Wave bomber turned race contender: Indiana’s Jose Manuel Muño spotlights the Andalusian SUP circuit

Indiana Paddle & Surf Co‘s rider, Jose Manuel Muño, 48, from Algeciras, Cádiz (Andalusia, Spain), is no stranger to big-stage battles on the EuroTour, paddling with some of the world’s best – while firmly holding his ground in the amateur division.

His 2024 season was packed with podiums: second place at the Spanish Sprint Cup in Sancti Petri, runner-up at the EuroTour in Chiclana, and a strong showing with second place in the Spanish Long Distance Cup at Isla Cristina. He also claimed third at the International Championship Battle for Hércules in Benalmádena.

This momentum carried into 2025, where he took second at the European SUP League in Benalmádena and another podium with third place at the EuroTour in Sancti Petri, proving his versatility and rising star status on the Andalusian SUP racing circuit.

TotalSUP caught up with José to talk about his rise through the amateur SUP racing scene, coming from a surf background and riding the momentum of Andalusia’s booming paddling culture. The region is a true playground for SUP and surf enthusiasts, with over 1,000 km of coastline split between the Mediterranean and Atlantic. From punchy beach breaks to world-class downwind runs, it’s one of Europe’s rare regions where you can tick every box – sometimes all in one day.

Image source: The EuroTour

Hi Jose, welcome to TotalSUP! Can you tell us a bit about how your stand-up paddling journey started and how you transitioned into the competitive side of the sport?

It all started in 2013 when I relocated for work to an area without waves – since I had always practiced surfing. My first competition experience was at an demo event organized by my club in a swimming pool. They were technical races, and that’s what hooked me – especially the great atmosphere, the thrill of competition, and the excitement of advancing through heats. That’s what awakened my competitive spirit.

You’re a very versatile paddler, effortlessly switching between race and surf disciplines — how do you balance the two, and what do you take from one that helps with the other?

Well, I’ve always loved the sea and the waves, so everything related to water really draws me in. Racing is more demanding because it requires a lot of preparation and time dedicated to training—but my eyes are always on the horizon, looking for waves, because that’s what I enjoy most.

What you feel when you catch a wave is something competitions can’t give you, and surfing with a board over 4 meters long is amazing.

In fact, my favourite competitions are beach races – they involve hard paddling, but if there are waves, you enjoy it so much more.

Which race or moment so far has made you feel like you truly “arrived” as a competitor?

Mainly the international competitions, like the EuroTour and Battle for Hercules, because you find yourself racing against high-level riders. Also, the events in the Andalusian Championship, where the level keeps rising and where some of today’s top riders have emerged.

This season has been intense, with the Spanish events raising the bar. You’ve gone head-to-head with some of the world’s top paddlers — how has that experience influenced your mindset and approach to racing?

Well, I haven’t competed directly against them since I race in the Amateur division, but seeing them live is a learning experience for everyone on the beach – whether you’re racing or just watching.

Your approach changes because you see how they do things: their starts, turns, how they read the race depending on the wind and waves – it always leaves you wanting more.

Image source: The EuroTour | Sancti Petri SUP Race 2025

Spain is the hotspot for SUP racing. What do you think sets the Spanish SUP scene apart right now?

Every year, more international races are held in Spain, attracting a growing number of international riders who keep coming back to our shores.

Speaking specifically about my region – Andalusia – the great weather and the variety of coastal conditions make it very appealing for riders to attend races en masse. The welcoming spirit of the people and the high-quality event organization make this area a perfect place to practice the sport.

Could you tell us more about the collaboration with Indiana and what it means to you as an athlete, and how has it influenced your performance or progression?

Indiana has always seemed like a very appealing brand to me—they offer high-quality products. Thanks to Marco (Indiana Spain) and Gunnar Biniasch (Indiana), I was able to secure this collaboration, which has allowed me to enjoy SUP on another level. It’s helped me improve in competitions, push myself to achieve better results, and enjoy the sport even more.

What’s your Indiana board setup and why does it work well for your style and the kind of events you compete in?

My board is the Indiana Open Water Race, 14×25. I chose this setup because in the area where I live and paddle the most—Algeciras, located in the Strait of Gibraltar—we have very changeable wind and wave conditions. Besides competitions, I love enjoying waves, downwinds, and long-distance crossings.

I also regularly paddle at beaches in Tarifa and the Cádiz coast, like El Palmar and Los Caños de Meca, where there’s always swell. So, a narrower board wouldn’t give me the same performance as the Open Water model, which I absolutely love.

Looking ahead, how do you see the Spanish SUP community continuing to grow, and where do you see yourself in that?

From my position as a regular amateur competitor on the Andalusian circuit, I think the sport is progressing really well. Everyone who tries competing tends to stick with it, and the great atmosphere and solid event organisation are major positives that help the community grow.

The future should focus on the next generation—if we want the sport to keep growing, we need to teach kids that it’s very accessible. With time and dedication, it can become their main sport since it’s something you can practice year-round.

I’ll continue competing at my amateur level and keep trying to progress enough to make the jump to the Elite division—but always enjoying the sea and the waves above all.

Muchísimas gracias Jose – Wishing you an epic rest of the season both in surf and SUP racing!

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*Images courtesy of Jose Manuel Muño