Koldo

For those of us that don’t know you - introduce yourself!

My name is Koldo Illumbe. I'm 18 years old from Bali, Indonesia and also half-Basque. I speak Indonesian, Spanish and English.

Talk us through your family story.

So, my Dad is from the Basque Country, a little village called Hondaribbia that’s near to San Sebastian and the French border and my mum is from Java, Indonesia. My dad had surf charter boats in the Mentawaii islands called the King Millenium. Now he only has the one boat after Covid so he’s pretty focused on that. I was born and raised in Bali but try and get back to Europe as often as I can – it’s a good mix!

I started surfing when I was five years old, but when I was three years old, I started skating. It’s funny because I really didn’t like surfing at all when I was that age, I was way more into skating. I guess my dad steered me towards it when I was around 10 and then I started to realize surfing was seriously fun. I was really fortunate growing up as there are so many good waves around Bali and to be able to go to the Mentawais and surf around there is such a privilege. I learnt so much about surfing different waves there and have had some of my best surfs of my life around those islands– I’m really grateful to my dad for that.

Describe the surf scene in Bali.

It’s changed a lot. I would say 10 years ago when I started surfing it was way more chilled then now. Now you have to work a lot more to escape the crowds! Luckily there are spots that aren’t as blown out, where we live there are still a few secret spots. I’d say the vibe in the water is more relaxed than Europe though, we have so many travelling surfers and so few real locals that it regulates itself, whereas in Europe you can have some waves that are really localized.

It's still a great scene to be in though; wake up, surf, have lunch and hang with my friends and go skate or whatever – I’m not complaining!

How do you find it coming back over to Europe?

I love it. I love to surf around the Basque Country; Mundaka when it’s on is amazing. Also crossing the border into France and surfing Hossegor is great - some of the world’s best beach breaks. Weirdly coming from Bali, I actually really like surfing in wetsuits, I actually prefer cold water surfing. At the beginning you have to relearn a few movements and figure it all out again but the experience is amazing. I went to Iceland a few years ago with the Vans team and it was amazing – although I fractured my ankle trying an air, it was still insane to see the scenery and surf freezing water.

Where in the world would you like to surf next?

I’d love to surf Skeleton Bay in Namibia, it looks amazing. Safi in Morocco has also always been a dream of mine - a long righthander. Those are my goals for the moment, it would be amazing to experience more of Africa – waves, people, food, everything!

On boards, talk us through the boards you have been riding recently.

I’ve been riding Chilli surfboards. They suit me really well, they are phenomenal for everything really; turns, barrels, airs. I’ve also been working with my friend Peta from the Basque Country, he’s an old school legend that shapes classic surfboards – twin fins, mid-lengths fishes etc. He shapes amazing boards, my favourite shaper in the world – my dad grew up with him so he’s like family to me, an uncle. It’s really interesting watching him shape and learning from him – he's a true master. It’s so rewarding spending time in the shaping bay and then riding that same board, it’s a different feeling. You fall in love with those boards.

Who are your role models in and outside of surfing?

My dad for sure, he’s a classic guy and taught me so much about surfing and life in general. Other than that Mason Ho is a big inspiration for me, he’s really on his own trip, doing things differently from everyone else. Riding different boards, surfing crazy slabs – he’s living!

How would you describe the vibes within the Vans family?

It’s amazing. The surfers, the skaters – everyone is really nice and takes care of eachother. When I broke my ankle in Iceland with the Vans team everyone really rallied around me and took care of me, that meant a lot. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that Vans has given me, and I’ve learnt a lot of good things. It’s been amazing to surf with guys like Mikey February and the rest of the team.

Any last words?

I’m still so young, so I’m not sure I can give any advice but I’m really grateful to be able to live these amazing experiences with new people and waves the world over.

Respect and be nice to people!