Victor Bernardo and Album Are a Match Made in Surfboard Heaven (Video)

Victor once showed promise in the WSL Pro Juniors and Qualifying Series events, but it’s hard to stand out in that crowd and venues that don't always inspire one’s best surfing. In his two Challenger Series contests in 2021, he finished equal 49th in both. 

“I think once he was free from the constraints of that approach and what’s expected of you in that world, and he was free to express himself how we all see and enjoy him now,” Matt said. “You see him bloom into an amazing surfer.”

In the four years Victor has been on-board with Album, which has long been on the cutting edge of “alternative” designs, his surfing has gone from good to great. As Matt explains in the video, there’s a harmony between Victor, the wave, and any of the quads to twins to keels in his quiver. 

“He doesn’t take anything for granted, or any board for granted,” Matt said. “So any time I make him something new, he always takes the time to understand it and to see what I had intended with the designs, and understand what kind of wave it might work for. He’s super thoughtful about that. And I think you see that in his surfing and his unique ability to jump on a huge range of boards.”

This video contains plenty of the explosive frontside surfing that has elevated Victor’s profile, but it also contains a series of backhand barrels and snaps that we haven’t seen as much. Rest assured, the style goes both ways. And folks are taking notice.

“It’s really fun to watch other people in the lineup,” Matt said. “They’ll paddle up and go, 'Who is that?’”