Meet the world’s best groms! Here’s: Sammy Pupo

Interview by Matt Hoy | All photos by Ricardo Bravo

Right now, the world’s 10 best under 18 surfers are in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha, for the final of Quiksilver’s 2015 King Of The Groms. While they’re there, we’ll be profiling the kids who are keeping the future of surfing bright – as interview by the vibrant Matt Hoy. Today, let’s meet…

Sammy Pupo!

My name is Samuel Pupo, and I’m 15 years old, from Brazil.

My favourite wave is Maresias, it’s my home break so I surf there everyday, it’s a beachbreak and it’s pretty good.

My favourite board dimensions? How can I explain it in English… 5’9”… I don’t know. You have to ask my dad, he’s my shaper. He knows all my boards. He makes all my brother’s boards, too. He’s been shaping my boards forever. He made my first one when I was six years old. Before that, I was riding Miguel’s old boards.

Who’s been ripping at King Of The Groms? Jordy’s been surfing so good, he’s really good on the rail. And I saw Kian getting really good barrels, it’s fun surfing with that guy. Sebastian Williams! He does really good backside airs. He’s ripping.

The thing I most like about King Of The Groms is that the contest is really different to a normal contest – it doesn’t feel like a contest.

I really want Adriano De Souza to win the world title this year, he’s been trying so hard and I think it’s his time. Filipe is still young and has a lot of title races ahead of him. So I really want Adriano to win. But I think Mick will probably win. His first round was sick. Backdoor for him is… easy.

The best surfer in the world right now is, I think, Filipe. He does crazy airs, crazy turns, he’s good at barrels… for me, he’s the best.

If you gave me a million dollars right now, I really like Bali, so I’d buy Keramas (laughs). No, it’s the best place for me, so every time I have some money I go there for as long as I can and see my girlfriend. It’s Kian (Martin)’s sister.

Three things I’d take to a deserted island would be my dad to make my surfboards, my girlfriend – that’s for sure, and my mum to hang out with my dad.

Ten years from now, I’d like to be on the WCT, that’s everyone’s dream. Competing with Kelly and Mick… yeah, Kelly will probably still be on tour – look at the air he did in Portugal! I would love to win a world title. Kelly has 11, I’d like to get close, like seven for me is good (laughs).

I’m most scared of sharks. I saw one yesterday, a big one. I don’t know what type, but I got so scared. And I had to be really calm. So I just paddled in and got out quickly.

The biggest influence on my surfing is my brother, of course. He rips, and we always surf together when we’re both home. The last event he won at home, the QS10,000, that was super cool because he didn’t win an event for a long time and then he won at home, riding one of my dad’s boards.