From the street…
Though both watermen grew up on opposite sides of the globe, the similarities between both Gollito’s youth, and that of Airton are obvious. While over 4500 kilometres of ocean separate Gollito’s hometown of El Yaque and Airton’s birth island of Cape Verde, they both share humble beginnings, both growing up in impoverished backstreets.
Just a stone’s throw away from the vibrant windsurf community of El Yaque, the young Jose Gollito Estredo shares a ragged shed with his mother, his grandma, a bunch of brothers and one sister. After becoming World Champion, Gollito will use his well-earned prize money to build a real house for his mother. But for now, eight-year-old Gollito just runs after his bigger brother, carrying his windsurf gear, hoping to get some time on the water for himself. Although Gollito enjoys every second he can to jump and trick around on the water, the thought of becoming a professional windsurfer didn’t even cross his mind.