 17th? He answers this question in the following interview.

You might be interested in: Five surfers who arrive sharp at the Volcom Pipe Pro.

With the biggest band of Hispanic Americans in recent years, with a group of Peruvians that is very solid, this is how the Peruvian spends the days before:

How did you experience the days leading up to the Volcom Pipe Pro?
The days leading up to the event here in Hawaii have been super cool. We've been with the Inka team at the house, all training a lot, surfing the beach break, really with the best energy and waiting for the sea to get nice so we can start the event.

How do you see the forecast for the event?
It looks a little strange, but I think we're going to have some really good waves. We'll see how the winds go, if they change a bit. I think day three will be the first day of surfing.

You arrived quite late, was it by choice? Did you want to let your knee heal or was it for something else?
It was because I wanted to give my knee every possible moment and I wanted to arrive at the event as strong as possible. So I took advantage of every possible minute to strengthen my leg. The knee has been responding very well today and is almost at 100%.

Lots of Latin music and Inka Warriors, united on the North Shore, must be one of the Volcom Pipe Pros with the most Latinos. It must be good, how do you feel about it?
Yes, it's incredible to have this number of Latinos here representing everyone in search of the same goal, and the best thing is that we're all united waiting for things to happen. I hope a Latino wins the championship, and I hope it's from the Inka Team (laughs).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTrr9tt02HM

 

What was your favorite time-killing activity?
So far we have given them everything. The main thing has been the “fuchi” tennis, which we have been tough on and all the Latinos have been representing the “fuchi” well.

-Speaking of your days in Hawaii, you once again got a nice room at Gerry Lopez's house, it must be the best. Or what?  
Absolutely. Arriving and being able to stay at the Volcom house, at Gerry López's house, having a big, comfortable bed, in a room facing Pipe, I think is priceless and it is something I have to thank Volcom very much for, because without them this would not be possible.

Two 17s in the last two VPPs are the two best results, but you have been seen breaking through at Pipe. Without wanting to put too much pressure on you, what is your analysis of that?
In fact, I've had some really good seasons in Hawaii, good tubes and applications for the wave of the winter. I think what's missing is to focus a little more on what the championship is and not so much on looking for the dream wave, because I think I've been getting a little desperate waiting to catch that 10-point wave during the heat when I think it's better to go through several tubes and go through rounds because it gives you more options, and obviously the main objective is to win the championship.

It's the 10th anniversary of the Volcom Pipe Pro, and you can probably remember the first time you saw one and your best moments at the tournament. What memories come to mind?
I remember the first year I came to Hawaii. I came straight for this championship, for the Volcom Pipe Pro, and just one day before the event started, I remember that the first thing I saw was Gabriel (Villarán) and Cristóbal (De Col) competing. The former got a couple of pipe hits and the latter got a couple of hits.

I also remember, this was about eight or seven years ago, that they cancelled the championship because the sea was too big and I went into the water. I kicked a couple of times and was blown out of the water (laughs).

The first memory I have of the Volcom Pipe Pro, which was about seven or eight seasons ago, I remember that they cancelled the event because the sea was a bit rough, I went into the water, I took a couple of hits that took me out of the water and I was buzzing.

Below: That time when Tudela won the people's vote for the winter wave of 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ47sb1Ywb0