Guilherme Montenegro started to gain attention many years ago. Not only for those who had the opportunity to observe the kid in his local beach and in the rest of Brazil, but also through social networks whose reach, as we know, is on a global scale. With his entry into the Pride Bodyboards team in May, with which he signed for the next three years, the paradigm changed for the young South American diamond. Let’s see what he had to say.
First of all, please make a personal introduction…
Gui: Hey guys! My name is Guilherme Montenegro, I’m 15 years old, I was born in Espírito Santo, in Vila Velha, Brazil. I started bodyboarding when I was 6 years old, in the middle coral, which is where I usually surf to this day.
How did you get introduced to bodyboarding?
Gui: I started bodyboarding through my older brother, who received a board for his birthday. I started using it on the beach, together with my father who ended up always getting in the water with me to help me catch waves.
“(…) being world runner-up in just my second year of world competitions was one of my greatest achievements”
In the beginning, who were your biggest influences?
Gui: The person who most influenced me to surf and always supported me was my father. He is the one who accompanies me to this day on every trip I take to competitions. He has been with me at all moments since the beginning.
What was it like being invited to be part of the Pride Bodyboards team?
Gui: Being invited to be part of the team of one of the best bodyboard brands in the world was one of the most important and happiest moments since I practiced this sport. I know that with this sponsorship I will improve a lot.
“(…) achieving a good result in the next stages and becoming world champion this season is one of my goals”
What kind of benefits do you hope to derive from this partnership?
Gui: I hope this is a partnership that lasts for many years, so that I can increasingly take the brand’s name to the championships and do my best in the sport.
How would you define your bodyboarding?
Gui: I’ll say I’m a good bodyboarder, but I know I still have many, many things to improve.
Where have you been most focused on evolving?
Gui: Whenever I train I have in mind correcting my mistakes and doing good competitions.
“The person who most influenced me to surf and always supported me was my father”
Last year on the world tour you ended up making an appearance in two finals and in the end you finished runner-up in the Pro Junior world champion. Was that one of the greatest achievements of your still short career?
Gui: Yes! Without a doubt, this was one of my greatest achievements ever, as I ended up becoming world runner-up in just my second year of world competitions.
This season you placed 5th on the tour, but there are still a few stages to go. What is the real goal for this year?
Gui: My goal for this year, most certainly, is to try to improve. Maybe achieve a good result in the next events and become world champion this season.
“(…) I know I still have many, many things to improve”
In terms of the open men’s there is a new generation coming and hungry. Who do you think will be world champion soon?
Gui: There are many athletes leaving the Junior division and moving on to the Open. One of those who could soon be champion is Misael Cezário, from Brazil, who presents a very stylish bodyboard, which he complements with radical maneuvers. He will definitely be champion in the Open division!
Finally, what are your medium-term plans? Let’s say until 2030.
Gui: Well, by 2030 I want to be Pro Junior champion, and also improve my bodyboarding level. Until then, I’ll have to become a professional and I really hope to do well in this category.
Personal archive photos, IBC, Oficina Fábio Aquino & Ardiel Jiménez
