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More than thirty athletes with disabilities from Brazil, Canada, the United States, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, and Spain are already registered for this 2022
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For the first time, adapted surfing will have its own space at the ABANCA PANTÍN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO 2022 with the first contest in Galician waters and 10,000 euros in prizes
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“Disabled athletes are absolutely stoked to have this great opportunity to compete,” says Francesena, a blind surfer from Zarautz.
Aitor Francesena Uria, ‘Gallo’ lost his sight in 2011. First due to congenital glaucoma and later, a blow from the sea. Deprived of sight, he did not turn away from his passion for the ocean. Blindness did not prevent him from surfing like few others and being one of the most famous coaches in this sport, behind the sporting successes of figures such as Aritz Aranburu, Kepa and Eneko Acero or Asier Muniain.
“Wanting is power,” he repeats endlessly. Aitor Francesena will be one of the disabled surfers who will compete at the 35th edition of the ABANCA PANTÍN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO 2022, which starts on July 9 with a determined commitment to inclusive sport through adapted surfing.
Along with Francesena, another 32 athletes (26 men and six women) arrived from Brazil, Canada, Argentina, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and Spain. Among the newest, Álvaro Menéndez, with only 15 years and the experience of the Portuguese Paralympic Marta Jordao Paço; They also highlight the example of the vitality of the Argentine Nicolás Gallegos and the American Dana Cummings, active in the competition with more than 52 years.
The adapted surfing competition from the start to the 35th edition of the ABANCA PANTÍN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO 2022 championship on Saturday 9 and will continue throughout the weekend until Monday 11 when sea conditions allow it, the finals will take place They will distribute a total of 10,000 euros prize money.
“Thanks to Pantín Classic we have the opportunity to train for more than one test. Until now we were limited to the Spanish and European Championships. Thinking of us, disabled athletes who love surfing, within the competition is getting us over the moon and we give a big shout out to the organization and the sponsors for making it possible”, highlights Francesena from Zarautz.
“With all the difficulties that the pandemic brought us, at last, this summer I will be able to surf and share Pantín beach. Adaptive surfing is already professional and we have to stand for this sport to grow and make it bigger and bigger”, says Nicolás Gallegos, who has already started the trip from Miramar (Argentina) to participate for the first time in the ABANCA PANTÍN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO 2022.
“Xunta de Galicia collaborates with this one-of-a-kind project that is a mirror to look into throughout Spain and that unites sports with disabilities, with the values that these fields add, such as camaraderie, teamwork, and above all the continuous desire to improve,” they point out from the Dirección Xeral de Maiores e Discapacidade.
On their side, ABANCA highlights that the values of sport must prevail and offer equal opportunities to all athletes regardless of their abilities.
Undoubtedly, an example of life and improvement that will place Galicia as a proving ground for inclusive sport in the most important sports event of the summer.