Road to Paris 2024
28 August 2024It’s always exciting to start new projects that align with my values and where I can contribute my experience. This time, I’ll be doing it alongside GEMSWELL, which aims to become the world’s largest builder of surf parks, with at least two confirmed projects (Madrid and Birmingham) and several other locations already well underway. It’s especially motivating to be part of this project at such an early stage — even though part of the team has been working on it since 2012 and we’re now entering the “most exciting” phase, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
This adventure began with a first surf trip to the Basque Country, at the home of Gemswell’s wave technology provider, Wavegarden. There, I shared a few waves with the first partners of Gemswell Surf Madrid, while also refining my surfing technique and testing my boards in the various types of waves the technology offers. It was also very interesting to meet the members of the project and learn more about its origins from those who have been dreaming about it since 2012 — a dream that will become a reality next year.
These conversations have made me reflect on how important dreamers are in this world. I’ve met truly inspiring people in this regard — most notably Fernando Aguerre, president of the International Surfing Association, who has spent his entire life fighting to make surfing an Olympic sport, a dream that became a reality at Tokyo 2020, and was reaffirmed in Paris 2024.
Coming back to Gemswell, I find it incredible that a motivated group of people can look at an empty plot of land next to Atlético de Madrid’s football stadium and envision a lagoon with waves, a beach, and beach bars all around, full of people enjoying the experience. It sounds surreal, doesn’t it? Congratulations on making it happen, and thank you for including me in this new adventure.
To close this reflection, I believe dreaming is deeply connected to passion — and passion, in turn, helps you see life differently, with more hope and happiness.
The next stop was in Madrid, at Gemswell’s headquarters, located inside the Atlético de Madrid football stadium. There, I had the chance to meet the rest of the team and gain deeper insight into the foundations of the project and its future direction.
We also visited the empty plot where construction has already begun on the lagoon, which will span the size of three football fields, making it the largest in the world to date.
A more technical — but equally fascinating — detail is the bathymetry, referring to the shape of the bottom where the swell breaks to create perfect waves. According to the team, it will be the most advanced design so far.
As you can see, we can expect great things from this lagoon.
After the visit to the construction site, we returned to the offices, where we sat down with Jaime Herraiz to discuss the different programs that Gemswell will offer — all designed to meet the needs of every type of audience. Yes, every audience — from the youngest participants to those over 70.
I’m truly excited to contribute my small part here and to draw inspiration from the cultures that inspire us most.
All in all, things are looking great! I’ll keep you posted.
This story is just beginning.