I didn’t know it until I met the pioneers of this discipline in Spain – Mr & Mrs Cat.
For me it was shocking. A discipline of great beauty and that required a very refined connection between the couple and this one with the sea.
I immediately wanted to know more about their story and share it.
Here the result of the interview with this amazing couple.
Read, enjoy and follow them in their brilliant career!
Mr & Mrs Cat Tandem Surging
Who are Mr. & Mrs. Cat?
We are Ángeles Alonso y Fernando Pérez , residents in Gijón
After the start as a TV quiz, haha… let’s get down to business!
What is Tandem Surfing, when and how did it come into your lives?
Tamdem Surf is one of the oldest modalities of surfing.
It was born in Hawaii in the 1920s when the legendary Waikiki Beach Boys took tourists on their boards to share the spirit of Surfing.
It is about two surfers (usually a man and a woman) on the same board, performing stunts and lifts while riding the wave.
It came into our lives a bit by chance. Fernando has been surfing and enjoying the sea all his life. A little over two years ago we saw a video of a Hawaiian couple doing Tandem and we thought… shall we try it?. The experience of that first bath was super fun and special… and until today.
What has “hooked” you on Tandem Surfing?
We always say that it is one of the most beautiful ways to enjoy the sea in company.
In general, it is very difficult to explain to someone what it feels like to surf a wave (the adrenaline, the connection with the sea, the feeling of the wind on your face…). Even when it is two people surfing, they are never going to surf the same wave in the same way and with the same sensations.
And that is Tandem Surf, the maximum complicity and connection with your partner to make you an accomplice of the sea.
On the other hand, we believe that the artistic element and aesthetics of this discipline is another of the things that “hooks”.
Mr & Ms Cat trainning
Has your life changed on a personal level since you practiced Tandem Surfing?
I mean if this practice has led you to be more aware of your own energy and that of others, of feeling, flowing, accepting, etc. not only on the surf table but also in daily life.
Of course, if you pay attention and will, any experience is a learning base that makes you evolve.
Although it may seem unbelievable, it has given us things and has taught us even in our relationship as a couple.
When you are in the water you are out of your natural environment, where everything happens super fast and where you are the weakest opponent. If there is no coordination and trust between us…everything goes wrong. That has taught us to have more empathy since we have to manage many things together, fears, training rhythms.
On the other hand, when there is that harmony and everything flows, the art of dancing with the waves arises.
That is an enormous achievement, and more so being pioneers in Spain. Congratulations!
Mr & Ms Cat 4 position in ITSA Goanna Pro 2022- European Championship ITSA- Photo by Alejandra Cifuentes
What has the road been like to reach that achievement? What has been your evolution until you got there?
Thank you very much, it has been a great experience for us.
We started doing Tandem for pure fun and with the aim of making visible this discipline that is so old and at the same time so unknown.
Little by little we got “bitten” because we are both very competitive and each time we wanted to learn a little more. It was not easy because in Spain no one else practices it so we looked outside for references: France, Hawaii, California or Brazil. The Tandem Surf community is super close and we immediately met other teams that have been teaching and accompanying us on this trip.
Has this award changed anything in terms of support and/or your vision of the future?
Above all, it has made this sport visible in Spain.
The truth is that from the beginning we have been very lucky and have received the support of local companies from the world of surfing such as Neopreneclean, Skoolsurf, Macho Fins, Exit or Jon Pirata. In addition, we have always been able to count on the Asturian Surf Federation. We have recently obtained the sponsorship of REEF, which is one of the reference companies for Surfing at an international level, we are very excited because it is an opportunity to socialize Tandem Surf and try to make more people aware of this cool way of enjoying the sea.
What is your vision or personal goal for the future within tandem surfing?
Enjoy and be able to share it.
In the end, the championships or the achievements are very good but what remains are the experiences and the good times.
If we had to keep something from our time in the European Championship, it would be the opportunity we had to meet other teams, share waves and enjoy the sea. Each trip in a van, each new beach, each bath…we really are enjoyers!
