Get used to the name Carlos Muñoz because you’ll be hearing a lot more of him. I had the incredible opportunity to hang with Carlos for a week when he stayed at my house during the U.S. Open of Surfing a few years back. The kid is freakishly good at everything he does. Ping pong, pool, skating, cards – it doesn’t matter what it is – he’ll smoke you in whatever you bring to the table. What is more obvious is his remarkable talent on a surfboard. It was quite funny that he ate McDonalds for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but it didn’t matter what he ate because he burned off all those calories ripping Lower Trestles to shit for five hours everyday. The caliber of his surfing was unbelievable. His robust energy and “pura vida” stoke that he put into his surfing was, and continues to be, an inspiration to my surfing. When I heard he won the video trials to be a wildcard in the Hurley Pro Trestles, it felt like I had won the wildcard position. I believe the entire country of Costa Rica felt the same way. To me, the energy in the air at Lowers during Round 1, Heat 6 was unlike any other heat. In addition to the fact that Carlos was the first-ever Costa Rican to surf in a WCT event, he ended up taking down the current leader, Gabriel Medina, which made the entire beach go absolutely bananas.
Carlos Munoz in Round 1 Heat 6 where he defeated Gabriel Medina. Photo: ASP | Kirstin Scholtz
Although Carlos went down in Round 3, I believe the Hurley Pro was a big confidence booster for him. Coach Jim Hogan explained that one of the hardest things for Carlos to deal with is the belief that when he leaves Costa Rica, he’s not the best anymore. However, beating Gabriel Medina was huge. So huge. Seeing people wearing t-shirts with his face imprinted on them and screaming, “Go Carlos!” is huge. He’s only number 41 on the QS but you can bet your ass that he will be climbing the rankings. Get used to the name Carlos Muñoz – he is only getting started.
