A great spectacle in the cliffs of El Bocal (Santander) due to the big wave surfing of La Vaca Gigante By Oakley, organized by ObssesionA2 Club. Despite the last injuries of great figures, the national and international riders have challenged La Vaca Gigante which has reached 7 meters.
The Basque rider Natxo Gonzalez and the French rider Justine Dupont tame La Vaca Gigante By Oakley.
10.000 people have came to the cliffs of El Bocal to enjoy a spectacle that has crossed borders, La Vaca Gigante By Oakley.
Cover photography: Marián Piñán
La Vaca Gigante By Oakley has strongly mooed. The big wave surfing event has not dissapointed and has showed the power of the Cantabrian wave to the brave riders who have come to challenge the extreme surfing of the waves
For the first time, an European event has invited female riders to participate in a big wave surfing competition. The Cantabrian event has been the first one to count with a division for female riders.
The winners of the 2017 edition of La Vaca Gigante have been: the Basque male rider Natxo Gonzalex and the French female rider Justine Dupont.
Natxo Gonzalex is the first Spanish rider who has been classified for the World Surf League, and the French rider Justine dupont is the second position of the world’s top big wave surfing.
Natxo González. Photographer: Sergio García
The day started with powerful waves of 7-meters high. The Basque has been the only one among the 36 male riders who have participated, obtaining the highest score (10 points), and also 8,67 and 9,53.
The second rider classified has been the Basque Indar Inaue who has scored 2 points less than the winner. The Italian rider Alessandro Piu has reached the third position.
Among the female riders, the French rider, world’s winner, Justin Dupont has had no rivals, showing great persistence. It should be outlined the role of the Cantabrian rider Mirka Solar who has reached the second position, above the Portuguese Joana Andrade.
Natxo gonzalez, winner of La Vaca Gigante By Oakley, have showed his excitement due to the triumph:
“Actually, it has been incredible. Today, it has been my first time in La Vaca Gigante by Oakley and it has felt like home. I think that La Vaca has a great potential as a competition and as a wave, at global level. I have entered the water with no references, but I rode three excellent waves. What’s more, the feeling that all the participants have had in the water and among us have been incredible”
“ If I have to highlight something from La Vaca Gigante, it is, with no doubt, the quantity of fans that I have seen. I have been very surprised. I tourned my head to the shore when I was in the water and I just saw people in the cliffs. I am very thankful”.
Ranking
Male:
1. Natxo Gonzalez (Basque Country)
2. Indar Unanue (Basque Country)
3. Alessandro Piu (Italy)
Female:
1. Justine Dupont (France)
2. Mirka Martin (Cantabria)
3. Joana Andrade (Portugal)
Best Wipe Out:
Pilou Ducalme (France)
Biggest wave: Dylan Cotton (USA)
Best Cantabrian rider: Juan Merodio
Justine Dupont. Photographer: Sergio García