When I paddled for that wave, I never thought that could happen.

We had been surfing Mundaka with much more dangerous conditions for weeks. January 2nd was a smaller day and it was very slow, but there were a few perfect waves.

I jumped in the water and waited about an hour until a wave of about four feet arrived. It was a bomb, a shaky wave, but not much different from the thousands of waves I've caught there in the last 25 years.

I got a lot of speed because the section was growing, entered the tube and suddenly the foamball took the board off my feet as if it made me trip. I remembering being sent flying to the bottom and suddenly feeling a strong blow to the head. I do not remember much more. It was like when you turn off the television. My head went out.

Seconds later, I woke up under the water. I tried to give several strokes to reach the surface and breathe, but I realized that my arms and legs did not respond. I literally thought I was going to drown. Luckily, I was wearing a very thick suit and floated to the surface.

I lost control again and lost my sight. I was blind and could barely move my body. I cannot believe how close I was to death.

Fortunately, a friend was very close and saw me floating. Iñigo, along with other friends like Gaizka, Eukeni, Natxo and Nando saved my life. They pushed me to the edge and called an ambulance. I gradually regained my sight and mobility. The moment I got ashore, I thought it was over. I was taken straight to the hospital.