Judit Vergés: Building Performance Through the Ocean

Judit Vergés is a surfski, surf lifesaving, and paddleboard athlete from Banyoles, Catalonia, currently based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Over the years, she has established herself at international level, collecting European titles and World Championship medals while continuing to progress across multiple paddle disciplines.

Living and training in Gran Canaria has played a key role in her development, offering consistent conditions that allow her to work on downwind skills, technique, and race preparation throughout the year. Beyond results, Judit approaches her sport as a continuous learning process, with a strong focus on personal and mental growth. In this interview, she talks about her journey, her relationship with the ocean, her proudest moments in competition, and the environment that has shaped her as an athlete.

Hi Judit can you introduce yourself to those who don’t know you yet?

Hi, I’m Judit Vergés, a surfski, surf lifesaving, and paddleboard athlete, born in Banyoles (Catalonia) but currently living in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

 How would you describe your relationship with the ocean today?

Peace. Being surrounded by salt water means peace to me. Everything I do is connected to the ocean, and most of my friendships have also come from the sea through sport. So my relationship with the ocean, as you can imagine, is very close.

Who or what inspires you the most in your sporting journey?

I think trying to better myself in every race is what motivates me the most. The constant attempt to improve, both physically and especially mentally, and to keep learning. Knowing that there is always more, more to improve and more to learn day after day,  is what inspires me and pushes me to be better than the person I was yesterday.

What are the achievements you’re most proud of so far in your surfski career?

Apart from European titles and World Championship medals, I think the race I’m most proud of is this year’s World Championships in Durban, both the SS2 and the SS1 races (4th and 5th place, respectively). I approached that World Championship as a personal challenge: to complete both races solidly, without expectations about results. In the end, I surprised myself, because I think I broke a mental barrier. It taught me that I need to believe in myself more and trust myself, that I’m capable of much more than I think.

Downwind, flatwater, or technical conditions, where do you feel strongest, and why?

Anything but flatwater, please… haha. I don’t know where I’m strongest, but what I enjoy the most, without a doubt, is downwind. It’s where I have the most fun, enjoy myself the most, feel freer, and always come out of the water happier.

 What is your favorite training spot in Gran Canaria, and what makes it special for you?

Anywhere along the east coast of Gran Canaria is perfect. From our club, which is in Las Palmas city, we can do downwinds of different distances, from 9 km up to 46 km. And when we’re not doing downwind, the area where we train also offers very technical conditions, with interesting sections of downwind, sidewind, and upwind.

Do you prefer training alone or in a group? And do you currently train with a group in Gran Canaria?

In a group,  200%. I couldn’t train alone nowadays. When I was 18, I used to train alone quite often in lifesaving, but now I couldn’t. I always train with a group, and I think that’s one of the most important things: having at least someone to go out on the water with, to talk during training, to push you and for you to push back. And if the group is slower than you, you adapt,  you hold back, you do team boats, whatever it takes. You adjust as needed.

What equipment do you currently use for surfski training and racing?

I use the FENN Spark S (Hybrid) for training which is the one I have in Las Palmas and the FENN Fennix Spark (Carbon) for racing. For paddles, I use a Jantex 680, currently set at 2.04 m. If I have a very strong upwind, I shorten it a bit.

The Spark is amazing for me; I’m in love with that ski. The seat fits me like a glove, it adapts perfectly to my body, it’s stable, and it surfs beautifully. I feel my stroke is effective and that the ski responds incredibly well.

 Morning training or sunset session, which one do you choose, and why?

Sunset session. I’m not a morning person… haha.

Music while training or pure ocean sounds?

Pure ocean sounds. Although sometimes I’ve wished I had waterproof headphones to listen to music during flat, conditionless sessions. I don’t rule it out for the future.

Every athlete manage the after race differently in your case , what’s the very first thing you do once you’re off the water?

It depends… haha. Sometimes I cross the finish line so broken that all I want to do is curl up into a ball. But usually, I go find people from my club or friends to talk about the race, congratulate them, and share the moment.

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