Q & A with Peru's Sofia Mulanovich

You started surfing at age 13, and this past year we saw semi-finals and finals on the ASP tour with the surfers all age 21 and under. What are some of the advantages and challenges of being one of the “older” surfers on tour?

Yeah all the new girls are amazing surfers and they’re pushing all of us so much to become better surfers. I think that the disadvantages of being an older surfer on tour is that you probably don’t have the same amount of energy as the younger ones, but the advantage is that you have way more experience and you surf smarter heats sometimes.

We don’t see many professional surfers coming from Peru. What are the waves like in your country and what motivated you to turn pro?

Waves in Peru are amazing but it gets cold and the waves in winter are not that good so you need to travel. I have always loved the ocean and all my family surfs so just wanted to be in the water with them and it took off from there.

What should a traveler visit when they go to Peru?

Machu Pichu

Once you won your first world title, and had that accomplishment attached to your name, surfer must trip when they are selected in a heat with Sofia. Are there any surfers in particular that you see as a major contender in a heat?

All the girls are surfing amazing right now, you have to surf your best every heat if you want to make it.

The touring life is pretty hectic- how do you keep your life in balance?

Well I try to keep it in balance but sometimes when you spend days traveling it is super tiring and you don’t feel as balanced as you want.

What’s the craziest thing that has happened to you in a foreign country?

Just getting lost driving and being scared for a few minutes

Was it difficult for you to adapt to the media attention as a professional athlete?

No, I like the chance to have a voice and giving my points of view and portraying positive messages to people.

What is your favorite wave to surf?

Lobitos at home

If you could add a stop to the World Tour, what would it be? Tavarua, Fiji

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Afternoon, haha

Do you have any good luck charms that you keep with you? No

What do you do on your down time on tour?

Just hang with my friends and watch TV shows

What’s the greatest thing you’ve ever done with your hard-earned prize money?

I once split my first place prize with the girl who got second cause she needed the money to travel to Australia.