Matchu_Athlete_2
Matchu Lopes portrait

Matchu Lopes

Nationality
Spanish and Cape Verdean

Homespot
Santa Maria, Cape Verde

Date of Birth
04.10.1993

Kitesurfing since
2007

Favorite Spot
Bangladesh, Ponta Petra, Fiji

Favorite Gear Set-Up
Neo SLS 6, Whip SLS 5'1

Biggest Career Achievement
World Champion 2016, 3 x Vice World Champion

YOUR HOBBIES ASIDE KITEBOARDING?

Surfing, Spearfishing, beach volleyball.

WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY WITHOUT WIND? 

Gym, Physio, Massage and rest

WHAT STYLE OF MUSIC ARE YOU INTERESTED IN? 

Afro music, reggae, house, rap

HOW AND WHY DID YOU START KITEBOARDING? 

I started to kite I was 15 years old but before kiting I was full on with Surfing and Windsurfing.

The moment I started kiting I knew it was the thing I wanted the most in this life. I felt in love right a way!

During the week I’d be at school and I couldn’t surf or kite but on the weekend I’d be the whole day in the water or by the beach helping tourists preparing their gear to go out and also begging them to let me kite on their gear haha

I remember on the weekends I’d be the whole day in the water trying to learn new tricks. Sometimes I’d be kiting 4 to 5 hours non stop and finishing my session extremely tired. Most of the time I didn’t even had the energy to walk back home from how tired I was. My Dad would be super mad at me because I should be doing that…

WHY ARE YOU RIDING FOR DUOTONE?

There’s nothing like riding Duotone kites! If I want to be one of the best out there I need the best kites and boards.

WHAT IS YOUR MAIN GOAL FOR THE FUTURE?

I have many goals on my mind but the one I want the most now is to be World number one again and then go around the world chasing BIG barrels.

WHAT TRAINING DO YOU DO TO STAY FIT? 

To stay fit I try to do what an athlete supposed to be doing. In my case, Kite everyday if possible, gym and eat healthy, don’t lose much sleep, don’t drink alcohol and don’t smoke.

WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR JOB IF YOU WOULDN'T BE A PRO KITEBOARDER? 

Long story short, I’d probably still be teaching how to kitesurf on the Island…

WHAT´S YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD? 

Sushi!

WHAT DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO SAY?

No stress haha

Favorite Gear Set-Up

View Product

Click Bar Quad Control 2024

Bars

Whip SLS

SMALL TO MEDIUM WAVES / STRAPLESS FREESTYLE

Matchu`s stories