Who is he?
Nickname / Age
Lionel Garcia aka Luo / 28 years old
Favourite sports / Spots
Swimming, coastal rescue, stand up paddle, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, climbing, skiing / Marbella, Les 100 marches, Bidart Centre
Year of start of practice / Number of years of practice
"I started swimming at the age of 5. It was the only sport that allowed me to channel my hyperactivity at that age. From the age of 10 until 17, I swam competitively, training more than 15 hours a week, spending my weekends in competitions and my holidays on training courses. That's what led to an overdose of swimming at that age, when you want to discover things other than swimming.
Looking back, I have no regrets about that period, on the contrary, because it's what got me to where I am now. Then I did a lot of climbing for 4 years during my studies in Montpellier, because I come from Millau, a town surrounded by gorges and cliffs. And I wanted to make the most of having grown up in this natural environment by climbing.
I started lifesaving when I was 22. I wanted to get into it because I started to feel a great need to be in the water and it was also with a view to becoming a professional lifeguard in Biarritz. That's what I've been doing for the last 6 years. Lifesaving is the sport that got me back into water sports. Firstly, because it's more varied and more fun than swimming. And also because it's still a tough, physical sport that requires a certain amount of mental strength. I'm now a trainer at the Bidart coastal lifesaving club (Bidart Océan Club) and for me it's a great continuation of everything I've done before.
Awards / Trophies
"The chance to train and compete alongside world-class athletes.
What do the ocean and your water activities bring you?
"The aquatic environment has always been my favourite. It contains me and gives me a framework. If I'm not in the water and I don't have that feeling of gliding generated by this environment (no matter what kind of practice I'm doing), every day or quite often, I quickly feel a lack and an overflow of energy".
Who inspires you?
"On the sporting side, there are watermen such as Laird Hamilton and Kalani Lattanzi. Great swimmers like Ryan Lochte, surfers like Mick Fanning, and athletes from other backgrounds like climber Chris Sharma. But also musicians like Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age or Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters, and contemporary filmmakers like David Fincher or Christopher Nolan."
What do you do when you're not in the water?
"I make the most of spending time with my family, going off to see the country and playing other sports.
Why Mellow Sea?
The values of the brand, which aims to give everyone - of all ages and shapes - the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the sea and ocean all year round. The simplicity of the designers with whom I've been able to talk, who are in no way trying to project the image of an elitist brand, in the guise of appearances or the hypocrisy of selling 'miracle' products, but rather in the spirit of sharing, exchange and humility. And finally, the fact that the brand wants to develop products related to the water sports I practice and with a view to helping design them.
Favourite Mellow Sea product?
Motivational advice?
"Enjoyment of your sport is the key to long-term progress. If this pleasure fades or your progress stagnates, open up to other activities that could complement your sport. From there, perhaps a new pleasure will be born and will then lead you to progress!
