LEILA TAKEDA: EMPRESS OF THE WAVES

Translation: Heido Sundstrom



With the National Surfing Games in Rosarito, Baja California Norte just around the corner, we thought we’d catch up with the current National Champion, Leila Takeda, who is ready to defend her title this year. Leila is a young Mexican surfer born to her Japanese mother and Mexican father.

We hope that all of the girls reading this who have never surfed before would be inspired jump into the wonderful world of surfing.

Planeta Surf: Where were you born and where do you currently live?
Leila Takeda: I was born in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca but I live in Sayulita, Nayarit now.

PS: At what age did you start surfing? Who motivated you?
LT: I think I started surfing at about 9 or 10 years old, thanks to my mom. She was a bodyboarder so we were always at the beach.

PS: Where did you catch you first wave?
LT: In Playa Zicatela (when there were small waves).

PS: What important events have you competed in and what did you place?
LT: I got second place in the Onyone Cup in Japan, fourth place in the VQS and have represented Mexico in ISA events in Panama and New Zealand, as well as many contests in Mexico.

PS: What does your diet consist of?
LT: I try to eat a lot of vegetables, nuts, fish but sometimes when I travel I’m not able to eat as healthy and end up eating candy and donuts. My favorite foods are sushi, ramen and “agua-chile”.

PS: What other sports or activities do you do?
LT: I like to skate ramps and go paddleboarding, fishing and swimming.

PS: Did you think you’d ever become the National Champion of Mexico?
LT: Yeah, once or twice I thought it would be cool to be Mexico’s National Champion. But I honestly wasn’t planning on going to the Nationals, but I ended up going and got lucky enough to win it.

PS: Who inspires you to surf?
LT: My friends and boyfriend, Dylan.

PS: Tell us about the World Cup you attended.
LT: It was a lot of fun, I’ve never surfed in Panama and there were a lot of good surfers there.

PS: What places have you surfed?
LT: I’ve been to Hawaii, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, Puerto Rico, California and almost all of Mexico.

PS: Which is your favorite wave?
LT: I like almost all waves as long as there are good conditions, from small waves in Sayulita to larger ones in Zicatela.

PS: What languages do you speak?
LT: I speak Japanese and learned Spanish at the age of 7, which was actually pretty tough because I didn’t speak any when I entered school. I also speak English.

PS: Plans for the future?
LT: Just keep doing what I’m doing.

PS: Who are your sponsors?
LT: Azul Wetsuits

PS: Are you going to the Rosarito Nationals? And if so, what are you expectations?
LT: Yes I’m going and hope to keep my title.

PS: What would you say to the girls who have started or are starting to surf?
LT: I’d tell them to get out there and surf because it’s fun and healthy.

PS: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
LT: Thanks to all those who have supported me, I hope to get new support for the future.