It is an honour to introduce Vicente Irisarri to you. A role model and a friend, whose contribution to surfing, its natural spaces, and its culture transcends borders and perfectly embodies the values we promote at the Surf & Nature Alliance.

Many have aptly described him as the person who, on multiple occasions, has made possible for Galician surfing what everyone else considered impossible. Born in Vigo in 1951, Vicente is one of the pioneers of surfing in Galicia from the 1970s. In 1987, he was the main driving force behind the creation of the Océano Surf Club, the first surf club established in Galicia. However, Vicente is best known in the surfing world for being the mastermind and coordinator of the Pantín Classic during its first 18 editions. In just three years, the Pantín Classic evolved from a regional competition to becoming part of the European circuit; two years later, it entered the world circuit. The event’s growth, its unique style, the prestige it quickly gained, and the positive impact it had on Galician society can all be largely attributed to Vicente.

Throughout his tenure leading the Club from 1988 to 2005, he actively worked to integrate surfing into mainstream society. He spearheaded the foundation of Agasurf, the precursor to today’s Galician Surfing Federation. Between 2000 and 2011, he also facilitated the inclusion of the local Galicia chapter of the Surfrider Foundation within the Océano Surf Club’s structure. He promoted cultural activities linked to surfing, such as film festivals, exhibitions, and publications, where environmental issues always held a central role. In his most recent endeavours, he has been a key force behind the creation of the Océano Surf Museum, the first museum dedicated to the culture and history of surfing on our coasts. He has also brought surfing to the airwaves—before podcasts became popular—by hosting the radio show Music, Surf, and Environment since 2012, where he shares his thoughts, concerns, and musical tastes while giving visibility to people and projects of significance in the Galician surf scene.

Vicente holds a degree in Naval Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. His professional experience has been centered on business management, in both private and public enterprises. He served as President of the Port Authority of Ferrol-San Cibrao and of the regional entity Portos de Galicia. In his political career, he was the Mayor of Ferrol from 2007 to 2011. In his later professional years, he focused on education, serving as Co-Director of the Master’s Program in Logistics and Transport at the University of A Coruña from 2014 to 2022.

After spending half of his life promoting surfing, he now dedicates the other half to fostering its structured and positive development for both society and the environment. He aims to enhance the recognition, conservation, and sustainable management of surfing’s natural and cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the sport just as he did more than 50 years ago.