The Billabong Pro returns to mythic barrels of Mundaka
Billabong Pro Mundaka
ASP World Tour event #9
Mundaka, Basque Country
29 September - 12 October 2008The Billabong Pro returns to Europe’s mythical Mundaka rivermouth
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 12 August, 2008 : - - - Mundaka has become a reference in worldwide surfing for its mythical rivermouth left-hander located at the opening of the river of Gernika and the North Atlantic Ocean. Since the inaugural event in 1999, surfing legends from all over the world have come over to surf this mythical wave, renowned for its long and hollow waves.
However, the wave of Mundaka is also known for its fickle conditions. This was made evident with the absence of a workable sandbar, reason for the cancellation of the event in 2005. According to the latest studies and the comments of the surfing locals, the barrels of Mundaka are in perfect condition.
This year, Billabong will set up an alternate site on the beach of Sopelana, a place that offers fantastic waves. The site is only a few car-minutes away from the center of Bilbao. The decision to surf either at Mundaka or Sopelana will be taken on a daily basis by the contest director, after assessing the conditions in both sites with the surfers and the ASP officials.
The Billabong Pro Mundaka plays a crucial part in deciding world champions. Being the third last event on the 11 stop tour intense competition ensues as tour leaders jostle for rating points leading into the final two events of the year in Brazil and Hawaii.
Bobby Martinez (USA) will be back to try to make it 3 wins in a row at Mundaka along with prestigious names such as Joel Parkinson (Australia), Taj Burrow (Australia), 07 World Champ Mick Fanning (Australia) and current tour leader Kelly Slater (USA).
Alongside the 45 world´s best surfers, three “Wild Card” surfers have also been invited to compete in the Billabong Pro Mundaka: surfing legend Marc “Occy” Occylupo (Australia ), local charger Hodei Collazo (Basque Country) and rising star Marcos San Segundo (Basque Country).
More information about rankings, surfer profiles and the tour can be found on aspworldtour.com.
The opening of the Billabong Pro Mundaka sees a truly traditional show with dances and music. At the start and end of the competition, surfers and officials will be greeted by the Aurresku, an honorific and traditional dance, and the 2008 winner will be carried by the local surf club members to be thrown in the port.
Winners always accept their trophy wearing a wetsuit and a newly-won Txapela (a traditional large hat)! That is the price to pay to have your name carved in the white stone of the perpetual Billabong Pro trophy. The Billabong Pro Mundaka is supported by Euskaltel, Kustom, Von Zipper, Nixon, Yamaha and Cobra Jetski, as well as the villages of Mundaka and Sopelana with their respective Surf Clubs and the EHSF.
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