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Daida and Iballa Moreno are some of the most incredible athletes windsurfing has ever seen and for over 20 years they have dominated women’s professional wave sailing, with 28 x PWA and 1 x APP SUP surf world titles to their name. From our April 2021 Issue, the talented twins give us an insight into their lives and winning ways.

Words – DAIDA MORENO, IBALLA MORENO.

Photos – John Carter/pwaworldtour.com, Belfi Aguia, Rodrigo Perez Cano, Borja Suarez, Two Goat Media/Mathias Moerman.

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THE BEST

Iballa: To be the best at anything takes a long time, but with determination, strength, motivation and lots of imagination you will eventually get there. In this life, to do what you love the most is very important. I’m lucky enough to say that I’m doing this.

Daida: For me it is really important to be the best, or try to be the best, always in everything I do, but there is always limits. If trying to be the best means depleting your health, then it’s not worth it.

EXCELLENCE

Iballa: Excellence is more than just being good and maintaining a certain level in sports, that’s close to excellence, but actual excellence is harder to attain, as you never stop learning in sport.

Daida: Excellence in something is almost impossible to achieve, but it’s always up there to keep you motivated and dreaming.

DEFINING MOMENT

Iballa: My defining moment was probably the day I decided to stop university and my parents supported that decision 100%. That helped me be the person I am now.

Daida: Obviously the moment I got diagnosed with cancer, the process of trying to stay strong and positive to beat the illness during many months changed the way I was. My career has been full of triumphs, but my biggest success has been wining the fight against cancer.

INSPIRATION

Iballa: My sister Daida is my inspiration; she’s a real example of overcoming adversity and an extremely strong person.

Daida: Many athletes have inspired me during my career – windsurfers, surfers … but I now try to see not what they have achieved, but the heart they put into it. Francisco Goya has been always an inspirational windsurfer, the way he worked for his world tittle and the way he worked to form his own brand.

I always try to be a better windsurfer watching the best guys sailing in waves, even people who are not competing. Like this I keep myself motivated all the time.

DECISIONS

Iballa: There is no bad decisions… you can adapt yourself to them and if you make a decision it’s always for a reason. Think about it well and it will always be a good decision.

Daida: The best decision was to pause my windsurfing career to become a mum. It was a long and hard road to get to the point I am at now, but Axel is a healthy boy, so it was all worth it. The worst decision was to be forced to cancel the event in Gran Canaria last year due to the uncertain situation around Covid-19. It was any easy decision to take, as we were sure we had to cancel to act responsibly, but it was the worst decision to be forced to take due to its consequences.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Iballa: I live by what our father taught us – strength, hope and imagination.

Daida: I try to live day by day and enjoy every day. Because I am a really active women, I like the saying, “Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today” as an inspirational quote.

LIFE BALANCE

Iballa: This past year has been crazy and hard to stay in balance with lots of changes in life for many people. Doing sport has helped me to stay away from bad things and stay in balance with my inner self.

Daida: Balance starts from discovering ourselves fully and being fulfilled in all areas of our life (personal, family, couple, social and professional). For me the most important thing is if you are fulfilled in everything in life, then you can be the richest person on earth.

MOTIVATION

Iballa: What motivates me are waves, new challenges and to just be in the water, as there is no better feeling in this world.

Daida: Windsurfing is a really magical sport, it makes new blood flow through your veins, and adrenaline takes over you … even not letting you sleep. What motivates me daily is learning new manoeuvres, both jumping and surfing. I am always looking for perfection, and even though I know this is quite impossible, it motivates me to always search for the best way to be a better person and a better windsurfer.

NERVES

Iballa: I have forgotten what competition nerves are like after this past year, but being surrounded by your friends and family and to enjoy doing what you love helps I think. What stresses me the most in competition is not being able to control the weather conditions. The wind can drop, and mean you can’t make it out through the surf in a heat, like happened to me last time I competed in Sylt, but what I have to do is breathe and think about the next heat.

