The 2024 Bodyboarding World Champion, Armide Soliveres, from the Canary Islands, who happens to also be the 2018 Pro Junior World Champion, 3x European Champ and 3x Spain’s National Champ, left an uncomfortable message on social media that left us wondering if the end is near.
This is not the first time this has happened. Remember that in March last year, after achieving his first world title, Hawaiian Tanner McDaniel also announced an unexpected off competitive season (read more here).
Here’s the message from Armide:
“Hello family. I wanted to tell you that the South American stops might be the last ones I’ll compete with Science Boards. Right now, I don’t have a contract with any brand, but I’m keeping with them mainly because of the good relationship we’ve had all these years. And I´m very grateful for all the support I’ve received from them over the years, especially from Mike Stewart.
From now on, a very special stage begins for me. For the first time, I’m going to try to make a 100% living from bodyboarding. Until now, my studies have been my priority, but this year I want to really focus on competing and enjoying the sport I love to the fullest.
When I return home, at the end of June, I’ll sit down and evaluate everything calmly. I have to be very serious about sponsorship, because now they’re really going to be a key part of my journey.
Thanks to everyone who supports me and is there every day. See you in the water!”
Let us just say that this is a fair and legitimate thought. After all, Armide is the world champion and deserves a chance to make a living from the sport he loves. If not him, who will deserve it?
One week ago, the 23-year-old bodyboarder concluded his nursing course and became an official nurse. Congrats buddy. This, we think, should be something REAL to be focus on. He wrote at the time: “(…) fulfilling my second biggest goal of my life so far.”
Well, when brands in the bodyboarding industry tell us they have no money, we shouldn’t believe them. After so many years of saying the same thing, why wouldn’t they have already closed their doors or just start another business?
We also believe that, in general, bodyboarders have been undemanding and that this has been compromising everyone’s lives and dreams. When someone is undemanding and accepts little, they end up contributing to a vicious cycle that ends up giving rise to publications of this kind.
How long will they try to fool us? Changing the status quo, as always, is in the hands of the bodyboarders. Make yourselves heard.