In addition to Hawaii, in what other places does this type of surf have a prominent presence?
Hawaii is the paradise of Tandem without a doubt, hehe!, but it has also been practiced for years in California or Australia. And closer, in Europe, is France where they have organized Tandem championships for more than 15 years and where we can find several couples with national and even world titles.
What are the goals of Tandem Surfing where all fans and professionals of this sport look?
As for the goals, the biggest official Tandem event is the World Championship organized by ITSA (International Tandem Surf Association) in Hawaii. It would be amazing to be able to live that experience.
But, to dream, it would be great if the Tandem discipline was incorporated into the WSL or why not in future Olympic Games.
Is there a Tandem Surf school in Spain or is it a modality that some people practice on their own?
There is no school that we know of.
A year ago we formed a club with the vision of the future of being able to offer training and organize events together with schools to teach this discipline.
We are gradually maturing the idea.
Where would you recommend looking for information and training for anyone interested in practicing this discipline?
El 21 de junio de 2015 Julia, Nuria, Julio y Ron son despedidos por un grupo de amigos en la playa de Barra (Ría de Vigo). Durante los próximos dos años los cuatro serán la tripulación del velero Alba Plena, que será su hogar, en una experiencia que los cambiará para siempre. Julio y Nuria …
El 21 de junio de 2015 Julia, Nuria, Julio y Ron son despedidos por un grupo de amigos en la playa de Barra (Ría de Vigo). Durante los próximos dos años los cuatro serán la tripulación del velero Alba Plena, que será su hogar, en una experiencia que los cambiará para siempre. Julio y Nuria …
Todos hemos visto alguna de las consideradas películas épicas rodadas en el mar. La oscarizada La Vida de Pi (Ang Lee, 2012), Cuando todo está perdido, (J.C. Chandor, 2013), el último reto de Robert Redford; la aventura marina de Abysss (James Cameron, 1989) o una revisión del capitán Ahab en La Tormenta perfecta (Wolfgang …
Estíbaliz López-Samaniego es la directora de proyectos de Vertidos Cero, asociación que cumple 10 años en enero de 2019. Pionera en advertir del peligro de la basura marina en España, esta investigadora se muestra satisfecha porque, al fin, el trabajo de científicos, investigadores y asociaciones haya contribuido al actual cambio de mentalidad, donde la población …
Tandem Surfing Pioneers in Spain: Mr & Mrs Cat
Do you know what Tandem Surfing is?
I didn’t know it until I met the pioneers of this discipline in Spain – Mr & Mrs Cat.
For me it was shocking. A discipline of great beauty and that required a very refined connection between the couple and this one with the sea.
I immediately wanted to know more about their story and share it.
Here the result of the interview with this amazing couple.
Read, enjoy and follow them in their brilliant career!
Who are Mr. & Mrs. Cat?
We are Ángeles Alonso y Fernando Pérez , residents in Gijón
After the start as a TV quiz, haha… let’s get down to business!
What is Tandem Surfing, when and how did it come into your lives?
Tamdem Surf is one of the oldest modalities of surfing.
It was born in Hawaii in the 1920s when the legendary Waikiki Beach Boys took tourists on their boards to share the spirit of Surfing.
It is about two surfers (usually a man and a woman) on the same board, performing stunts and lifts while riding the wave.
It came into our lives a bit by chance. Fernando has been surfing and enjoying the sea all his life. A little over two years ago we saw a video of a Hawaiian couple doing Tandem and we thought… shall we try it?. The experience of that first bath was super fun and special… and until today.
What has “hooked” you on Tandem Surfing?
We always say that it is one of the most beautiful ways to enjoy the sea in company.
In general, it is very difficult to explain to someone what it feels like to surf a wave (the adrenaline, the connection with the sea, the feeling of the wind on your face…). Even when it is two people surfing, they are never going to surf the same wave in the same way and with the same sensations.
And that is Tandem Surf, the maximum complicity and connection with your partner to make you an accomplice of the sea.
