Pukas Surfboards Founder Talks Future of European Surfing
FirstStoke.com recently had the chance to catch up with the Pukas Surfboards co-founder Miguel Azpiroz to get the low down on Pukas Surfboards, its top-notch team of surfers, and its plans for the future. Pukas team includes top pros Adriano de Souza, Aritz Aramburu, and Tiago Pires.
Pukas has its hands in a lot of businesses these days. What is Pukas primarily focused on right now?
Pukas has always been focused on designing and developing the best quality surfboards since the early seventies. That has been our main goal and it will always be. But surfing grew and so did we; the bikinis came along, the opening of new shops, developing clothing collections, distributing surfing hardware, the surf schools, and on top of it all, believing in our team of professional surfers that spread our name worldwide; Tiago Pires, Adriano de Souza, Tim Boal, Aritz Aranburu… it is all coming along and we are having the time of our lives.
How is the surf culture different in Spain than in the United States?
Surfing was eventually introduced to Europe in the early sixties. That makes a big difference. We are playing catch up! Nah! Not really, but it takes time to make your surfing be heard. In 2009 we might have 7 European surfers in the Top 45. There were none a few years ago!
Who are some of the up and coming Pukas surfers that you are excited about and what are they up to these days?
We are excited about all of them. They put our hearts in our throats every time they hit the water; Tim Boal recently made the cut for the 2009 ASP World Tour, Tiago Pires defeated Kelly during the Rip Curl Search held at Bali, Ibon Amatriain is known for both his paddle-in and tow-in skills on some of the biggest waves in the world, Imanol Yeregi is an up-and-coming 13 year old surfer from the Basque Country… they are almost 30 and they are all great!
What will it take to get more Spanish surfers on the ASP World Tour?
Time. Aritz Aranburu has been first. The rest will follow; Jonathan Gonzalez has always surfed as good as some of the top seeds but he has yet to make the cut.
Which of the current Pukas riders will be the next to win the ASP World Title?
Hmmmmm, that’s a difficult one. Sunny Garcia won the title in 2000 riding our boards. Adriano de Souza has made it through the semis a couple times. Tiago Pires could easily claim a contest. Aritz will go nuts at Pipe. Tim Boal could impress the world at Snapper next season… anything could happen, and we will be there to watch it.
How has the surf culture changed in Zarautz since you first started Pukas?
It has gone from underground to mainstream. Kids would rather surf than play soccer or win the Tour de France! Surfing is just so… natural. Plus, Zarautz is easy to walk to, the beach is close for everybody, it’s just easy to go out there and have a surf. Plus, having Aritz on the ASP World Tour made a huge impact on society; TVs and newspapers were full on.
Do you have any plans to expand Pukas beyond Europe and into other core markets?
Not yet. We still need to improve in Europe, position ourselves stronger and make sure we keep on developing the best products and services. Then, time will tell…
Where do you see Pukas in five years?
Having a huge party celebrating that one of our team riders is the World Champ!! And you are invited!!
