The Legend Award is meant for a rider who embodies what Zap is all about – getting people stoked to be on the water! That’s exactly what Emanuel “Mega” Embaixador does. His infectious positive energy shines through all the time and we are stoked to call him family. We recent;y caught up with him at Spring Fling and chatted about the Legend Award and what it means to him. Check it out now!
ZAP: Yo Mega, you’ve been with the Zap crew for quite some time now. What does this award mean to you?
Mega: Honestly, it means a lot to me. I’ve been part of the Zap family for many years now, but I still feel the same excitement I felt on the very first day I joined Zap. I’m truly grateful to be a rider, partner, and part of the Zap family.
Looking back, it’s crazy to think that I used to go to the same surf shop every single day — it was only like 50 feet from my house — just to look at the Zap boards. Back then, owning one felt impossible because I could never afford it. But hey… dreams came true a few years later. :)
ZAP: How long have you been skimming and what are some of your accomplishments you’re proud of over the years?
Mega: I started skimming when I was probably around 6 or 7 years old in my hometown of Sesimbra. My first skimboards were wooden boards made by my grandpa, who was a boat builder at the time.
Later on, I started competing and was able to travel around the world for contests, getting some good results in Europe and other places too. But honestly, I don’t think it’s all about results. It’s more about how you spread the stoke, connect with other skimboarders, and what you can give back to the sport.
What I’m most proud of is organizing skim competitions and camps for kids in Asia, Africa, Europe, the US, Brazil, and many other places over the years.
ZAP: How often are you able to get out and skim nowadays?
Mega: Not too much during the winter, except on weekends when I organize skim lessons for the kids. In the summer, when the kids are out of school, I run camps, so I get to skim a little more often. I still compete in the Masters division sometimes too, just to keep the stoke alive.
ZAP: How do you give back to the skim community these days?
Mega: I still organize summer skim camps for kids, and I represent Zap in Europe as well. I like sharing advice and experiences with people — whether it’s helping them choose the right board, giving tips during lessons, or recommending places to travel for good skim spots.
Whether it’s in Portugal or somewhere else around the world, I’m always happy to help grow the sport and share the stoke.
ZAP: What kind of advice would you give to up-and-coming skimmers who want to go pro?
Mega: Nowadays there’s talent everywhere. More and more skimmers are going pro, and the level is higher than it’s ever been before.
My advice is simple: keep it simple, stay humble, and be good to everyone around you. Skimboarding isn’t just about being the best pro rider. It’s about sharing waves, creating good memories, and giving back to the sport you love.
ZAP: Is there anything else you’d like to say or anyone you’d like to thank
Mega: I can’t finish this interview without saying thank you to Zap and the Smetts family. They’ve all been incredibly kind to me throughout all these years.
I’m truly proud and happy to be part of this family, and words honestly aren’t enough to describe how grateful I am. It was awesome getting to talk about Zap and skimboarding
