Arguably one of the most exciting skimmers out there today, Yahir Valencia spent the majority of his 2026 season in Europe. Skimming, and winning the Euro Skim Tour while getting it done with the Zap Euro Crew, Yahir had an awesome year that was super fun to watch. His high-energy skimming wrapped up with his technical prowess is always a treat to see and we were stoked as the year unfolded for him. But what did he think about 2026? And what about his plans for 2027? We chatted with him a bit to see where his head was at with all that. Check it out below!
ZAP: Congrats on a rad season! How do you feel about it?
Yahir: It was an incredible season; I feel very happy about everything we achieved. Being with the European ZAP team for the second time was a major milestone for me. We’re like a family, and at every single event, we all push one another to take Team ZAP to the very top.
Fue una temporada increíble, me siento muy feliz por todo lo que logramos. Estar con el equipo ZAP de Europa por segunda vez fue algo muy importante para mí. Somos como una familia y siempre, en cada evento, todos los del equipo estamos impulsándonos para llevar a Team ZAP a lo más alto.
ZAP: You became the Euro Champ for 2026. How did that feel?
Yahir: I feel very happy to have won the European title for the second time. It is something very special to me—a feeling I cannot describe in words. All the effort and training paid off, and being able to achieve it again fills me with pride.
Me siento muy feliz por haber obtenido por segunda vez el título europeo. Es algo muy especial para mí y una sensación que no puedo describir con palabras. Todo el esfuerzo y entrenamiento valieron la pena, y poder conseguirlo nuevamente es algo que me llena de orgullo.
ZAP: How much fun was it traveling with the Zap Euro crew so much this season?
Yahir: It was an incredible experience. Traveling with the ZAP team from Europe was something very special because we’re like a family. At every event, we support and motivate one another. Plus, getting to discover amazing places, new waves, and new people made the whole experience even better.
Fue una experiencia increíble. Viajar con el equipo ZAP de Europa fue algo muy especial porque somos como una familia. En cada evento nos apoyamos y motivamos unos a otros. Además, poder conocer lugares increíbles, nuevas olas y nuevas personas hizo que toda la experiencia fuera aún mejor.
ZAP: What are a few of your favorite moments from 2026
Yahir: I can’t describe every moment that brought me happiness—I’d never finish if I tried! But one that left a lasting impression on me was seeing ZAP at the top of the podium at every single event. Getting to discover incredible places, find new waves, and meet new people—these are memories I’ll always carry with me.
No puedo describir todos los momentos que me hicieron feliz porque, si no, nunca acabaría. Pero uno de los que más me dejó marcado fue ver que en todos los eventos ZAP estuvo en lo más alto del podio. También poder conocer lugares increíbles, nuevas olas y nuevas personas son recuerdos que siempre voy a llevar conmigo.
ZAP: What are your plans for the offseason?
Yahir: My plans for the offseason are to keep training even harder, continue improving, and create new opportunities and new projects for next year.
Mis planes para la offseason son seguir entrenando con más fuerza, seguir mejorando y crear nuevas oportunidades y nuevos proyectos para el año que viene.
ZAP: What do you have planned for 2027? Any trips scheduled yet?
Yahir: For the moment, I prefer not to announce anything for the upcoming season, because it’s a surprise that many will want to find out about. I’m really looking forward to what’s coming, and I hope to be able to share it with everyone soon.
Por el momento prefiero no anunciar nada para esta temporada que viene, porque es una sorpresa que muchos van a querer conocer. Tengo muchas ganas de lo que viene y espero poder compartirlo pronto con todos.
ZAP: Is there anything about 2026 that you would change? If so, what is it and why?
Yahir: I wouldn’t change anything about this season. There were ups and downs, but every moment is a learning experience, and I would never change something that has already happened. I prefer to learn from each experience, keep improving, and always look ahead.
No cambiaría nada de esta temporada. Hubo altas y bajas, pero todo momento es un aprendizaje y jamás cambiaría algo que ya pasó. Prefiero aprender de cada experiencia, seguir mejorando y siempre mirar hacia adelante
ZAP: Thanks for taking the time, Yahir. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us before we go?
Yahir: One last thing: be prepared for next season, because I’m coming back with much more knowledge and an even greater hunger to achieve what I’m aiming for.
Many thanks to ZAP Skimboards for making all of this possible. I couldn’t have asked for a better family
Lo último que quiero decir es que estén preparados para la próxima temporada, porque voy con mucho más aprendizaje y más hambre para lograr lo que quiero.
Muchas gracias a ZAP Skimboards por hacer todo esto posible. No me pudo haber tocado una mejor familia que esta.
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