RIDERS WHO FACED LA VACA GIGANTE BY OAKLEY 2016

Even though the big wave surfing discipline unfits for the majority of the surfers due to its characteristics – “La Vaca Gigante” wave must be between 6 and 7 meters high to be able to compete– ObsessionA2 Club have recieved applications from great stars from New Zeland, United States, France, Portugal, Hawaii, Mexico, Ireland.

Among the participants’ organization chart, La Vaca Gigante does not forget the Cantabrian participants and it offers a large number of invitations for the local surfers who, moreover, know a lot about this wave conditions.

La Vaca Gigante will increase the amount of participants from 32 surfers who took part in the past edition, to 52 surfers who will challenge the Cantabrian wave.

LA VACA GIGANTE BY OAKLEY PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE BIG WAVE SURFING PROMISES

La Vaca Gigante has launched, during the summer of 2016, an online contest through its social networks to those who are not leading figures of big wave surfing but want an opportunity to ride one of the biggest wave of the Spanish coast.

“La Vaca Gigante” would like to continue increasing the participation of young surfers seeking for big waves; and in this edition we invite them to try it as we count with more security composed of personal watercrafts ensuring their safety, something impossible when it comes to free surfing”.
“La Vaca Gigante would like to keep being a benchmark at international level but always giving options to the Young squads and improving the local level, which already increases in our spot with many young surfers”; La Vaca Gigante riders’ Responsible highlights “ We know that there are many beasts who will be great big waves surfers. The event has an unbelievable repercussion; we know that the fact of having this competition in Santander and Cantabria is something very appealing for surfers worldwide; we know that it will happen, it is just a matter of time”.

La Vaca Gigante by Oakley has invited competitors from everywhere who have been classified into the following three categories: international riders, national riders and riders from Cantabria.

Riders list

Aaron Rodríguez

Country: Spain (Canarias)
Birthdate: 25/12/1983

Aaron is a Canary promise of the Canary Circuit in which he usually participates; he likes to highlight his most important waves in flagship spots such as Puerto Escondido (Mexico), G-land, Padang-Padang, Uluwatu (Asia), California, Portugal, France, not forgetting this rides in Pta. Galea and Mundaka.

Adur Letamendia

Country: Spain (Basque Country)
Birthdate: 22/12/1982

The Basque has taken part in different competitions of the WSL– Big Wave World Tour (Peru) or Punta Galea’s Challenge in 2014. Great connoisseur of La Vaca Gigante as he has already participated in few editions.

Other achievements of the Basque rider are his participation in the World Surf League’s 2014 Billabong Pico Alto surf competition and the ASP Big Wave Tour in Nelscott Reef (Oregon, USA)

Sponsor: Pukas

Ajan Olavarri

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 04/05/1976

The Cantabrian has participated in different Pro- junior competitions and in the EPSA Circuit, as well as being the Junior Regional Winner in 1994.

Sponsors: Escuela Cantabra de Surf y Oakley –Local Hero-

Ale Morales

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 30/07/1984

Morales already knows what is like to face #LavacaXXL and 7 meters high bombs under the pressure of the competition as he participated in the last edition.

Alessandro Piu

Country: Spain (Cerdeña)
Birthdate: 22/06/1989

The most famous Italian surfer is coming very strong to #Santander. The Sardinian surfer has carried out different participations in Lacanau Pro WSL, Pantin Classic WSL , World Games ISA USA, World Games ISA BRASIL o el Dream Tour Indonesia Keramas.

Sponsors: ION , North Sails, MAUIJIM , Creature , Surftolive.com , Wipeoutboardshop , Pure surfcamps

Alex Zirke

Country: Spain (Canarias)
Birthday: 17/03/1986

The Canary, winner of La Vaca Gigante 2015 which was his first Competition, and invited to the WSL’s Punta Galea Challenge surf competition; comes back to Cantabria to face #LavacaXXL

Sponsors: Quiksilver, Puresurfcamps, La Santa Surfboards, Cliff Bar, Seventyone Percent, Green Wave Tenerife.

