In Spain, we see adapted surf is slowly becoming relevant thanks to the efforts of Alvin Bayona, an elite surfer who suffers with a spinal injury and organiser of the second edition of the Abanca Pantin Classic. In this edition Alvin has established the sport on a national and international level, also with the participation of international surfers such as Eva Aguirre, Marcos Tapia, Hugo Magruda, Marta Paço, Tomás Freitas, Lucas Borges, Nuno Vitorino, Álvaro Menéndez, Pierre-François Pochat, Maxime Cabanne, Mario Rivoiro, Ander Goenaga, and Jeff Munson, among others.
After the competition, and to make reference to a strong wave during the event, a triumphant Sarah said: ‘That wave marked a turning point, it made me realise all obstacles must be faced no matter how big they appear. Hearing how the commentator spoke about the wave I took gave me an energy shot and to later see the face and feel the hug of ‘MI PESCAO’ made me want more’.
This has been the first step toward her ‘star goal’ for Sarah Almagro in Paris 2024 Paralympics. From this, the ‘Pescaíto Team’ was formed made up of Miguel Sampalo-Bishop, principal trainer, and Alberto De Mario, second trainer with technical support who complete the team striving to reach that great day, and of course her debut in Galicia couldn’t have been better.
When Miguel is asked what he saw in Sarah, what made him decide to train her for the competition, he replies that it’s very clear to him: ‘High motivation, commitment, positivity, optimism, and perfection. A high capacity of focus and concentration. Mental strength, sporting intelligence and strategy.’
Alberto, the last trainer to join the team said: ‘I couldn’t believe it, I knew about Sarah through Miguel and social media. I knew it could be a great opportunity so I didn’t think twice in joining. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. To be part of her sporting career, long may it last.’
