“What I Love About the Sea is That It Doesn’t Discriminate. In the Water, We Are All Equal.”
Pantin, Valdoviño, August 24th – For Sarah Almagro Vallejo (Marbella, Málaga, 2000), life took a dramatic turn at 18 when she was struck by meningococcal meningitis, which led to multiple organ failure, cardiac arrests, and sepsis. To survive, she lost all four of her limbs. However, she never lost her passion for surfing, and she says the sea is her best medicine and therapy.
Since 2021, Sarah has been participating in the adaptive surfing events at the Abanca Pantín Classic Surf Pro, which this year, for the first time, has become part of the international Para Surf League (PSL) circuit, the equivalent of the World Surf League (WSL).
“This beach will always be the most impressive for me and one of my best memories. This was where I had my first championship, and I always love coming back,” confesses Sarah, who takes each competition very seriously, along with the physical preparation (an hour and a half daily) that the sport requires, which she balances with her law studies.
This year, she faces her fourth championship on the Galician beach with a growing list of achievements: three-time Spanish champion, European champion, and world champion in the Prone 2 category, as well as silver and bronze medals at the 2021 and 2022 World Championships, respectively.
“The waves don’t adapt. The sea doesn’t discriminate; it treats everyone equally, which doesn’t happen on land. The sea has taught me patience and humility, but for it to teach you, you have to be willing to learn,” emphasizes Almagro, one of the most recognized voices in adaptive surfing who advocates for its inclusion as a Paralympic sport.
At 24, Sarah has surfed in the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Cantabrian, and her native Mediterranean but dreams of also surfing on the coast of Australia or, of course, in Hawaii. “I started bodyboarding at five years old, and when I was 11, I saw some kids surfing on the beach and told my mother, ‘I want to do that too.’ My younger brother is my coach, and Javi and Alex are the guys who go into the water with me and keep me calm.” She adds with a smile, “Another great memory was right here at A Frouxeira (Valdoviño). I broke my own record with a 2.5-meter wave. I wouldn’t have dared to take that wave when I had hands and feet.”
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25: PARA SURF LEAGUE FINALS
This year, 40 surfers with disabilities are registered in the event: 15 women and 25 men, coming from Brazil, Morocco, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, Portugal, and Spain. Nearly 20,000 euros in prizes are at stake, one of the highest amounts on the circuit, helping them cover travel and equipment expenses. Among the participants are Dana Cummings, the American pioneer of this sport, French surfer Lou Meniche, and Coruña’s own Dani Souto.
The PSL final heats will be held this Sunday, August 25th, with the award ceremony scheduled for 4:00 PM, featuring good wave conditions and live music by Señora DJ as part of the Pantin Sound lineup. The event also includes an official store, a leisure and dining area, and many activities for children (ages 4 to 16) within the “Espazo Corresponsables” by the Xunta de Galicia’s Directorate General for Equality Promotion.