Daida: I try to avoid everyone and be 100% with myself. This is quite difficult when you have to deal with people around you, so I try to be calm at least a few minutes before my heat and focus my energy into myself.

I actually don’t like the pressure of competition. I don’t think many people like to feel pressure all the time, especially since this is not good for your health in general. What I like is to try and enjoy in the best way I can the windsurfing conditions, the waves and the wind, and try to do all the moves I train for.

COMPETITION

Iballa: Travelling around the world for sure has been a highlight of competing over these last 23 years and something I have really enjoyed. During competition I enjoy being with my friends rather than rivals. Over the years we have seen lots of envy. Competitions are only a very small part of our lives. The competitor I admire the most is Daida, for the same reasons I already mentioned as why she is my inspiration.

Daida: The best feeling is when you have a good heat and pull off some sick moves during a competition. Of course being on the podium is always the goal. It’s hard to you’re your distance from rivals when one of the toughest rivals is your twin sister ha ha. My sister Iballa has always been my toughest rival; I respect her and enjoy competing against her, not with anybody else. Back in the day there was a much better vibe between the girls. When we all became older, I guess the new generation got tired and they formed their own bubble. I have had many unpleasant and disrespectful moments, because for them it is always good to beat us in one heat or be in front of us in the ranking. I guess it’s normal when you are on top for so many years. For me it is ok, because I learnt I only compete to justify my salary, not because I really enjoy competition. I love windsurfing, but not competing. The tour has become a bit monotonous, and I have the feeling I have already lived many moments before.. like a déjà vu.

STRENGTHS

Iballa: My strengths are perseverance and dedication.

Daida: I think my strength as an athlete is perseverance. Being constant in my training, putting all my efforts in to being a better sailor, this is what really keeps me always inspired.

As a person, my strengths are the commitment to be a better person every day. I always take at the end of the day a few minutes to analyse my day, I think this is important to do to be a better person. If there are things I regret, I try to do it better the next time. I guess life is all about experiences.

ESCAPE

Iballa: My escape from being a pro sailor is going sailing (yachts) or SUP surfing.

Daida: Windsurfing is so fun, I guess I never want to escape from it too much. It’s also a full commitment as a pro and you always have to justify yourself to your sponsors. I guess I only shut off when I am with my son Axel, taking care of him. And when he is asleep, I do stuff like answering interview questions!

WINNING OR MONEY

Iballa: Both. Without money you can’t compete.

Daida: Obviously money is a big motivation for competing and trying to win all the time. We all compete for money, that’s a fact.

POWER FOODS

Iballa: My power foods are a good breakfast, a good lunch and a good dinner! I love cooking at home and experimenting with food.

Daida: Gofio for breakfast, it’s a Canarian food (corn cob powder) and I like to have café con leche too.

NATURAL TALENT OR HARD WORK

Iballa: In windsurfing I’ve heard we are good because we live in Pozo, but I know we could have been professional athletes in wherever we were passionate about, even basketball or surfing and of course SUP surfing. I don’t like to say I’m a talented person, but whoever knows me can decide for themselves.

Daida: There is always an advantage with natural talent. I have seen many people with natural talent around me, but if I have to pick out something in myself that stands out, it would always be in my efforts and hard work.

TRAINING

Iballa: The number of hours I train a week is a professional secret! I can’t run because of problems with my knee I’ve been carrying for years, but cycling and the gym are an important part of my training.

Daida: I usually plan my week depending on many things, mainly how much free time I have after taking care of Axel, windguru (forecast) and working as a physiotherapist in my clinic. After this, I usually try to train at least 1 ½ or 2 hours a day (either windsurfing, surfing, biking or at least 30 minutes running). Maybe I take one day off a week from physical training to do other tasks.

ROCKY MOMENT

Iballa: My Rocky moment was in 2018, winning the PWA wave tour and SUP surfing tour titles, that was a dream come true!

Daida: I don’t think I have had any moments like this. Usually I have to be sailing really good, 100% me, if not then judges usually have me in second place!