Sunova and Manuel Hoyuela: A Match Made for Victory

Manuel “Manu” Hoyuela, known as the “Fish Kid” (Niño Pez), had an outstanding 2024 season. Hailing from Suances, Spain, Manu has the perfect training playground at his doorstep – world-class waves, a canal for sprint training, and ideal downwind conditions. These diverse elements have shaped him into a versatile and powerful athlete, excelling in both SUP racing and SUP surfing.

In 2024, Manu claimed major titles, including the European Long Distance Championship, a silver medal in the Sprint at both the ISA and ICF Worlds, and a bronze in the Technical Race at the ICF World Championships in Sarasota.

With Sunova as his key sponsor, he has been riding some of the most innovative raceboards on the market, pushing his performance to new heights.

Picture: Mario Entero

Hi Manu, nice to have you here. You had an impressive 2024 season with victories and podium finishes. What were your personal highlights, and which Sunova raceboards did you use in different disciplines?

First of all, thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about my season! 2024 was a dream come true. After a tough 2023 with disappointing results, I finally found my rhythm—enjoying the sport I love and competing alongside the athletes I’ve looked up to since childhood.

Two moments stand out for me. The first was winning the European Long Distance title. Coming out of the water and hugging my mother, both of us in tears, was unforgettable. She works by my side every day, so celebrating that title together was incredibly special. The second was in Florida when I won silver in the Sprint, finishing behind Kraytor. After crossing the finish line, I hugged my brother, and we both cried, saying, “We did it, bro.” Being surrounded by my family, Vincent, Basque, Sergio, and my friends, along with the support from Elene and Unax, who trained with me all year, made the experience even more meaningful.

Sunova has played a huge role in my journey. Even after a rough 2023, they believed in me and provided everything I needed to train and compete. Dylan, Martin, and the entire team supported me through it all, and I’m truly grateful. My go-to raceboards are the Allwater and the Flatwater Pro Elite, but I have a special connection with the Flatwater – it brought me so many great moments last season. For me, it’s the best raceboard in the world right now.

Picture: ISA

Five weeks ago, you won the Sprint event at the EuroTour at Boot Düsseldorf. How did you prepare for this indoor sprint, and how did your Sunova raceboard contribute to your performance?

For Düsseldorf, I focused on sprint training in the harbor and spent a lot of time foiling and surfing. I used the Flatwater Elite 20” in Germany. The pool was really choppy, but I felt confident because I know this board so well. Its slight rocker helps it handle chop, and its low volume allows me to push hard with my legs, which is crucial in sprinting.

Picture: Mario Entero

Sunova has consistently developed cutting-edge raceboards. What features of your current board help you excel in sprint, technical, and long distance races? Have you noticed any new innovations in the latest models?

Sunova’s raceboards fit my technique perfectly. I’ve never liked high-volume boards, and Sunova has designed all their raceboards between 230 and 260 liters, with an approximate weight of 10.5 kg. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s real – these boards are game-changers. The Flatwater board’s convex tail makes it incredibly fast and responsive, while the new Allwater model features a low doughout and sharp nose, making it ideal for all conditions. Sunova is creating boards that perform exceptionally well in ocean racing, downwind conditions, and flat water.

Picture: Marco Messingfeld

You’re also a passionate SUP surfer. Insiders say you’ve just ordered a 9-foot SUP surf longboard for this season. Can you tell us more about it?

I’ve always loved longboarding and its style. When I was in Thailand, I saw people having a blast on longboards in Khao Lak, even in small waves. I realized I didn’t need perfect conditions, just a good board and the ocean. That’s why I ordered the Sunova Casey Revolution 9.0 x 25”. My goal is simple: to enjoy the ocean, feel connected to it, and dance with the waves. I’ve loved SUP surfing since I was a kid, and I have several Sunova models: the Casey Flow, Speed, Wedge, and SPX. Having this quiver allows me to surf all kinds of waves at my home spots. Balancing surf and raceboarding is easy for me. I train on my raceboard in the morning, and once the hard work is done, I grab my surfboard and hit the waves. It keeps my training fresh, clears my mind, and makes me feel like a kid again – finishing my homework and running outside to play.

Picture: Doc Robby

Foiling is another passion of yours. What Sunova boards do you use for foiling, and how does foiling benefit your race training?

I’ve wanted to start foiling since I was 12, but it wasn’t possible until last year when Sunova made it happen. They sent me an Aviator 6.6, and from day one, I was hooked. Step by step, I’ve been learning to fly, and it’s helping my race training a lot. Getting up on a foil from a dead stop is similar to sprinting with a 14-foot raceboard – it builds explosive power. Downwind and surf foiling also improve my ability to read the ocean. Everything happens so fast on a foil, you have to make quick decisions, or you’ll crash. When I switch back to my raceboard, it feels like I have more time to analyze and react.

Sunova is supporting me a lot in this. In 2025, I’ll be getting a downwind board from the new James Casey range. He’s doing incredible work in foiling, and I’m excited to push my skills further. Sprinting is one of your greatest strengths.

What specific training methods do you use to improve your sprint performance, and how do your Sunova raceboards enhance your speed and stability?

Vincent Guillaume is the mastermind behind my training plans. I follow everything he says, even when it means suffering through his intense weekly programs! His guidance plays a huge role in my development. I always try to combine racing, foiling, and surfing to improve my sprint. The Flatwater Elite 20” is my go-to sprint board. Its convex tail makes it extremely fast, and its low volume makes it highly reactive. It allows me to push hard with my legs and generate maximum speed while maintaining stability.

Picture: Doc Robby

2024 was a breakthrough season for you. What are your goals for 2025, both in competition and in your personal progression on the water?

For me, 2025 is another year to keep chasing my dreams. Competition-wise, I have one main goal – the same as in 2024. In my mind, there’s only one race that truly matters: the ICF World Championships in Abu Dhabi. On a personal level, I just want to continue enjoying the ocean, training at home, and making the most of the incredible support I receive from Sunova. The journey so far has been amazing, and I know that I can continue pushing myself, both in my performance and in how I connect with the water. It’s not just about the medals or titles, it’s about growing as an athlete and a person, learning new things, and always staying humble and grateful for the journey. In terms of specific goals, I want to keep evolving my skills across different disciplines. I’ll focus on maintaining my fitness for sprinting while improving my technique in long distance and technical races. I’m also excited to refine my foiling and surfing abilities, as they complement my race training and help me read the conditions better. And of course, I want to keep having fun. Whether I’m racing or just catching a wave, the most important thing is that I’m doing what I love with the people who support me. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Let’s keep riding the wave!

Picture: ISA

To find out more about Sunova visit the homepage
Follow Sunova on Instagram and Facebook
Follow Manuel Hoyuela on Instagram