The SLAB Average Surfer Interviews - Hugo Spinola

Another lockdown... and our ability to surf and mix with each other once again curtailed. We thought we would interview some average surfers, and see how they're getting on.

Like a fine bottle of Rioja or can of Estrella, Hugo is a Spanish import who has called Scotland home for the last 6 years . He is based in Glasgow, but living full time in his van allows him to be found chasing swells up North, diving for scallops out West or camping out for weeks on end on the East coasts many beaches.  

Hey Hugo, how is van life?

Pretty epic man, stuff breaks all the time but it's all part of it. Its like owning a boat that moves on land. Working in the farm/online and surfing is a perfect combo as I get to choose when I do what. 

Tell us more about Glasgow Greens.

Well about a year ago Andrew, Kieran, and myself, found a disused railway arch in Glasgow and built an indoor hydroponic farm growing herbs, salad and microgreens. We have recently launched our website. Building the website has been a ton of fun! I was mostly scoring east coast waves while working on my laptop and that’s exactly what I built the van for! 

How did you get into surfing?

I was always a water maniac. I grew up in Mallorca sailing, freediving, cliff jumping and spending summers at the beach with friends. Not many people know but Mallorca has stunning waves and warm water. Winters are mild and consistent, it just never gets big. My parents also loved to travel with me and my brother, and whenever they took us anywhere with surf, they would rent me a board and send me off to get battered by the waves.

Last big surf trip you went on?

Damn… Ireland! I wish I never came back. Absolutely stunning place, so many waves and not many people. I went with my good friend Matteo and scored a good few pointbreaks and reefs. Never got a huge swell, but I think deep inside I’m happy we didn’t jajajjaja. 

What did you love about the Emerald Isle?

The old tractors, seriously they were epic. Probably older than both you and me together and still roaring. I have to say everything was old and stunning, the pubs, the houses, and the landscape. The people were so friendly.

Being originally from Spain, how does surfing in Scotland compare?

Ahh there is so many differences. Going surfing with you or any other frother that is willing to put on a 5mm wetsuit is just epic. You have to get each other stoked for the waves or the cold will take you down. I also love the challenge it is to find the spot that is pumping, the logistics behind getting to it, the timing of the wind the tides and the swell… Its just so raw and unpredictable! Most days you only have one shot, one half-dry frozen wetsuit,or a couple hours in you. Spain is just not like that, everything is simpler, no boots, no gloves, no hood, no 3:30pm sunset, no howling winds… but the reward of scoring pumping waves just doesn’t taste as sweet. 

What motivates to put your wetsuit on in the middle of winter?

Damn! So many things man, I just love the ocean, I love surfing, I love sharing it with friends, I love getting battered by the could’ve been wave of my life, I love the post-surf fire, I love the stoke that takes over when I see that spray. But overall man… in winter, that’s when the big swells hit! That’s when the waves are pumping, the adrenaline rush, the feeling of fear, watching the cavern sized tubes that some of the Scottish legends ride, being inside one of them and letting time stop for a second or two before getting absolutely rag dolled while you wonder what you could’ve done to make it. And just that feeling of making a good wave or a good turn or figuring out something new, that’s what I chase, that’s what motivates me.