4th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro 2023

Nia-Suardiaz, the 16 year old from Tarifa winner of women's GWA Surf-Freestyle 2023. Photo Samuel Cardenas
Nia-Suardiaz, the 16 year old from Tarifa winner of women's GWA Surf-Freestyle 2023. Photo Samuel Cardenas

4th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro 2023

The Surf-Freestyle discipline of the 2023 GWA World Tour is making its penultimate stop in Tarifa between 11th and 15th of October 2023 at Valdevaqueros Beach in front of Bibo Beach House.

The tour has taken us on an epic journey across the globe, from the windswept shores of Tauranga in New Zealand to the sunny havens of Sal, Cape Verde, and the picturesque landscapes of Leucate, France. We've surfed the waves from Gran Canaria to the sandy stretches of Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, and explored the Danish shores of Hvide Sande. Our adventure even took us to the stunning desert landscapes of Dakhla, Morocco. And the grand finale awaits us in Cauipe, Brazil, from November 21st to 25th, 2023!

The real excitement is the sucess of young sensation Nia Suardiaz, a 16-year-old prodigy from Tarifa. Nia has already clinched the Surf-Freestyle World Championship at the event in Hvide Sande, Denmark. Now, she has make waves in front of her hometown crowd, where her Cadiz mother's Spanish heritage and her father's German roots have given her the perfect blend of passion and skill. In 2020, she took her first steps into the world of surfing, and by 2021, she was already making waves at the GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, earning a remarkable second place last year..

Athletes from nine nations around the world, converged on Tarifa for the sixth stop of the tour in the Surf-Freestyle discipline.

There were two disciplines events in Tarifa. Surf-Freestyle which is the official World Cup dicipline. This will be followed by a low key Surf-Slalom event in Tarifa. Prize Money is 10.000€. 28 men have registered to compete (last year was a record 48) of which 8 are from Spain (last year was a record 10). 9 women have registered to compete (last year was a record 15) of which 2 are from Spain (last year was a record 5).

 

 

Day 1 - Wednesday 11th October 2023

With perfect Levante 30 knot wind conditions, the event the riders were called in the morning of the first calendar day of the tornament, marking an exciting 11.15 start to the event.

Womens Surf-Freestyle - Heats and Semi and Finals.

The Surf-Freestyle event started the tournament with the 9 registered female athletes. The semi-finales were played out in two heats, coincidently one with the four spanish riders These athletes displayed a solid array of tricks, including Nia Suardiaz's one-handed backflip. Notably, Nia earned the day’s highest heat score in her semi-final gaining 30.23 points.

In a closely contested four athlete final, each athlete showcased solid tricks. Nia sealed her victory with a flawless one-handed backflip innovation trick, earning a score of 10 points and securing her position at the top of the scoreboard, beyond the reach of her fellow competitors. Orane Ceris claimed 2nd place, Mar de Arce took 3rd, and Bowien van der Linden secured 4th place.

WOMEN’S RESULT
1st Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
2nd Orane Ceris (FRA)
3rd Mar de Arce (ESP)
4th Bowien van der Linden (NLD)

Mens Surf-Freestyle - Heats and Semi and Finals.

In the initial rounds of the Men’s Elimination, athletes took to the water, to gradually intensifying levante winds. Notably, the young athlete from Austria, Aleksander Acherer, had an impressive heat in his inaugural World Cup appearance, securing anoverall heat score of 27.66 points, propelling him directly into Round 3.

Local talent, River Moore, showcased a solid array of tricks in Round 2, earning him advancement along with Solen Gall from France. Local riders from Tarifa Nathan Berger and Lucas Roguet, put on a great show for the crowds.

The stakes soared in Round 3, as athletes pushed the boundaries of performance. Xavi Corr made history by being the first to execute the new Back-Mobe trick in competition, earning a notable 9.7 points and securing a spot in the quarter finals. Malo Guenole demonstrated a well-executed repertoire of tricks, comfortably progressing to the quarter finals. Jerome Cloetens, riding on his home turf, showcased his flawless back-mobe, earning a perfect 10.

The spotlight was stolen by Chris Mac Donald, the current leader, who made a dramatic entrance with an onslaught of high-scoring tricks. He culminated his remarkable performance with an outstanding Backflip to Frontside 7 combo, earning a perfect score of 10 points. Chris dominated the day, securing the highest heat score with 39.2 points, leaving no doubt about his prowess in the competition.

The day was completed with Round 4, which was the first elimination round for the men. The biggest surprise of the day saw Alan Fedit eliminated from competition much to his disappointment. Newcomer Aleksander Acherer, Vinnicius Martins, Francesco Cappuzzo, Clement Hamon, Ricardo Zorzi, Arthur Thebault, River Moore and Ancor Sosa all advanced through to the next round.