Álvaro Cotera

Country: Spain (Cantabria)

Alvaro is one of the Cantabrian big riders that returns to La Vaca Gigante after his experience in 2015.

Sponsors: Jalaika y Malacoria

Andrew Cotton

Country: Great Britain
Birthdate: 24/08/1979

It is said that he was seeking for a wave that he saw in open sea during five years… and, finally, he found it. Garret NcNamara’s partner when he broke the record riding the biggest wave ever ridden. Currently, he is focus on the rogue wave in Nazare (Portugal). In 2014 he was in the final round of the WSL Biggest Wave surf competition.

Sponsors: Redbull, JEEP, Sharps brewery, tiki, Saltrock, Sungod , dryrobe

Asier Puntiverio

Country: Spain (Basque Country)
Birthdate: 13/04/1993

Aritz Aramburu

Country: Spain (Basque Country)
Birthdate: 30/08/1985

What can we say about the Basque rider; he is one of the best professionals in Europe and the first Spanish to score in the WSL.

Aritz has been during three years in the world’s top 32 of professional surfing. He also has taken part in the WSL Circuit in competitions such as the Big Wave World Tour– 2 editions in the Galea’s competition–, in the Prime Circuit, and during 10 years in the Junior Circuit; in addition to one Continental Title.

Sponsors: Quiksilver, Volkswagen, Arnette, Corona, Pukas, GoPro, Tag Heuer, Air Europa

Asier Muniain

Country: Spain (Basque Country)
Birthdate: 02/01/1982

Professional big rider known as “L’enfant terrible del surf”. First professional “Free Surfer” at national level and professional “ Wave Rider” at European level.

Ten years hunting the worst Atlantic storms surfing amazing waves and other ones that were thought as impossible; from the Basque Country’s coast to countries such as Ireland, Australia or Morocco among others.

First surfer worldwide to paddle into Belharra’s wave, described by many experts as impossible to catch swimming.

Sponsors: O’Neill, Carver Skateboards, Pukas, BATBasqueTeam, SLRescue, AZTI tecna & swell-forecast.com

Benjamin Sanchis

Country: France

One of the great world’s leading figures of big wave surfing. Winner of the Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award in 2011 riding a wave which was at least 18 meters high. He has been one of the only surfers that have ridden the famous Teahuppo’s wave in 2011.

On January 9th, 2015, the French Benjamin Sanchis broke a new Guinness Record replacing Garret McNamara’s due to his performance in Nazaré (Portugal) riding a wave was at least 33 meters high.

Carlos Alberto Meana

County: Spain (Asturias)
Birthdate: 07/07/1981

Meana is a known Asturian big rider that we had the opportunity to know in the past edition of La Vaca Gigante in 2015.

Sponsor: Hippytree

Dani Pablos

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 06/01/1973

The Cantabrian is one of the only surfers that could confirm having participated in all the editions of La Vaca Gigante.

Sponsors: Rockstar, O&E.

David Echagüe

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 1973

Easily recognizable by his smile, “Petín” is one of the best known locals and we must highlight his participation in Santa Marina Gigante, la Vaca Gigante, EPSA Circuit and Ballantines Circuit.

David Vilayta

Country: Spain (Canarias)
Birthdate: 25/07/1975

From Tenerife, he combines his huge passion for big waves with the SUP where he also has a great career. Vilayta was one of the nominees for the prestigious Billabong XXL in 2007.

Sponsors: Starboard, Ocean & Earth, Health & Sport, SeventyOne Percent, La Santa surf, Ocean sunglasses

Dylan Cotton

Country: USA
Birthdate: 11/03/1998

Despite the fact that Dylan is the youngest rider of this edition of La Vaca Gigante by Oakley – 18 years old– the big wave surfing experience of this professional surfer is amazing.

Sponsors: Labreau Surfboards, Surfside Sports, Naked Viking Surf

Fernando Riego

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 1982

The Cantabrian surfer has shown all his potential in local competitions such as Santa Marina Gigante or La Vaca Gigante

Sponsor: Ahausurfboards

Gautier Garanx

Country: France
Birthdate: 26/09/1976

The great French big rider is the winner of the Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award in 2014.

