OPPORTUNITIES
Iballa: So where do you see yourself in the future Daida?
Daida: I am going to open my own physiotherapy centre in Pozo. I will be also sailing as much as I can in my home spot. I can never give up windsurfing. Other women retire and forget about windsurfing but if I retire in a few years from now I will never leave windsurfing aside. It is part of my blood and integral to my life. It is going to continue that way. As long as we continue organizing the Pozo event then we will compete in our event at our home spot. Our windsurfing depends on sponsors. If we continue getting support from inside and outside of the industry then we can stay in the game and do the tour. If we don’t get the support then we will have to stop and move forward. After so many years obviously you can tire of this life. Following my illness I didn’t know if it was healthy to be competing all the time. Cancer is a strong word and a big thing that happened to me and it has not been easy. I don’t want this to happen again. I need to keep calm and try not to stress. Stress is the worst thing you can put in your body. Windsurfing helps me to take the stress away but competition is part of this and it is hard mentally.
Daida: How about you Iballa?
Iballa: In the last few years I have been more motivated than ever, training a lot and having a lot of fun doing the SUP and windsurfing competitions. For the near future I am just thinking about continuing with this lifestyle. This is what I love and I hope to do it for a while longer. Daida is nearly 40 and I am nearly 30 (laughs) so let’s see how long it will last.
Daida: We are both 39! (Laughs)
Iballa: I am not even thinking about age or anything. I think about motivation and what drives me. I think this life is what I love. I want to travel, search for good waves and have fun while I can. Competition is only a few weeks a year but the rest of the time we can train and do what we want. Ten years down the line I will continue searching for waves that is for sure. Either with or without wind. We have some rentals and I have a little marketing business making promotional material like T-shirts and Lycra’s. I have some clients and it’s a small business I can run from home.
Apart from the windsurfing I have a little income there! Basically with the rentals and this I can continue with my dream life. The most important thing is the motivation and that is what I have. I am very motivated and I am happy enjoying this lifestyle. Life is too short and I am happy to be living this way.