Surf Till 100 Adventures: Felipe Pomar’s Limit-Defying Journey with Starboard

Introducing Felipe Pomar, the 80-year-old Peruvian surfer on a mission to surf for a century. As the inaugural World Surfing Champion in 1965, Pomar now resides in Kauai, drawing inspiration from surfing pioneers like Duke Kahanamoku and modern icons like Laird Hamilton, who revolutionized stand-up paddleboarding. Pomar is still conquering challenging breaks today, waves that might give pause to many younger surfers. Although navigating formidable waves can take a toll on equipment, Pomar remains undeterred. Supporting his audacious goal, Starboard has offered Felipe Pomar the cutting-edge equipment necessary to keep him riding the waves until he reaches 100 years of age!  Starboard Product Manager Ollie O’Reilly is currently working on two customized SUP Surf Guns which will be handed over to Pomar in the coming days.

Felipe Pomar SUP Surfing Big Hanalei Break, Kauai

Embarking on his heroic journey at the age of 19, Felipe Pomar left his native Peru with the ambitious goal of traveling to Hawaii to conquer the world’s biggest waves—a challenge synonymous with the most elite surfers. For over six decades, Pomar has been riding Hawaii’s colossal waves and clinching victories in paddleboard races.

Pomar meets Duke, who inspired the young Peruvian surfer

During the late fifties and early sixties, Pomar was among the pioneering surfers who explored Peru’s coast, discovering premier big wave surfing spots and becoming one of the first to tackle the outside reefs on the North Shore of Oahu.

From 1965 to 1975, Pomar consistently ranked first or within the top three in all international big wave competitions. He also earned the title of paddleboard champion in Hawaii, Peru, and Europe.

Blessed with a life rich in travel and adventure, Pomar remains committed to embodying the Spirit of Aloha, promoting healthy living practices, and making a positive impact.

In Pomar’s own words, “I mostly feel like an 18-year-old with 62 years of experience, which I understand is unusual for a person my age.”

The 1965 World Surfing Champion is not content to rest on past laurels. Pomar, a stylish regular-footed surfer from Lima, Peru, has consistently demonstrated his prowess in big-wave surfing, claiming victories and securing top positions in various championships.

Pomar’s desire to explore new horizons led him to take up stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) after witnessing Laird Hamilton’s skills on a massive day at Hanalei Bay. His dream now includes conquering the big Hanalei break in Kauai, and to make this a reality, Starboard is crafting two custom SUP surf guns for him, deviating from their standard of using production boards.

The All Star crew of Surf Till 100: Felipe Pomar, Tom Woods, Jeff Hakman

Looking ahead to 2024, Pomar and his wife, Dr. Christina Degano, plan to launch the ‘Surf Till 100 Adventures’ grand tour. This tour will take them to surf havens in Peru, Costa Rica, Bali, Fiji, and a remote Indonesian paradise. As part of the journey, Pomar will share his insights on “How to Add Decades to Your Surfing Life” offering a practical course on his champion wellness regime. Dr. Degano’s holistic rejuvenation program will complement this, inspiring others to embark on their own journey to surf till 100.

For more details on the ‘Surf Till 100 Adventures,’ visit www.surftill100.com.

To find out more about the Starboard SUP Surf range, visit:
https://sup.star-board.com/surf-hard-paddle-boards/

Stay tuned for updates on the tour and exclusive glimpses of the customized SUP surf guns.