Sponsors: REEF, O’NEILL Wetsuit, NIXON, FIREWIRE surfboard PUKAS,FCS, EQ sun screen

Iker Muñoz

Country: Spain (Basque Country)
Birthdate: 02/04/1986

The Basque big rider had in 2012 one of his best seasons, reaching the final round of the Mundaka Basque Surf Circuit in 2012.

Sponsors: surflogic, Zurriola surf eskola, lines surfboard

Indar Unanue

Country: Spain (Basque Country)
Birthdate: 08/10/1987

Indar has participated in the World Surf League’s 2015 Punta Galea Challenge surf competition.

Sponsors: Rip Curl, Vans, Arnette, Venon-surfboards, Prolitte.

Jacobo Rodríguez

Country: Spain (Asturias)
Birthdate: 05/09/1971

Jacobo has participated in the last edition of La Vaca Gigante

Sponsors: ION, Na surfboards, Flow, Leyna fins

Joao Macedo

Country: Portugal
Birthdate: 01/07/1977

The portuguese can boast about placing himself in the Olympus of big wave surfing, having participated in the Big Wave World Tour during three seasons and having been in the world’s top 5 of the Professional Circuit in 2012-2013.

Sponsors: JANGA Wetsuits, FCS, ORG Surfboards, Xino Glass

Juan Díaz-Terán

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 08/12/1993

The Cantabrian rider has taken part in different international contests such as the ISA World and European Surfing Games as well as the World Junior Surfing Circuit and the National Circuit.

Juan is other rider who knows #LavacaXXL very well having participated in the 2015 edition.

Luis García

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 03/09/1975

Luis already know what participating in #LavacaXXL means and he goes all out in this edition.

Luis Rodríguez

Country: Spain (Galicia)
Birthdate: 12/04/1984

The Galician rider is the runner-up of the ISA World’s Cup celebrated in Ecuador and also he has participated in Punta Galea’s Challenge where he won the award for the best Wipeout.

Sponsors: WAT SAY , CREATURES OF LEISURE,SELAND,LIIVE VISION, FEATHER FINS , HOLA OLA SURF SHOP

Miguel Welsh

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 18/03/1992

Known as “Welsh”, he is one of the classic big riders in Cantabria. His participation in the last edition of La Vaca Gigante did not go wrong as he was the first Cantabrian classified of the general round.

We know that in this edition, he is goes all out.

Sponsors: Escuela Cántabra de Surf, Oakley, HealthandSport

Natxo González

Country: Spain (Basque Country)
Birthdate: 20/09/1995

The “persecutor of storms”. From Plentzia, he has been one of the best junior surfers in Spain and he can perfectly combine a very polished surfing technique with big waves. Among the contests in which he has participated, it should be pointed out the Pe’ahi Challenge in Hawaii.

Sponsors: Quiksilver, Redbull. Pukas

Nagai Puntiverio

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 31/07/1988

The Cantabrian is a great connoisseur of La Vaca. He has participated in competitions such as El Quemao Class Invitacional in 2014 and 2015; and La Vaca Gigante 2015.

Ollie Oflaherty

Country: Ireland
Birthdate: 14/04/1987

The Irish started surfing at the age of 4 and, at the age of 12, he was already in the Irish Nacional team facing big waves and traditional surf events.

He has been 3 times nominated for the Billabong XXL’s final.

Sponsors: C-Skins wetsuits , Creatures of leisure , Globe , sex wax ,Ollie’s Surf Academy, Coded Surfboards

Óscar Gómez Ibars

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 25/07/1974

The discoverer of La Vaca Gigante 10 years ago, is the person who has ridden this wave the most. His best surfing contests include the Dakine big wave Day 2006 or Santa Marina Gigante 2006. He has been nominated for the Billabong XXL Awards in 2009, 2011 and 2013; and he is one of the only riders who have participated in all editions of La Vaca Gigante.

