Why is surfing The Cave the most dangerous wave in Portugal? Why have so many people got hurt while surfing this wave? It's just a brutal wave unfolding on nearly dry reef.
Why do we keep coming back for it even though Antonio Silva has broken his back twice out there?
Because they love it. Another strike mission down to The Cave, it was absolutely firing - Nic Von Rupp
Ben Larg in the belly of the beast above.
Pedro Menezes (Brazil) wins the Men’s Division in the inaugural Alaïa Open Winter Cup in Sion, Switzerland. Maud Le Car takes the Women’s Division.
Sion, Switzerland – The snow and rain stayed away for most of the day for the final heats of the Alaïa Open Winter Cup. Not exactly balmy, it was still a beautiful and fresh day for the finals at the Alaïa Bay wavepool facility. It was the first event of this magnitude to be held at the wavepool, and probably the first surf tournament to be held while it snowed.
It was top action all the way on finals day, as the surfers fought out some fierce battles to be in the cash and prizes. The finals day featured progressive surfing, some big aerial moves, and speed, power and flow scoring high from the judges. The surfers were in top form, and were not hindered at all by the cold conditions, paddling hard and surfing fast to advance through their heats.
Jamie Veselko was victorious in the super-competitive Kids Division, beating Alejo Valedi and Fransisco into minor positions. In the Junior Division, Kai Odrozola took the win from Hans Odriozola and Axel Domingues.
Jamie Veselko was victorious in the super-competitive Kids Division, beating Alejo Valedi and Fransisco into minor positions. In the Junior Division, Kai Odrozola took the win from Hans Odriozola and Axel Domingues.
The Ladies Division was dominated by an experienced Maud Le Car, who beat dynamic Nadja Erostarbe Beiser into second and Lucia Martino into third place.
The Men’s Division saw the Brazilian contingent rise up for the win, with power surfer and big wave charger Pedro Menezes taking the win from fellow Brazilian Franklin Serpa. Justin Becret had a great day on the opening day at Alaïa Bay but had to settle for third place in the finals.
The Alaïa Open Winter Cup was deemed a huge success, and surfers were stoked to be involved and to be competing in a surf event in Switzerland. From all accounts, it was an incredible experience, at one of the most unique surfing locations in the world.
First-time visitors to Alaïa Bay and those surfers who had never experienced a wave pool before were impressed by the wave’s power and perfection. It was also a first to be surfing in the snow for many competitors. The event was hardcore and all about the surfers, just as the event organisers had promised.
Alaïa Bay founder, Adam Bonvin, was also very stoked. “We at Alaïa Bay are happy that this inaugural event was such a success and that the surfers had a great time competing on the waves of Alaïa Bay,” said Bonvin. “Next year’s tournament will be bigger and better.”
Final Results
Kids
Jamie Veselko (Portugal)
Alejo Valedi (Canary Islands)
Francisco Santos (Portugal)
Kamiel Deraeve (Belgium
Juniors
Kai Odrozola (Spain)
Hans Odriozola (Spain)
Axel Dominguez (France)
Francisco Ordonhas (Portugal)
Ladies
1. Maud Le Car (France)
2. Nadja Erostarbe Geiser (Spain)
3. Lucia Martino de la Arena (Spain)
4. Eveline Hooft (Germany)
Men
1. Pedro Menezes (Brazil)
2. Franklin Serpa (Brazil)
3. Justin Becret (France)
4.Hans Odriozola (Basque Country)
The Alaïa Open Winter Cup, in partnership with the Swiss Surfing Association, is supported by Tudor, Boardriders Alaïa Bay, Quiksilver, Mastercraft, Nidecker Snowboards, Wavegarden, Realfly, Audacia Group, Alpine Helicopters, Toyota Switzerland and Red Bull.
Heat scores can be reviewed via LiveHeats Here:
All the event information can be found Here:
To see the Alaa Bay waves, check out the webcam Here:
It was a hotly-contested opening day of surfing at the Alaïa Open Winter Cup.International and Swiss competitors were battling it out in the perfect surf that Alaïa Bay delivers.
Despite many of the competitors experiencing their first ‘snow surf’ session as light snow fell throughout most of the day, some incredible surfing and big scores were coming through. With US$75k in prizes and cash on the line, there was no holding back from anyone.
Air moves were getting good scores, and surfers could be seen boosting into the sky on both the lefts and the rights. Top rides consisted of two or three big moves on the outside and a complete air move on the inside. Heat winners were going to the airs on their first moves, and these surfers took the most risks.
In the Men’s division, Brazilian Michel Roque was performing the best, banking a score of 17.84 with some power surfing in round one. The goofy-footer was surfing tight and polished and scored an 8.77 for one of his earlier rides and then added an excellent 9.0 score to shut the door on his fellow competitors.
Other top surfers included Justin Becret from France, Hans Odriozola from Basque Country, and Lenni Jensen from Germany. South African surfer Mark Fessler and Australian powerhouse surfer and surfboard shaper Mark Phipps also competed. Unfortunately, both failed to post the big scores needed.
Nadje Erostarbe (Basque Country) was the top performer in the women’s division along with Maud Le Carr from France. Lucia Martino from Spain and Swiss surfer Rachel Bonhote-Mead were other stand-outs in this division.
