Juan de los Reyes Barrios, a prominent paddle surfer, introduces himself to the SPS community and shares his story:
My name is Juan de los Reyes Barrios and I am 23 years old. I was born and raised in Cádiz, specifically in Barbate, a privileged spot for surf enthusiasts in Andalusia. Since I can remember, I’ve been riding a surfboard. I recall how, since I was little, my brother and I would venture into the water with our shortboards, trying to master the waves.
As time passed, my passion for surfing grew, and I began competing in local events with conventional surfboards. However, everything changed when the folks at Ozu Tarifa, a local surf shop, offered me the opportunity to try paddle surfing. It was a game-changer for me. The idea of facing the sea with a larger board and a paddle instantly captivated me.
In my first year competing in paddle surfing in Tarifa, I managed to secure third place in a local championship. That experience encouraged me to delve deeper into this sport, and I quickly became hooked. I vividly remember my participation in the Eurosup de Somos, where, in my first championship, I managed to rank first among juniors and reach the semifinals in the open category. That’s when I realized I was on the right path and that paddle surfing would be my passion.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to compete in international events, such as the world championship in China in 2018, where I achieved a notable fourth place. Additionally, I’ve been the Spanish champion on several occasions and have won the title of Andalusian champion multiple times. These achievements have allowed me to rub shoulders with the best in the APP World Tour circuit and consistently remain among the top ten competitors.
Outside of the water, I also have a passion for diving, which leads me to work in the almadraba of Zahara de Las Tunas for six months of the year. The rest of the time, I dedicate myself to traveling, competing, and training to stay at the top of my game.
As for the paddles, as soon as I tried those from SPS, I was impressed. Their narrow and lightweight design allowed me to make faster and smoother turns in the water, significantly improving my performance. The sensation of paddling with an SPS paddle is incomparable; it’s as if I’m holding nothing in my hands, giving me a feeling of freedom and agility as I ride the waves.
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