A new day, a new discipline in Fuerteventura as Surf-Freestyle breaks new ground with first-time moves and first-time tour riders
GWA Wingfoil World Cup Fuerteventura
19—24 July, 2024 | Playa de Sotavento
Everyone was talking about it. Would the super young, progressive riders who sent it at the GWA Youth Wingfoil Worlds in June shutout the veterans here in Fuerteventura? If the Surf-Freestyle rounds were any indication, the answer is, so far, maybe.
In some serious upsets, teenagers Axel Gerard (FRA) and Nathan Berger (ESP) had a battle for the ages that ended up with Gerard’s crazy high heat total of 26.41 from a possible 30. The lead flip flopped until one of the Frenchman’s high-flying Frontside 1080s closed the deal.
Teen extreme
The women kicked off the event with monster progression by veteran riders, however, including Mar de Arce (ESP). She lit up the second heat of the day with a clear and clean front flip, which, according to judges, was the first time the innovative trick was landed clean in women’s competition.
But De Arce, who was one of the first to qualify for the semi final round, will be seeing some new faces on finals day.
It was the Guadeloupe youngsters, 13-year-old Enoha Laurent and 15-year-old Manon Dupé who punched their tickets to the penultimate stage of the event knocking out some solid competition along the way.
Smooth, confident and creative, Laurent had multiple innovative moves to climb the ranks, including landing a Toeside Frontside 360, a first in woman’s competition.
“I’m pretty prepared with my tricks but it will be tricky against Mar [de Arce] and Orane [Ceris],” said Laurent who has been coached by Ceris at the event. “I’m a little nervous but once in the water the pressure goes down and I focus on the tricks. I will give everything to beat them and get my place in the final.”
Apex riders
Despite the impressive moves of the youngest riders in the event, the best was saved for last. Tour leaders Nia Suardiaz (ESP) and Christopher MacDonald (USA) are poised to clinch the world Surf-Freestyle title if they win in Fuerteventura, and they weren’t going to let the 30-knots winds and perfect launch ramps go to waste.
Suardiaz and MacDonald showed that they were still the apex freestylers on the planet. They stole the crown from the kids for the highest heat totals and trick scores in the final heats of the day and left an already fired up crowd cheering for more.
MacDonald ended up with a mind-blowing 9.5, 9.0, 9.27 scoreline eclipsing Gerard’s previous high tally of the day. There were no innovations in his run, just flawlessly executed and explosive back mobe 360 handle passes, perfect 1080 spin, and combination front and backflips.
Suardiaz took her turn at innovative tricks landing a super clean, and elevated tack to backflip on her way to a massive 25.27 heat score, securing her spot in the semi finals.
Veterans Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA) and Malo Guénolé (FRA) who both dominated their heats in the men’s division are uncorking giant moves and, like Ceris and De Arce, are a major threat for the event win.
Suardiaz and MacDonald still have a shot for the Surf-Freestyle world title on Tuesday, but if the younger riders keep cranking out brand new, full-send tricks, this wild ride of innovation won’t stop until the final heat and nobody knows, yet, who will be left standing.
words: GWA Media
images: Svetlana Romantsova
Spot Info: Playa de Sotavento, Fuerteventura
Weather
The weather in Fuerteventura, Spain, during July, ranges around 25-30C with sunrise around 07:15 and sunset at 21:00.
Wind and water
July is a great month for wind in Fuerteventura. The wind regularly blows 20-25+ knots, coming from the north/north-east, which blows side offshore at Sotavento. The water is choppy with occasional kickers rolling in with the swell. Water temperature is 23-24C, so bring a shorty or summer wetsuit.