Kai and Hans Odriozola (Spain) were the Junior Division stand-outs, and Jamie Veselko (Portugal) and Alejo Valido (Canary Islands) were on top of the leaderboard in the kid’s division.
“What an awesome day of surfing! We are incredibly stoked to be hosting this unique event at our facility,” said Alaïa Bay founder Adam Bonvin. “To have an event of this magnitude take place while the snow is falling must be a world-first, and the surfers have been performing incredibly today. We would like to wish the best of luck to all those surfers who are through to the final day tomorrow.”
Tonight is the big party at Alaïa Bay. Lunarts, the makers of WooMoon and StoryTellers – will present an eight-hour showcase direct from Ibiza with performers from the Cirque du Sommet and the Ibiza Magic directly from Cova Santa featuring Landikhan (Ibiza), Jo.Ke LIVE (Berlin), Raw Main (Paris), Wanduta LIVE (Paris) and Angie O (Ibiza) 5pm-2am!
The Alaïa Open Winter Cup, in partnership with the Swiss Surfing Association, is supported by Tudor, Boardriders Alaïa Bay, Quiksilver, Mastercraft, Nidecker Snowboards, Wavegarden, Realfly, Audacia Group, Alpine Helicopters, Toyota Switzerland and Red Bull.
Live heat scores can be viewed via LiveHeats https://www.liveheats.com/events/6885
Day one of the Alaïa Open Winter Cup © Alaïa Bay / Wolf Mike
Day one of the inaugural Alaïa Open Winter Cup has kicked off. Here are a few facts about the competition and the venue.
What Is It?
The Alaïa Open Winter Cup is the first large-scale surf tournament to take place at Alaïa Bay. With US$75k worth of prizes and cash, it has attracted a large field of entrants.
When Is It Happening?
This competition is taking place this weekend, 4/5 December. In a unique setting, with snow slopes in the background, there was light snow falling as the early heats hit the water. Some red-hot action already taking place in the early heats, though, with the fresh conditions doing nothing to dampen the excitement. Check out the webcam here – https://alaiabay.ch/webcam
Where Is It Happening?
Alaïa Bay is located in Sion, in the canton of Valais. It is known to be the sunniest place in the whole of Switzerland, with over 300 days of sun during an average year. It is central and easy to access by car or public transport, and the ski slopes are not far away.
Action from one of the earlier heats, on the left.
© Alaïa Bay/ Wolf Mike
Why Is It Taking Place?
The Alaïa Bay facility opened earlier this year and has been an enormous success, with thousands of Swiss and other visiting surfers flocking to the waves. This event will cement Alaïa Bay as one of the top wave pools in the world.
Who Is Competing?
Almost 150 surfers compete in this event, with men and women divisions. The divisions are: Open Men, Open Women, Swiss men, Swiss Women, Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Kid Boys, Kid Girls and Best Wipeout.
Best view spot in town, at the Alaïa Open Winter Cup © Alaïa Bay/ Wolf Mike
What Else?
Tonight, Saturday 4 December, Alaïa Bay will host a Saturday Evening Party, and it looks to be a big one. Lunarts, the makers of WooMoon & StoryTellers – will present an eight-hour showcase direct from Ibiza with performers from the Cirque du Sommet and the Ibiza Magic directly from Cova Santa featuring Landikhan (Ibiza), Jo.Ke LIVE (Berlin), Raw Main (Paris), Wanduta LIVE (Paris) and Angie O (Ibiza) 5pm-2am!
Mason Ho goes surfing behind his house on the North Shore of Oahu and gets some fun waves! He is using a 6ft 7inch surfboard this time. His usual surfboard size is 5ft 8 inches.
Surprise appearances by his sister Coco Ho and Chris Ward.
Surfers: Mason Ho, Coco Ho, Chris Ward and Kainalu McCormick.
Filming: Rory Pringle.
Jams: Santana. Mom collection.
Rocky Point. Photo Manu Miguelez
As we all know Fuerteventura is one of the Europes most popular surf destinations but a new plan to build a harbour for cruise ships is threatening the future of several of the go to waves and the local ecology. The development could affect Lobos, Harbour Left and Rocky Point.
Can not be serious.
Locals are organising protests and Manu Miguelez has set up a petition we need you to sign to help them here
Rockys and Harbour Left are go to waves in many cases and the whole area is vital for small local businesses reliant on tourism revenue.
“The expansion of the Corralejo dock will lead to the direct disappearance of two well-known and appreciated spots Punta Elena and El Muelle, and it is very likely that it will have a very serious impact on the wave of Lobos, the second longest right of Europe.
“The project for the new port of Corralejo threatens to destroy the already fragile balance of the area by multiplying maritime traffic, adding noise, chemical and waste pollution to an already over-exploited area and above all devaluing what is most beautiful, our biodiversity.
“It puts at risk multiple sports areas for the practice of surfing, an activity that generates profit at the labour level in the local community.
“The development for which our islands must bet is one that is responsible with the environment, sustainable in the long term, maintaining the Canarian culture and tradition and all its incentives.
“Let’s promote ecotourism, the discovery of our nature to the world, protecting it for posterity.
#NOALPUERTODECORRALEJO
The time has come when all of us, united, have to stop this monstrous project.”