On the other hand, we believe that the artistic element and aesthetics of this discipline is another of the things that “hooks”.
Has your life changed on a personal level since you practiced Tandem Surfing?
I mean if this practice has led you to be more aware of your own energy and that of others, of feeling, flowing, accepting, etc. not only on the surf table but also in daily life.
Of course, if you pay attention and will, any experience is a learning base that makes you evolve.
Although it may seem unbelievable, it has given us things and has taught us even in our relationship as a couple.
When you are in the water you are out of your natural environment, where everything happens super fast and where you are the weakest opponent. If there is no coordination and trust between us…everything goes wrong. That has taught us to have more empathy since we have to manage many things together, fears, training rhythms.
On the other hand, when there is that harmony and everything flows, the art of dancing with the waves arises.
On your Instagram we can see that you have finished third in the European Championship of the International Tandem Surf Association.
That is an enormous achievement, and more so being pioneers in Spain. Congratulations!
What has the road been like to reach that achievement? What has been your evolution until you got there?
Thank you very much, it has been a great experience for us.
We started doing Tandem for pure fun and with the aim of making visible this discipline that is so old and at the same time so unknown.
Little by little we got “bitten” because we are both very competitive and each time we wanted to learn a little more. It was not easy because in Spain no one else practices it so we looked outside for references: France, Hawaii, California or Brazil. The Tandem Surf community is super close and we immediately met other teams that have been teaching and accompanying us on this trip.
We still have a lot to learn but we continue with the same desire. Next April 6th we will compete again in the ITSA European Championship , in Tapia de Casariego , and we hope to do our best.
Has this award changed anything in terms of support and/or your vision of the future?
Above all, it has made this sport visible in Spain.
The truth is that from the beginning we have been very lucky and have received the support of local companies from the world of surfing such as Neopreneclean, Skoolsurf, Macho Fins, Exit or Jon Pirata. In addition, we have always been able to count on the Asturian Surf Federation. We have recently obtained the sponsorship of REEF, which is one of the reference companies for Surfing at an international level, we are very excited because it is an opportunity to socialize Tandem Surf and try to make more people aware of this cool way of enjoying the sea.
What is your vision or personal goal for the future within tandem surfing?
Enjoy and be able to share it.
In the end, the championships or the achievements are very good but what remains are the experiences and the good times.
If we had to keep something from our time in the European Championship, it would be the opportunity we had to meet other teams, share waves and enjoy the sea. Each trip in a van, each new beach, each bath…we really are enjoyers!
In addition to Hawaii, in what other places does this type of surf have a prominent presence?
Hawaii is the paradise of Tandem without a doubt, hehe!, but it has also been practiced for years in California or Australia. And closer, in Europe, is France where they have organized Tandem championships for more than 15 years and where we can find several couples with national and even world titles.
What are the goals of Tandem Surfing where all fans and professionals of this sport look?
As for the goals, the biggest official Tandem event is the World Championship organized by ITSA (International Tandem Surf Association) in Hawaii. It would be amazing to be able to live that experience.
But, to dream, it would be great if the Tandem discipline was incorporated into the WSL or why not in future Olympic Games.
Is there a Tandem Surf school in Spain or is it a modality that some people practice on their own?
There is no school that we know of.
A year ago we formed a club with the vision of the future of being able to offer training and organize events together with schools to teach this discipline.
We are gradually maturing the idea.
Where would you recommend looking for information and training for anyone interested in practicing this discipline?
On the ITSA (International Tandem Surf Association) page.
Hopefully little by little there will be more information because that would mean that part of the history of classic surfing is rescued.
For our part, we are delighted to be able to advise any couple interested in practicing this discipline.
Mr & Mrs Cat Tandem Surfing in Asturias
Thank you very much Mr & Mrs Cat!
Thank you so much. Aloha 🌺
You are pioneers of Tandem Surf in Spain with a brilliant career. Congratulations!
Interview by Ángela Lago Founder of Just the Sea by SEA LOVERS and Sea Jewelry
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