World Surf League Championship Tour opening day

Surf conditions preceded the event hailed as “Epic” by reigning women´s champ Caitlin Simmers, who could hardly wait for the pre-event presser to be over so she could jump in the water, declaring that Supertubes is one of her favourite waves. Former world champion Italo Ferreira, who is currently leading the tour for the men’s division, had to be called out of the water to attend the presser and joined, still dripping from the surf. “I have many good memories here,” stated the Brazilian. “I won this event twice and was always well received by the locals and the good waves. I am coming to this event after a win in the last CT event, which gives me confidence going forward.”

The weekend waves allowed the event organizers to complete the opening and elimination rounds for the men´s division, seeing outstanding performances from Italo Ferreira (BRA), Barron Mamiya (HAW), Griffin Colapinto (USA), Ethan Ewing (AUS) and Kanoa Igarashi (JAP). Unfortunately for the Portuguese fans, Frederico Morais, who was awarded a wild card invitation after being dropped off the CT mid-last year and suffering an injury last December, was eliminated in the early rounds.

In the Women´s division, Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Gabriela Bryan (HAW) excelled in the early rounds and secured their place in the upcoming quarter-finals. Also to secure a place in the quarter-final is Johanne Defay (FRA), who made headlines by competing in the event while four months pregnant. The Portuguese wild card, Yolanda Hopkins, survived the elimination round but lost to the leader of the pack, Caitlin Simmers, in the round of 16.

The weekend in Peniche also included hard partying by surf fans in the different bars and surf shops around Peniche and an official party Saturday night with former three-time world champion Gabriel Medina popping by for a quick hello. Medina, who is not competing due to injury, graced the event with his presence and was enthusiastically welcomed by the many surf fans visiting Peniche for the competition.

The weekend in Peniche also included hard partying by surf fans in the different bars and surf shops around Peniche and an official party Saturday night with former three-time world champion Gabriel Medina popping by for a quick hello. Medina, who is not competing due to injury, graced the event with his presence and was enthusiastically welcomed by the many surf fans visiting Peniche for the competition.

The first days of the coming week are expected to have good surf conditions, and all eyes are on the yellow jerseys, Italo and Caitlin, to see if they can secure a win in Supertubes yet again.

With a passion for surfing and writing, Yariv Kav moved to Portugal´s wave capital from his native Israel. He was awarded a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manchester back when Oasis was still cool, and a diploma with distinction from the London School of Journalism in Feature and Freelance Writing. Loves travel, languages and human stories.

Yariv Kav