Sopelana turns on great conditions for day 1
posted by Terry McKenna on 21st August 2008
It's traditionally been the most popular leg of the IBA International Tour with a trio of back-to-back events in the old country attracting the cream of World Bodyboarding.
Current ratings leader Uri Valadao from Brazil was looking relaxed and eager to hold his lead over fellow countryman Guilherme Tamega.
Looking highly focused whilst heading for a practice session he commented, "I am looking forward to these contests in Europe. It's similar to Brazil so I am comfortable with the conditions."
Current World Champion Ben Player (Australia) is now sitting in forth position after being eliminated early in the Chile event.
After two high rating events at quality venues it will take a shift in both mental and technical approach to adjust to the smaller beach break conditions.
"I grew up at Avalon surfing small waves like this every summer and to tell you the truth it doesn't bother me. I think that having a variety of conditions on the WMT means that the guy that wins it is a truly rounded competitor."
"I have a bit more pressure on me to do well in these events but overall the dark-horse in the title race this year is Hawaiian Jeff Hubbard."
"He is positioned well with two second placings in the two biggest events of the year. It's these results that really count when the dust settles towards the end of the championship" said Player.
Mike Stewart is also back in Europe and says that adjusting from ten-foot bombs in Chile to 2 feet beach-breaks in Spain is all about attitude.
"Sure I might be riding wider boards but the real change comes with how you approach the conditions mentally. I even skipped a few days when the surf was pumping because I didn't want to get used to good waves when I knew I would be surfing small stuff" said Stewart.
Others to look out for in Sopelana include former World Champion Guilherme Tamega (Brazil) and Mark McCarthy (South Africa) along with Pierre Louis Costes (France).
Local wildcards David Perez, Antonio Ortiz, Alex Sabastian & Aritz Lariaga
The waves at Sopelana Beach were 3 feet well shaped and pretty clean today, and it seems that there will be some fun waves for the duration of the contest window.
The Sopelana BBK Pro is made possible by Coca-Cola, Arin, ElCorreo, Seland Beach, DEIA, Surfers Rule & www.onlybodyboard.com
www.ibatour.com
www.sopelanabbkpro.com 1336 views
Comments
