The surfer from Lanzarote, Dylan Donegan Dos Santos, is still overwhelmed after being crowned world surfing champion in the Under 16 category in the sporting event held in El Salvador. The young surfer has not been able to contain his emotion when remembering one of the best experiences that this sport has given him. "I'm still speechless, it's the biggest achievement I've achieved so far," he revealed in an interview with La Voz.
Since landing in Lanzarote, he still hasn't been able to shake off that feeling of pride. For him, it has been a very special competition, the one that has led him to achieve his great goal. "I don't have words to describe having achieved my dream," he revealed.
Donegan has also expressed his happiness after the reception upon his arrival at César Manrique Airport, a meeting with his family and friends that was "very emotional and made him very happy". The young champion has already returned to his daily routine training and attending the institute.
At 16 years old, this strict routine, which he must combine with his studies, is a daily challenge for the surfer. Training and education are two key points for the young man in his day-to-day life. After a "complicated year" in which he has managed to combine it with satisfactory results... "It becomes difficult, everything comes at you, but you have to try to make time and take advantage," he added with the positivity that characterizes him.
He lives for and to be in the water. The training routine that he has to complete every day is a sacrifice. "I spend between four and six hours in the water," he confessed. In addition, he doesn't rest on weekends either, when he continues surfing with his trainer, José María Cabrera. A sporting day that he completes with physical preparation. "I have to dedicate an hour to physical training," he revealed.
Surfing has marked his childhood and adolescence. He remembers being in the water since he can remember, which has marked a lifestyle for him. "Surfing is the thing I like to do the most, I've been surfing since I have memories," he pointed out. The passion for water sports comes from his family. "I saw my father surfing in the water and I asked him to teach me," he pointed out. From that moment, he began to be interested in the sport and decided to sign up for professional surf training, which he is still doing.
The young man has recognized that surfing provides him with a "unique sensation", with which he manages to "enjoy and feel more free". What drives him to continue dedicating himself to the sport is the energy and emotions he receives every time he gets on his board. "Being surrounded by the sea makes me feel free and experience unique sensations," he stated.
"I feel very fortunate to live in Lanzarote, it has perfect waves and climate to train"
Donegan has made it clear how "fortunate" he feels to live in Lanzarote, an island that gives him accessibility to dedicate himself to surfing. "The waves and the climate it has are perfect for training," he assured.
Friend of his rivals
After participating in the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, which has made him a champion, he has not lost his humility. This is demonstrated through his words and the treatment he maintains with his rivals. The English surfer Lukas Skinner was his main opponent in the final of the championship, with whom he has a remarkable friendship. "Sharing a final with him has been a beautiful experience," he revealed.
The world championships he attends are not only a professional springboard, but also an ideal way to meet people. "The good thing is that we all go as a team and meet incredible people," he confessed. He has recognized that focusing the championships only on competing can lead him not to fully enjoy the experience. "It's a mistake to go only thinking about competing." Although he wanted to be sincere and show that he also has a competitive side. "When they sound the horn and the heat starts, there are not many friendships, but outside we are very friends," he specified.
The secret of his success has been the "connection" he had with the beach where the championship was held and his attitude to face the world championship, he specified. "I think what helped me win was feeling connected to the waves and the place, and trying not to think that I was in a world championship," he pointed out.
"It's a mistake to go only thinking about competing"
The seven heats that he managed to win during the championship were decisive for the final push with which he became the winner. "I tried to stay in the heats so as not to go to repechage, and to be able to give everything in the final," he revealed. The key to becoming a winner was to "fully trust" in his training and "believe in his triumph" as he managed to overcome the heats.
He remembers that in the world championship held in Brazil last year he did not obtain the result he expected, although now life has rewarded him for his effort. "I'm super happy to have made history, and to get the gold," he highlighted. An achievement that will help him make a name for himself in the world of surfing. "It opens the doors for me to qualify for the junior world championship next year, in addition, it helps people to know me around the world," he highlighted.
Such is his determination with this sport, that the surfer returns to compete almost without rest. This Wednesday he travels to Morocco to get back on the board in the European Junior Circuit Championship, in which he could once again lead the podium.
