The arrival of 200 junior competitors, along with their teams and families during the five days of the championship, will provide an economic boost to the region’s service sector.
The event, taking place for the first time on the beaches of Carballo and A Laracha within the European circuit of the WSL, highlights the potential of this wild stretch of the Galician coast, from Caión to Carnota, to become an international surf destination recognized as a World Surfing Reserve by the Save the Waves Coalition, an NGO.
The event, starting this Wednesday, September 20, at Caión Beach, A Laracha, with the Galician trials—where the top performers in both the male and female categories will receive a wildcard, a direct pass to the main competition—moves to Razo Beach, Carballo, on Thursday, September 21, with a wave forecast that guarantees excitement in a sporting event that goes beyond just the waves.
The Cabreiroá Junior Pro Razo-Caión pushes the options of Razo Beach and its surroundings as a World Surfing Reserve, one of the goals set by the Provincial Council of A Coruña, which supports the event, within its year-round Tourism strategy. It will undoubtedly have a very positive impact on the regional economy.
The arrival of nearly 200 junior surfers, both boys and girls aged between 12 and 21 years old approximately, who travel to Razo accompanied by their coaches and families, will result in increased demand for local services, including hotel occupancy and spending on local restaurants.
According to data from the largest international online booking portal, 85% of hotel rooms are already booked for the event dates (from September 20 to 24), with high demand for late September. Additionally, there is direct seasonal employment generated by the event, from setup to assistance for the riders, and the monitors at the ludoteca (children’s playroom) with numerous direct and indirect contracts provided by the Praia de Pantín Club, which promotes the competition.
COSTA DA MORTE, WORLD SURFING RESERVE
In 2019, the Provincial Council of A Coruña presented the first candidacy to protect Costa da Morte as a World Surfing Reserve for Razo Beach and its surroundings, along with the beaches of Baldaio, Malpica, Caión, Nemiña, Mar de Fóra, and Seaia, in the municipalities of Malpica, A Laracha, Muxía, and Fisterra, to the prestigious NGO Save The Waves Coalition. If successful, Costa da Morte would be the second World Surfing Reserve declared in Europe, after Ericeira in Portugal, and the 12th in the world. This would be a major international tourist attraction for the province of A Coruña for surf enthusiasts and other water sports enthusiasts (bodyboarding, longboarding, windsurfing, paddleboarding, etc.).
Xosé Regueira, Vice President of the Provincial Council and Tourism Councillor of Carballo, argues that Costa da Morte meets the requirements to obtain this international recognition as a sustainable destination, and its prospects are strengthened by hosting an international WSL championship. Simultaneously, it serves as the best tourism showcase for promoting the region’s beaches in an event that is broadcast live worldwide via streaming at https://classicsurfpro.com/.
The potential of Costa da Morte goes beyond its beaches (which number more than 400 in the province of A Coruña) and its 200 kilometers of coastal roads, viewpoints, unique waterfalls in Europe like the one at Ézaro, or the popular Two Lighthouses Route. It has become a unique and year-round geotourism destination with the municipalities that make it up: Cabana de Bergantiños, Camariñas, Carballo, Carnota, Cee, Coristanco, Corcubión, Dumbría, Fisterra, A Laracha, Laxe, Malpica de Bergantiños, Mazaricos, Muxía, Ponteceso, Vimianzo, and Zas.