Espero que os guste la entrevista que me han hecho en la pagina de Rip Curl
Pablo “El Matador” Gutierrez Age: 28
Hometown: Somo, Cantabria
Competitive highlights: Two-time European Junior Champion (2000, 2001), European Open Champion (2001), First Spanish surfer to compete in Pipeline Masters.
Leo Maxam: Well you just drove with me on the back of a motorbike with our two boards and my laptop on board. You seem to be adjusting quickly to things here in Bali.
Pablo Gutierrez: Yeah, I have to start to live Bali style. I'm not used to driving a motorbike. I'm just starting to understand the waves here and the tides and the winds. All the time I'm asking people where it's going to be good. Just asking a lot of questions and trying to get to know the spots.
And the Uluwatu locals have already given you a nickname?
When you surf Uluwatu you have to pass in front of all the warungs. All the local guys there have started to call me “Pablo Kelly.” I told them, “Yeah it would be nice if I was Kelly.” The only reason I think they call me that is because of my shaved head. People tell me I look like Jake Patterson more often. But I'm not either of those guys. I'm “El Matador.”
So how did you get the nickname “El Matador”?
The French press gave me that name because after the final of the 2001 European Championships. I was in the final with three French surfers in Hossegor. I scored two nines and killed them. In the headline of the newspaper the next day it said “The Matador finishes French surfers.” So ever since then the name has stuck.
Where have you surfed in Bali so far?
The last five days I've just surfed all the sections of Uluwatu and yesterday a nice, small day at Bingin. Hopefully during the waiting period this month I'll get to surf a lot more waves, and of course Padang Padang the day of the contest. I would also like to surf Keramas good. Hopefully tomorrow morning we'll get it.
We're hanging out, drinking Bintangs in front of the infinity pool watching the full moon. Life's pretty rough at the Rip Curl house at Uluwatu, huh?
It's an amazing house. It's fun to be here with the team. I was surprised when I got here. I never thought we were gonna stay somewhere this nice. I don't like to spend too much time away from my wife and newborn child so it's good to be somewhere comfortable. It's going to be a really good month.
So you're a new father?
I'm really happy. My son Mario was just born in May. As soon as the contest finishes I plan to fly back home to be with my wife and baby. But for now I want to surf my best in the contest and get as many good shots and footage as possible for Rip Curl and my other sponsors.
When most surfers hear about Spain it's usually just Mundaka and the Basque Coast. You're from nearby Cantabria. How is where you are from different from Basque Country?
Cantabria is a beautiful place with really good waves, good food. You have the mountains for snow, beachbreaks, reefbreaks. For me, it's better than the Basque Country. It's less crowded and less expensive to live. There are more spots too. The one thing we don't have is the best wave in Europe, Mundaka.
You've never surfed Padang before? How do prepare for a contest at a wave you've never surfed before?
Seriously, I thought Padang broke more often. When I got here I find out it only breaks on a really big swell. So I think my first time surfing there is going to be in my heat. That's how Bruno (Santos) surfed it his first time, in the WCT comp there. I've been watching a lot of movies of it and studying the wave. I think it's an easy takeoff, sometimes a little barrel on takeoff, but you have to be prepared for that second section. That's where you get the huge barrels and the big scores.
You drew Heat 5 at the opening ceremony on Saturday. That puts you up against some stiff competition, including Bruce Irons, and local legends Made Lana and Mega.
It's going to be an amazing heat. I just want to enjoy it and remember it always. Just try to do my best. If I make it, the next heat is going to be just as perfect. Just take it heat by heat and enjoy the moment. To surf it with three other guys out is going to be an amazing moment. Hopefully we get some amazing waves and put on an incredible show for everyone on the beach and following around the world.