Sponsors: Jetsonsutfboards, Oakley -Local Hero-

Óscar Moncada

Country: Mexico

From Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Moncada has represented Mexico in the ISA World Surfing Games on several occasions during his career and also, he has participated in many competitions in different parts of the world such as: Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, France, Norway, Indonesia and Portugal, among others.

Pablo Gutiérrez

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 12/07/1981

Pablo has a very large curriculum in which stands out his participation in the World Circuit, though he highlights the fact of being the first Spanish to compete in the Pipeline Master.

Sponsors: RIP CURL, FULL&CAS, HEALTH&SPORT, OAKLEY

Pablo Suárez

Country: Spain (Asturias)
Birthdate: 20/02/1987

Better known as “Pableras” he has been one of the riders that took part in the last edition of La Vaca Gigante.

Sponsors: HRSurfboards, Gijon Surf Hostel

Pablo Solar

Country: Spain (Cantabria)

The Cantabrian is one of the best surfers of the region and he has won several national awards. He is the national selector of the Spanish Surfing Federation and the Spanish team captain of the Red Bull Rivals 2015.

Pilou Ducalme

Country: France
Birthdate: 06/06/1964

From the South of France, Polou is one of the well-known faces in the northern coast. He has participated in Punta Galea’s Challenge and in several competitions with La Nord. In the past edition of La Vaca Gigante we already had the opportunity to enjoy Pilou’s challenge to La Vaca Gigante.

Sponsor: Greenfix

Stephane Iralour

Country: France
Birthdate: 09/05/1974

The French is one of the best big riders of the continent and probably the most famous.

His challenges to Nazare’s wave (Portugal), his participation in Nazaré RedChargers or in Rip Curls La Nord Challenge and his nomination for the XXL Awards are some of his achievements.

Sponsors: Rip Curl // F-One // E. Rougé surfboards // Manera

Tino Aja

Country: Spain (Cantabria)
Birthdate: 05/08/1970

The Cantabrian’s curriculum is unbeatable with participations in the Sunset Beach SUP Hawaii, La Vaca Gigante 2015 (better Wipeout of the competition), the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship 2014 in Peru.

In 2013 he was the winner of the European SUP Surfing Championship, and in 2011 he was the winner of the Spanish SUP Surfing Championship.

Sponsors: Jalaika, Dani Vila shaper, Escuela de surf los locos

Joana Andrade

Country: Portugal

The profesional Portuguese rider Joana Andrade is a well known sportswoman distinguished for being the best surfer of Portugal in 2006-2007. She has been nominated in 2004-2005 to the Billabong XXL Awards. One of the best international surfers in the la World Surf League’s Circuit, “the bomb’s hunter” is one of the leading figures of the European surfing, reaching the first positions in the World Championship Tour.

Emily Erickson

Country: Hawai (USA)
Birthdate: 9/16/1989

The Hawaiian Emily Erickson wrote his name in capital letters after her perfomance in Oahu’s North Shore or the legendary Mavericks.

Mirka Solar

Country: Spain(Cantabria)
Birthdate: 16/02/1985

The Cantabrian surfer is the Spanish surfer with more national titles (5) and she has third one in the European competition in 2002; Also in 2002 she finished the ISA World JuniorSurfing Championship in ninth position.

Sponsors: SOLAR ESCUELA DE SURF/ TARTAS CHICHA SUANCES/FULL&CAS

Justine Dupont

Country: France
Birthdate: 27/09/1991

The French big rider Justin Dupont is one of the WSF Qualifying Series’ top 10 and is one of the best female big riders at global level.

Sponsors: Billabong, Red Bull, Mini, EQ, Nixon, FCS

Iballa Ruano

Country: Spain (Canary Islands)

The multidisciplinary Canary Iballa Ruano has accepted the challenge, being the second Spanish female rider present in La Vaca Gigante By Oakley. From Pozo Izquierdo, she is an example as professional multidisciplinary sportswoman including sports such as Windsurf, Waves SUP or surf. She possesses 7 Windsurfing global titles. The woman of the Challenges has already one more coming: La Vaca Gigante By Oakley.

Sponsors: Starboard, Anfi