Pantín joins the Para Surf League (PSL) circuit with one of the 4 competitions that exist for inclusive surfing, aspiring to be an Olympic sport
An example of overcoming and resilience, they will be the first surfers to kick off the 37th edition this summer 2024 in Galician waters.
Pantín (Valdoviño), August 20.- The 37th edition of the Abanca Pantin Classic Galicia Pro kicks off this weekend with one of the new features of this 2024 edition: for the first time, the adapted surfing event (August 24 and 25) will be integrated into the world circuit of the Para Surf League (PSL), the equivalent of the World Surf League for athletes with disabilities.
Pantín will thus be one of the four beaches worldwide to host an inclusive surfing championship within the world circuit, alongside the United States and France, as part of the commitment to equality and equity in sports.
A total of 40 surfers are registered in the different categories (15 women and 25 men) coming from Brazil, the United States, Morocco, Switzerland, Germany, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
Among them are the American Dana Cummings, one of the pioneers and legends of this sport, Lou Meniche (FRA), the Galician Dani Souto, and the Spanish Sara Almagro, a true example of vitality and resilience after suffering multiple amputations of all her limbs. Almagro is a world runner-up and European champion in her category, who has found her driving force and medicine in the sea.
The adapted surfing event, which had already been held by the initiative of the organization in previous years, takes a qualitative leap by being integrated into the Para Surf League (PSL), to support and promote Para Surfing worldwide, aspiring to be included in the Paralympic Games.
The parasurfing competition in Pantín will distribute nearly 20,000 euros in prizes, one of the highest amounts in the circuit, as support to finance the travel and logistics costs of the participants.
Legendary surfers such as Aitor Francesena, ‘Gallo’, an elite coach of big names like Aritz Aramburu, Kepa and Eneko Acero, Mario Azurza, or Axi Muniain have already surfed in Galician waters. Francesena lost his right eye due to congenital glaucoma at the age of 14, and a big wave damaged his left eye in 2012, but he never got off the board. He listens to the winds and anticipates waves and currents with the palm of his hands.