2016 MARTINIQUE SURF PRO: WHY THEY ARE RETURNING…

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In just under two weeks from now, from 17th to 24th April, some of the world’s best surfers will be getting together at the Basse-Pointe spot for the second edition of the Martinique Surf Pro. Due to the large number of entrants, the organizers have chosen an event format with 144 surfers (and not 128). It is not down to chance that that many competitors, who were present for the maiden edition last year are back again, including both finalists (the title-holder Joshua Moniz from Hawaii and the South African, Michael February) and five of the eight quarter finalists. Some of those, who took part in the first Martinique Surf Pro tell us why they are returning…

Michael February (ZAF) – ®WSL_Poullenot

Places for the second Martinique Surf Pro are not easy to come by. Registrations are now closed and no fewer than 166 surfers from around the world (around 25 nationalities are represented) intend to come to Basse-Pointe for this Qualifying Series (QS) event. Only 144 places are available and some competitors had to join the waiting list. This situation proves how attractive the Martinique event is. Surfers, who were absent last year, did not wish to miss the competition this time around. Among them, some have taken part in the past few years in the World Championship Tour (CT), which brings together the 34 top surfers in the world. They include the Spaniard, Aritz Aranburu, the American, Patrick Gudauskas and the Brazilian, Willian Cardoso. Other leading newcomers will be joining them, such as last year’s winner, the Hawiian, Joshua Moniz, back to defend his title. The South African finalist, Michael February will also be here, as will the Peruvian, Miguel Tudela, semi-finalist last year. In fact, among the eight quarter finalists from the first edition, five are returning. Alongside the three aforementioned, there will also be the Hawaiian, Kiron Jabour and the Venezuelan, Francisco Bellorin.

Francisco Bellorin (VEN) – ®WSL_Poullenot

Line Up – ®WSL_Poullenot

Quotes
Joshua Moniz (Hawaii), winner of the 2015 Martinique Surf Pro: “Seeing such great waves at Basse-Pointe was a huge surprise”
“I simply had to return to the Martinique Surf Pro. Last year, I had a great time and the waves were incredible. I really enjoyed this competition and exploring the island, so I couldn’t miss this second edition. Seeing such great waves at Basse-Pointe was a huge surprise. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting that and I couldn’t have imagined how much fun I would get from these waves. In fact, we don’t very often get the opportunity to enjoy such conditions in the Qualifying Series. These were the finest waves I surfed last year in the QS. I also enjoyed surfing in the heat with just a jersey on. I also discovered some other great spots around Martinique. I think the standard will be much higher this year. There are even more great surfers and it’s going to be exciting to compete against them. Today I have a different approach before the events and it is working well. I’m not thinking about keeping my title. I’m focusing more on taking it one leg at a time and giving it my all. If at the end of the event, I am the winner and keep my title, I’ll be extremely pleased!”

Michael February (South Africa), finalist in the 2015 Martinique Surf Pro: “My goal will be to do better than be the runner-up”
“I decided to return to Martinique, as I really enjoyed myself here last year. The waves were excellent for the first edition of the Martinique Surf Pro, among the best in all the competitions organized in 2015. I also liked the welcome that we had. People did all they could to make sure we felt good. The locals were very enthusiastic about this event. I am expecting a very high standard this year. More surfers are coming after seeing how great the competition was last year. My goal is clearly to do better than in 2015, and that means doing better than finishing as runner-up.”

Miguel Tudela (PER) – ®WSL_Poullenot

Miguel Tudela (Peru), semi-finalist in the 2015 Martinique Surf Pro: “I can’t wait, it’s going to be a fantastic show”
“I got a very good result last year, finishing third equal. We were lucky to be able to take advantage of some very good conditions and world class waves. As for the event site, the welcome, the atmosphere and the food, I loved it all. It was well organized and everything was done to make life easy. The Martinique Surf Pro was one of the best events of 2015. That’s why I wanted to return for the second edition. Particularly with the Martinique Surf Pro being one of the most important competitions in the QS in the first half of the year. I can’t wait, it’s going to be a fantastic show. Personally, I’ll be trying even harder than last year. I’m here to win.”

Ian Gouveia (Brazil), knocked out in the fifth round of the 2015 Martinique Surf Pro: “We find all the types of waves we like in Martinique”
“We scored some fantastic waves last year and that means we want to return. I too was surprised by the quality of the conditions. We find all the types of waves we like in Martinique. It is also a very beautiful island and the people are very friendly. Everyone is in a hurry to get back to Martinique and to put on a good show. I will have two goals. To enjoy myself and to get good scores and a good result.”

Andy Crière (France), knocked out in the fourth round of the 2015 Martinique Surf Pro: “The Martinique Surf Pro is a unique event”
“Last year, we got a great welcome and we all felt at ease here from the start to the end of the trip. The organizers and all the staff working around us did a great job. There was an excellent atmosphere between the surfers. We also took advantage of some very good wave conditions. Everything fell into place to ensure that the event was a success. When things take place the first time around, we really don’t want to miss out on the next edition. As soon as the first edition was over, I said that I would be back in 2016. The Martinique Surf Pro is not like any other competition in the QS calendar. It is a unique vent, which takes place in a very special atmosphere. The standard will be even higher this year with the arrival of some serious contenders. It’s going to be even tougher getting through the series, but that is what makes our sport interesting. I’ll take each series as if it was the last. I shall maybe come up against surfers, who have done incredible things on the best waves in the world. It’s going to be hard to beat them, but a series is a series and we’re all here to try to win.”

Key figures concerning the 2015 Martinique Surf Pro
106 competitors representing 20 different nationalities from 5 continents
21 surfers from the Top 100 of the Qualification Series (QS)
5 days of sport
59 series were organised
1289 waves surfed by the competitors and scored by the judges
98 excellent waves (note between 8 and 10)
146 places gained in the QS by Joshua Moniz thanks to his win in the Martinique Surf Pro

Visit the MARTINIQUE SURF PRO website at www.martiniquesurfpro.com

Agence Mer & Média

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Lista del 05 de Abril 2016.