Aritz Aramburu (euk) is one of those 7 mercenaries of the Euroforce on the Dream Tour. He is a big charger on tour and he proved it last year during the Rip Curl Pro Fidji. Aritz got an injury wild card and is back on the Dream Tour. He is 100 % fit, very hungry, and is a real threat for everyone gonna face him in heats. The Basque has just defeated the king Kelly at Teahuppo (pyf)

Freaksurf Magazine : Can you present yourself, where do you come from, ... ?

Aritz Aramburu : I'm Aritz Aranburu, 23. Coming from Zarautz Basque Country-Spain.

Where did you discover surfing ?

In my home town. They used to make a WQS contest in Zarautz and it inspired me a lot.

Why did you choose this sport rather than another ?

We have a really nice beach sticked to the town and since I was 3 or 4 I had a really big conexion with the waves.

Give us a few words on the WQS

Gladiators tour. 300 guys trying to get into 15 slots.

What does a rider from the qs need to jump in the dream tour ?

To be really strong mentally

Tell us about your first step in the dream tour, your feelings.. the most impressive surfers...

The level is huge. And you really need to step up if you really want to keep been a WCT surfer. Kelly is always been the guy who most impressed me.

You've been injured last year, are you totally ok for this year ?

110 %

Everybody is looking for euroforce this year, tell us about this band of friends

We know each other since our regional contests and it's nice to have them traveling with me. Everyone is hungry to climb positions on the ratings.

Did you trained with them?

We surf together in the warm up sessions before every contest and help each other a lot.

Are we gonna see a european strategie?

Surfing is an individual sport

During your heat against Cj you seemed angry and even tryed the same aerial than last year when you got injured, is that to prove everybody you're ready to kick some ass even the best asses?

I'm coming really hungry this year, I'm feeling fit and ready to go

Do you have a favorite event on the dream tour and why ?

Chopes and pipe are my favourites. barrel time!!! I really like Hossegor and Mundaka also.

What is your goal for this year ?

Get more confidence and climb as many positions as I can.

What are you doing when you're not surfing ?

Family, girlfriend, friends, gym, reading, music, cinema, EATING !

Your favourite

Manover : barrel

Trick : explosive turn

Spot : home

Wave : Mundaka

Friend on tour : Uffff!!! Many

Event : Chopes

Best trip : Chopes 08 after fidji WCT

Worst : don't remember

It's clear you are a real danger for everyone in big wave as you prove it at FIDJI, is it easier for you to compete in big waves? do you feel more relaxed?

Can you tell us the biggest party you made on tour, where, when and with who ?

When I qualifyed for the WCT. But it was at home with my friends

Mimi and Miky are jujitsu fighter are you member of the streetfighter team ?

I can K.O. Miky whenever I want and he knows it. I'm not into jiujitsu but I like to watch it.

Now what do you prefer winning the Billabong Pro against Kelly in final, or Pipe against Jeremy Flores, Miky Picon and Tiago Pires in final ?

It could be super nice to have a four european final but to beat Kelly in Pipe, ... is there anything better???

Thanks, Abrazo Aritz !

Interview by Johann Mouchel for Freaksurf Magazine

You've been delivered a wild card for this year, did you make a special preparation this winter, did you change something?

After the injury I've been working more in coordination exercises and flexibility a lot. I used to work on this things a lot before, but I realized the more you do, better you are.

I really like the feeling of competing with bigger waves. Surfing is more fun to me when there is a little bit of fearness.

Is there an event you dream to win?

All of them.