Riptide Magazine

A Kat Loose in the Canaries - Fronton Pro - Day Eight

Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 22:11

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Tuesday Dec 13th - History, heroics, heartbreak and happy birthdays
There are really only so many words I could use to try to describe today’s monumental events and, to be honest, they’re not going to come close to replicating the feeling pulsing through the crowd above Fronton all day today.

It was initially touch and go at the midday check-in as to whether the comp would run at all. Were the waves rideable? Was it too dangerous? After a meeting and discussion, the riders and organisers concurred that today would be the day. And so it was that Jason Finlay and Dallas Singer found themselves thrown in the deep end, truly the guinea pigs in this ocean experiment. It was a tough arena, but Jase looked strangely comfortable, despite freefalling to a heavy wipeout midway through the heat. A sign of things to come.

By just the fourth heat of the day, the last of the quarter finals, a tension had gripped the crowd as PLC and Jared Houston hit the water to decide who would be World Champ for 2011. It was a slow heat, low to mid scores, Hubb on the edge of his seat and you could cut the air with a knife. Then a wave appeared. PLC was in the spot and taking off on the wedge, set his line. He disappeared and the wave heaved, pinched, then opened again. And seconds later the Frenchman came flying out, his fist raised. It was a wave fitting to bring him victory and nobody could dispute the emphatic win worthy of the title. And so a new world champ was crowned.

However it was not to be entirely his contest, and the last two men standing were equally as impressive as one another all day. Unfortunately Mitch’s birthday luck ran out in the final. After riding some of the biggest and heaviest contest waves of recent history between the two of them, it was Jase who surfed supremely, taking the win by just over a point and in doing so becoming the first wildcard entrant to take a Grand Slam Title. Congratulations brother, you well and truly earned it!

Massive shout outs must go to Jeff for being truly gracious in defeat, to Andy Lester for making it happen all the way from the trials to semis, and to Ryan who, after losing out yesterday, proceeded to spend the whole afternoon in the water caddying for the remaining Australians. What a champ…

Speaking of champs… Congratulations Pierre!

So that’s the IBA tour for 2011. Keep an eye on their site over the next couple of days for more goodies and check back in here for some more bloggin from this travelling kat over the coming days…

Hasta luego RT peeps!


8 foot waves running along dry reef… Keen?


Questions and answers. The top 8 decide.


Just a couple of decent sized lumps.


Moz had some mojo going, but it wasn’t enough to get past Lester. Scooping into a bomb.


The words perfect and unrideable come together on one wave.



Jase’ combination of consistent big barrels and boosts were a joy to watch, well and truly earning him his first major win. Nice work brother!




The slab that won a world title. PLC scoops his way to victory and gets a champagne spray from the boys for his troubles. Congratulations!

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