Translation: Heido Sundstrom
The first date of the ASP World Qualifying Longboard Series will take place for the fifth consecutive year in a row at El Elio Trujillo beach in Huanchaco, Peru on February 12th – 14th, 2014 and will be giving away $12,500 dollars in prizes. In previous editions, the Brazilians have clearly dominated and the only Peruvian competitor that has fought back hard enough to win has been Piccolo Clemente. This year, the event will also be the first date of the Women’s category, which will award $2,500 in prizes.
HISTORY OF HUANCHACO
Huanchaco is considered the birthplace of surfing in Peru. It is believed that approximately 3,000 years ago, ancient fishermen navigated the waves with canoes called “Totora Horses”, which still exist to this day. The Peruvian government recently approved a national law to protect ocean breaks for surfers and created the Promotion Commission of Peru for Exportation and Tourism with the intention of converting the country into a “Surfer’s Paradise”.
Huanchaco is the fifth beach elected and protected as a World Surfing Reserve under the “Save the Waves Coalition”. Last October, the spot met the necessary criteria to join this short list of the best places in the world to surf, as it has the quality and wave consistency, the unique environmental characteristics, surfing culture and history, as well as the support of the local community. Before Huanchaco, the only beaches with the seal of the “World Surfing Reserve” included the beaches of Malibu and Santa Cruz in California, Ericeira in Portugal and Manly Beach in Australia.
HUANCHACO LONGBOARD PRO CHAMPIONS
2014 – TBD
2013 – Sphaier Rodrigo (BRA)
2012 – Jeferson da Silva (BRA)
2011 – Piccolo Clemente (PER)
2010 – Sphaier Rodrigo (BRA)
2009 – Andre Luiz Deca (BRA)
Translation: Heido Sundstrom
This new project, envisioned by longtime contest commentator, Joe Estrada, was born out of the need to improve, raise the level, teach and train the surfing community in Acapulco.
For Surfers:
The categories will include (to be confirmed): Men’s Under 16 Shortboard and Men’s Under 20 Shortboard, as well as Women’s Under 20 Shortboard, Longboard, and most likely Paddleboarding. Each category will be ranked in each tournament-clinic that is intended to take place every fifteen days.
Trainers, Ernesto Trujillo, Victor Perez, and Fernando Garcia will coach teams among others that will join the project with the intention of teaching the participants how to compete.
For Judges:
This training is open to any surfer who wants to learn the basics alongside certified judges. Includes: scoring, beach judging, etc.
For Commentators:
Includes the official rules of announcing an event.
This project will begin on Sunday, January 26th, 2014 at Playa Alfredo V. Bonfil in Acapulco, Guerrero (as the wave conditions are expected to be favorable).
The event will include the following categories:
- Women’s Shortboard (All Ages)
- Men’s Under 20 Shortboard
Participation Requirements:
Minors – a signed permission slip to authorize event participation.
Registration must be completed the Saturday prior to the event by way of the event’s Facebook page: SURFING ACAPULCO. It can also be made with Victor at the Bonfil Surfshop, or with Micha at Playa Revolcadero.
The participants of the inaugural tournament–clinic, must arrive at 7:00 a.m. at Playa Bonfil in front of the Bonfil Surfshop, as there will be a meeting to go over the mechanics of the competition and the work of the participants.
Wave Report for Sunday, January 26th, 2014:
6:00 a.m. 2 – 3 ft. 21s
12:00 p.m. 2 – 4 ft. 20s
6:00 p.m. 2 – 4 ft 19s
Remember to stay tuned to the updates posted on the event’s facebook page: SURFING ACAPULCO to receive information about the competition and the requirements needed to participate.
