Tasos Polykarpou
/
Cyprus
FOLLOW ME
Date of birth:
1993.10.04
Hometown:
Santa Maria (Sal, Cabo Verde)
Sponsors:
North KB,
ION,
Hobbies:
Bike, skate, traveling, music
Favourite athletes:
Rob Machado, Julian Wilson, Airton Cozzolino, Valentino Rossi
BIO
Born October 4th, 1993 in the island of Sal, Cape Verde. I grew up with my father, a pioneer of capeverdian surfing. When I was 4 years old (before even learning to swim), I started bodyboarding the powerful shore-breaks in front of my village (Santa Maria), winning in the following years some junior competitions.
I learnt windsurfing when 10, getting supported for some years by the local legend Josh Angulo. I discovered kite when 14 and it was love on the first sight, which became a marriage when I started strapless riding. At the age of 17, I traveled the first time abroad, to Sardinia for a wave competition, together with my best mate Airton Cozzolino.
In spite of being the two youngest riders, we managed to reach the first two places. This was the occasion for me to discover a way larger and fascinating world than I could ever imagine from my small island. Since then I love traveling around the world, getting in touch with new people and cultures, exploring unknown places and waves. At the same time I feel now with a different consciousness an enormous affection for the little piece of land in the middle of the ocean where I was born.
Last four years have been really rich in human and professional satisfactions, like becoming an international team rider for NorthKiteboarding, taking part in amazing international events like KSP or PKRA or climbing up year by year in the wave world ranking. Currently I am placed 5th and of course it would be great to get on the top one day, but my main goal is just to cultivate my passion/profession, improving myself as an athlete and person.
My dream is to trace a path with my career and be an example for the younger surfers in Sal, showing them that with a strong dedication, our beautiful ocean can open huge opportunities for their lives, (like being able to go around the world, even with an African passport).
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
Keeping a high profile as an athlete: improve always, innovating the way to kitesurf waves and inventing new strapless tricks.
What would be your greatest achievement?
Becoming something like Rob Machado, a legend with a unique style.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
Being at the right time in the right place, since it is difficult to get perfect conditions depending on elements like waves and wind, which don’t necessarily work together. At the same time it is important just to be satisfied with what you find, as long as you can practice!
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
Being connected with the purest and most powerful energies of nature, it is soooooo great…. most of the time I forget it’s my work!
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
Mainly in the sea, whenever it is windy!
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
Focus completely on what I am training, without forgetting to have fun!
What are you most nervous about when competing?
Interviews and pictures before entering the water for a heat, exactly when I would just need to relax, concentrate and focus on the sea.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
My father, because he grew me up with surf, supported me always even in spite of people’s prejudice against surfers (you won’t believe, but this was very common: in a small fishermen island like Sal, people used to think surfers are kind of scoundrels, who get happy when the sea gets rough and can be easily identified by the contrast of blonde hairs on a black skin).
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
You can’t buy a piece of advice, you can just receive it in good faith, if you like it, you take it, otherwise you leave it!
What are your future plans?
Traveling to explore as much as possible this nice earth. At the same time, I would like to start building up my future.
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Live your passion, realize your dreams.
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