From Young Paddler to 2025 World Champion: The Rise of Bernardo Pereira

From the powerful coastline of Madeira to the highest level of international surfski racing, Bernardo  Pereira has built his career through consistency, dedication, and a deep connection with the ocean. Starting paddling at just six years old, he developed the skills and mindset required to compete among the best athletes in the world. His progression has been marked by years of training, international experience, and continuous improvement, culminating in his breakthrough as 2025 Surfski World Champion. Beyond the results, Bernardo’s journey reflects the importance of confidence, the right environment, and trusting the process. In this interview, he opens up about racing, preparation, equipment, and the pursuit of becoming one of the sport’s best.

Hi Bernardo, thank you for joining us. Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey in surfski? Growing up in Madeira surrounded by the ocean, what first connected you with paddling, and how has your island shaped you as an athlete and ocean racer?

My name is Bernardo Leça Pereira and I’m a surfski paddler from Madeira Island, Portugal. I am 23 years old and I started paddling when I was 6 years old. I was attracted to the sport by my father, who also paddles.

Although Madeira is surrounded by ocean, there was a fairly big pressure for young paddlers to go into sprint paddling. At the time, Madeira already had two Olympic sprint paddlers, which was a respected number for such a small island without lakes or rivers.

I never enjoyed sprint as much as I enjoy Surfski. The freedom we feel on the ocean is an unparalleled, incomparable feeling. The views, the downwind, and the wildlife of the oceans around Madeira are what made me stick to ocean paddling.

At the highest level, racing is as much mental as physical,how do you prepare psychologically for big races, and what methods do you use to stay calm and focused in intense moments?

Racing at big events is a challenge, not only physically but also psychologically. As athletes, we are used to training our bodies to suffer and sustain a big effort to prepare for races.

What some people underestimate is the importance of also preparing a positive attitude and a confident mindset. I believe a lot in the work me and my team do every day, so I am comfortable with any of the possible outcomes a race can bring.

Of course, we are human and we can have bad days, especially when competing against the biggest names in Surfski paddling. But if I am able to give my best effort on race day, I know I have done everything I could.

NAME: ©HKM MEDIA 2024

You’ve competed in many locations worldwide, which surf ski spots have you enjoyed the most, and what makes those places stand out for you?

Of all the places I’ve paddled, I have some opinions on what are, for me, the best Surfski spots. First of all, my hometown in Madeira, a village called Calheta. We don’t have downwind regularly, but it’s never flat. We always have some kind of swell rolling through that makes every training session special. Outside Madeira, the best downwinds I’ve paddled were Sardinia during the European Championships in 2022 and Lanzarote during the World Championships in 2021.

Another very special place for me is Villajoyosa, where I obtained my first international medal at the European Championships in 2018.

After winning silver in the SS1 U23 at the 2024 World Championships and becoming world champion in 2025, how do you look back on that journey? What was the main turning point that elevated your performance?

I don’t think it was mindset or anything special. In 2024 I was a young 21-year-old guy racing in a World event. I think that in 2025 I simply had another year of experience racing.

Over the years, my training sessions and progress have become stronger and stronger. I think it is about surrounding yourself with people who want your success as much as you do. I found that in recent years, and I’m happy to say I belong to a group of people who work hard and constantly aim for better results.

In terms of equipment, what surf ski are you currently paddling, and what are your preferred settings?

It’s funny because, of all the things that can go wrong on race day, the one I trust the most to work is the equipment I use. I was fortunate enough to be approached by Nelo Kayaks in 2018. For a 15-year-old to be approached by one of the biggest kayak companies in the world, and one that is proudly Portuguese, was a pleasure of a lifetime.

Since then, we have been working together to bring the best possible Surfskis to paddlers around the world. Nelo trusted me when I was really young, they were the first ones to see that I could achieve something in the sport, and now it’s my turn to make that happen. Currently, I use the Nelo 62, which has a super comfortable seat. It also has a strong carbon footplate with a tight footrest, which is the setup I like on my boat.

My paddle is a Jantex. I’ve been using this model since I was really young, so it grew with me, and now anything else feels strange. I love all my Jantex paddles because they were the first ones I ever had.

Beyond training and competition, what do you enjoy doing outside of canoeing to relax and maintain balance in your life?

When I’m not paddling, I like to relax. I enjoy going to the beach with friends, not to swim but to play football (although my skills at football have been described to me as “very limited”). I also travel quite frequently, which I really enjoy, and overall I like simply relaxing with friends and family.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the next few years in canoeing, and are there specific milestones you are aiming to achieve?

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be paddling, but as long as I have the power, I’ll always want to go for a session on the ocean. Having been World Champion as a Junior and as an U23 athlete, I feel like the next challenge is the goal of everyone in the sport: becoming Overall World Champion.

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