The 16 quarter finalists will battle it out on Day Two

 

 

Day 2 - Thursday 12th October 2023

With 'pumping' Levante wind conditions, the event the riders were called in the morning for the Ment Quarter-finals on a 12.00 start to the event.

Mens Surf-Freestyle - Quarter Finals

The quarter-finals commenced at midday with a robust levante wind. After a slow start, Malo Guenole rallied spectacularly in his heat and overcame a series of crashes. His back-mobe trick earned him a perfect 10 points, securing a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals. Francesco Cappuzzo displayed determination, narrowly defeating local contender Xavi Corr to join Malo in the semi-finals.

In another closely contested heat, Luca Vuillermont and Noe Cuyala secured their semi-final spots by outperforming Alexander Acherer and Clement Hamon. Bastien Escofet delivered a sound performance, his frontside 10 earned a perfect 10 and took him into the semi-finals alongside Axel Gerard.

Christopher MacDonald continued his dominance, claiming the top spot in his heat. Local favorite Jerome Cloetens advancing with his signature move, the back-mobe, securing a high score needed for the semi-finals.

Men’s Semi Finals

The first semi-final  featured a strong performance by Bastien Escofet. He showcases an array of tricks;  a Backmobe to frontside 3 (first-time combination in competition) earned a perfect 10. Meanwhile, Chris MacDonald maintained his form, landing four highly scored tricks, securing his place in the final 4.

The second semi-final sawd a nail-biting battle that culminated in the final two trick attempts. Malo Guenole held his ground, and Axel Gerard made a statement with an outstanding frontside 10, placing him in second. Jerome Cloetens stole the match with a back-mobe, gaining the points needed to knock both Axel and Luca out of contention for the finals.

Men's Final

The final unfolded against the backdrop of the strong levante wind. Chris MacDonald wasted no time unleashing a barrage of colossal tricks, setting the stage for a compelling battle to secure his world title in Tarifa.

The intensity soared with each athlete pushing the limits, but this pursuit came at the cost of some spectacular crashes. As the 7th trick attempt approached, the Chris maintaining a slight lead. Jerome, Malo, and Bastien were on his heels.

In the finial moments, both Chris and Jerome executed impressive tricks in their final attempts. Bastien and Malo both crashed on their final attempts.    Chris MacDonald seized his well-deserved crown on the shores of Valdevaquesos in Tarifa. 

Bastien Escofet secured a commendable second place, closely followed by Jerome Cloetens in 3rd and Malo Guenole in 4th. With this victory, Christopher MacDonald becomes GWA Wingfoil World Cup World Champion 2023 in the Surf-Freestyle discipline.

MEN’S RESULTs
1st Christopher MacDonald (USA)
2nd Bastien Escofet (FRA)
3rd Jerome Cloetens (ESP)
4th Malo Guenole (FRA)

 

based on reports by Gemma Hamaini

 

 

Analysis

there appears to be an annual churn in the riders of this new sport.  Of the four women who competed in the 1st GWA Tarifa Wing Pro during Covid in December 2020 Olivia Piana from France returned to Tarifa in 2nd GWA Tarifa Wing Pro in 2021. Paula Novotna from the Czech Republic was in Brasil in 2021 and returned to Tarifa in 2022. Eva Wyss and Laura Rudolph have not returned to compete in Tarifa since and none of the above registered in 2023.

Of the nine women riders registered for the 4th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro in 2023 five are newcombers to Tarifa. Winner Nia Suardiaz from Tarifa came 5th in 2021 and 2nd in 2022. Bowien Van der Linden from Netherlands came 1st in 2021 and 3rd in 2022.

Four of the 19 compeditors  of the 1st GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, Francesco Capuzzo (Italy), Maxime Chabloz (Canada) and Titouan Galea (Numea, New Caledonia), Fabian Muhmenthalar returned to Tarifa in 2021 and 2022. Balz Muller (Switzerland) returned in 2021 but was injured in 2022. Zdenek Maryzko (Czech Republic/Spain) also returned in 2021. 

Francesco Capuzzo (Italy) and Fabian Muhmenthalar are the only two riders to compete in all four editions of the GWA Tarifa Wing Pro.

Admission

As a beach event it is open and free to all.

Media handles and hashtags are @globalwingsports @tarifawingpro #GWAwingfoilworldtour #GWAwingfoil #Tarifawingpro #wingfoil

Tarifa Championship Competition Reports from Andalucia.com

Location

The event took place at Playa Valdevaqueros opposite Bebo Beach House, Tarifa.

Destinations

See and Do