TEAM: NEW TEAM RIDER !!!

The family of GONG team riders is expanding! We are pleased to welcome Evelin Neves. Her discipline is longboarding, which she practices in southeastern Brazil. United by the same passion, we are excited to share it to you together with Evelin. Let’s start with the presentations.

Hello Evelin, welcome to the team!

Hello, thanks so much! Looking forward to what’s ahead 🙂

Let’s start with the beginning, how did you get into surfing?

I used to be into swimming. When I was 14 I decided to quit. At this moment a friend suggested that I should try surfing. At first I thought it would not be possible as we lived an hour from the beach. My father accepted to drive me though as he saw it was something I really wanted to do. I always loved everything that involved the sea. I have never stopped surfing after my first class!

Why did you choose longboards over other disciplines?

At first I wanted a small board, I spent a few years insisting on just reducing the board.  After a few years we had a summer without waves and I tried a longboard  for the first time. It was a giant board and I caught more waves in one session than I did in my whole life on a short board lol. I felt so happy, I didn’t want to surf with another board anymore… I went surfing every day with that old and giant board. Every day that passed I became happier… Since then I never stopped anymore. I met the guys who enjoy the ‘log‘, I started to know the history by reading books and watching movies and I really fell in love with the sport. This love grew day by day, more and more. I found me. The challenges were arising but everything was flowing and happening.

Are you into competitions?

Yes, I really like to compete because it’s a path to evolution. But I feel more as a freesurfer than a competitor because surfing for me is much more than a competition. In the end I don’t want to be better than anyone, just better than who I’m today.

Well, how would you describe your path to evolution in your surfing? Is there a new maneuver on your to-do-list for instance?

I don’t have anything on my list because today I think I need to be constant, surfing at a high level in any condition. This is on my list every day and that’s what I try to do.

Can you describe your home spot?

I live on a beach where longboarding dominates because the waves are very good for that. It is a very special place because we have a break with a good orientation that catches a lot of swell directions, making us have good conditions for all types of boards. If you travel you can find better conditions but here it’s always great!

What do you look for in a longboard?

The ideal board is the board that has to give me stability. The saying here is: “heavy surfboard, light surf and light surfboard, heavy surf”. The best board is the biggest one lol. I just love longboarsd because I have more fun and I love seeing myself on top of one. I think it’s beautiful and stylish. That being said I love surfing so much that I can surf with any board that you give me. I will be on the GONG team surfing with a longboard almost always but you will see me with a 5’6 and 7’6 fish too!

How did you like your new custom board shaped by L’Ours?

My first impression is that it’s a super stable board, which is very important for me. It’s also a very fast board! The complete material is just impeccable. Looking forward to spend more time on it.

Is there any other watersport you do?

I don’t  practice another water sport. I would love to try kitesurfing and wingfoil one day with the GONG team.

One last word?

One word that I can say is, play a sport! Be happy whatever your kind of surfing or sport is.