The inaugural William Aliotti Twin Fin Invitational was held in pumping four to six-foot waves in Seignosse, France, on 23 and 24 October. The speciality event featured 28 of the best free surfers from around the world riding an eclectic collection of twin-fins and fishes. After two days of epic barrels, high-line carves and fin slides, Victor Bernardo (Brazil) and Ainara Aymat (Basque Country) were voted the overall winners by their peers.

“It was super different to any other event I’ve done in my life. I’m so stoked to win this,” said an emotional Bernardo after the winners were announced. “It was amazing to see so many talented surfers just having fun. Congratulations to everyone, especially to William for putting this event on.”

Unlike traditional contest formats, each surfer got to surf three heats a day in a mixed heat format featuring men and women, after which surfers and videographers voted for an overall winner based on a video recap of the day. There were no points, and competitors were encouraged to swap boards and try out different shapes. The only rules were that surfboards had to have a tail measuring 19.5 inches or wider to be eligible, and only twin-fins were allowed. The judging criteria was simple: riders were judged based on flow, style, and innovative moves – of which there were plenty.

Chippa Wilson and William Aliotti wowed the crowd with searing power carves and funky airs, while surfers like Jaleesa Vincent and Tosh Tudor put on a tube-riding clinic in the bowling lefts and rights. Local surfer Vincent Duvignac was the dark horse of the event, while Ozzie Wright and Asher Pacey cemented their icon status as OG twin-fin surfers with hallmark performances.

In the end it was Bernardo’s effortless steez combined with deep power carves and radical approach that saw him win the men’s division, while Ayinara Aymat styled her way to first place in the women’s. Both winners received an equal €5 000 prize purse.

The event was capped off with a screening of all the best rides, which turned into a frenzy of competitors hooting and cheering for each other as the winners were decided.

“We’re like a family and I wanted to create something special with these surfers, because we all love the same thing,” said Aliotti. “No crazy hype –  just good vibes, great waves, and the best free surfers in the world doing what they love.”


Invited surfers:
William Aliotti, Brendon Gibbens, Ozzy Wright, Sam Piter, Asher Pacey, Eric Geiselman, Mckenzie Bowden, Noah Collins, Chippa Wilson, Kobe Hughes, Tosh Tudor, Jaleesa Vincent, Luke Cederman, Miguel Blanco, Maud le Car, Andre Mendiguren, Kepa Acero, Victoria Vergara, Ainara Aymat, Vincent Duvignac, Brittany Penaroza, Adrien Toyon, Gony Zubizarreta, Tom Morat, Nathan Sadoun, Brinkley Davies, Juliette Lacome, Victor Bernardo
Photos: @the_twinfin_invitational