The event management team took advantage of the excellent conditions to make up for lost time, setting a day with more than 50 heats
The QS 6000 International favourites from the World Surf League (WSL) have already hit the water, and the draws are starting to thin out ahead of the decisive days
PANTÍN, 28 AUGUST 2026.
Making up for lost time. Speeding things up so the best conditions are available for the decisive days, when the new champions of the Abanca Pantín Classic Galicia Pro will be decided. That was the priority for the competition management today, which is why they set a record-breaking day: 52 heats of 25 minutes. A feat only possible on a stage as special as this one, capable of hosting a double peak for almost 12 hours. That’s what makes Pantín, Pantín. It needs no introduction in the world of surfing. It has never let anyone down.
As part of this marathon day, the QS 6000 International favourites from the WSL have already had their first taste of the iconic beach in the Concello de Valdoviño. In the men’s draw, without making much noise but putting the rest of the field on alert, Frederico Morais has already slipped into the decisive rounds. The Portuguese surfing legend feels right at home in powerful, water-heavy waves like Pantín’s. They’re the perfect canvas for his round, energy-packed turns.
In his second heat of the day, he came up against Gony Zubizarreta. The greatest Galician surfer in history bowed out of the event in a 25-minute heat in which he couldn’t find the rhythm that both Morais and Hans Odriozola — with 10.60 and 13.57 points respectively — imposed to secure a spot among the competition’s top 32. Meanwhile, Australia’s Eden Hasson, with a heat total of 18.00 points and a 9.83 wave, put in the best performance so far in the Abanca Pantín Classic Galicia Pro 2026. Brazil’s Ian Gouveia and Deivid Silva also advanced and remain on the list of potential winners for this edition.
Jay Occhilupo, son of the legendary Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo, was eliminated in the round of 64, after putting on an impressive display in the round of 96, posting a heat total of 14.50 (8.27 and 6.23) for his two best waves.
In the women’s draw, Peru’s Arena Rodríguez tore apart the waves at Pantín’s classic peak to post a total of 14.67 (8.00+6.67). Her compatriot Sol Aguirre, one of the big favourites, also topped her heat to book her place in the decisive days of the championship.