“Surfing is the common thread that connects Galicia as a tourist and sporting destination,” highlights the Xunta.
“Surfing brings life to this beach throughout the year” and strengthens Costa da Morte’s position as a World Surfing Reserve, promoted by the A Coruña Provincial Council.
Carballo (A Coruña), September 24th – Great waves and splendid sunshine marked the start of the II edition of the Cabreiroá Junior Pro Razo (September 24-28), a WSL (World Surf League) sporting event that wraps up the summer of 2024 in Galician waters with the European U20 championship. A total of 187 surfers from a dozen nationalities, ranging from Japan to the Czech Republic, are competing in the continental circuit. Nearly a kilometer of golden sand and strong waves facing the Sisargas Islands form Razo beach – protected as part of the Natura 2000 network. This unique setting was officially presented today, beachside, by public authorities and private sponsors who make the event possible.
“Without this landscape and these waves, this happy reality wouldn’t be possible,” said Mayor Evencio Ferrero, who expressed his satisfaction at hosting a WSL championship that continues to grow. The event has already set up its base camp on Razo beach, with tents and structures where surfing, leisure, and commerce blend seamlessly. “When public administrations and private initiatives come together, great things like this happen,” emphasized Xosé Regueira, Provincial Deputy and Councilor for Promotion and Tourism in Carballo, pleased with the progress of a competition that has come to Carballo to grow and stay.
“Surfing brings a lot of life to this beach throughout the year,” he added, recalling that Razo was home to Spain’s first surf camp in 1991 and has a positive impact on local hospitality businesses.
“Surfing is the common thread that connects Galicia as a tourist, sporting, and sustainable destination,” emphasized Carmen Pita, Director of Tourism Promotion of the Xunta, while Xosé Ramón Lete Lasa, Secretary General for Sport, highlighted the “blend of tourism and sport” as a successful duo showcasing Galicia’s potential with 1,500 kilometers of coastline, 956 of which are in the province of A Coruña. At today’s midday presentation, led by Galician surfer Gony Zubizarreta, other speakers included Melisa Palisardo, representing Gadisa as part of their commitment to sports and healthy eating, and Manuel Eiroa from Cabreiroá, a subsidiary of Hijos de Rivera, which gives the event its name. “We always aim to support initiatives with a positive impact, driven by commitment, effort, and ambition to grow, like this championship,” said Eiroa. Mateo Saco, Vice President of the Galician Surf Federation (FGS), also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity for young Galician surfers to compete in the Galician Open this Tuesday at Razo, aiming to secure one of four wildcard entries to the main competition. Lastly, from the organizing Clube Praia de Pantín, Yago Barreto thanked the Public Administrations – Carballo Council, A Coruña Provincial Council, and Xunta de Galicia, through Turismo y Deporte Galego – for supporting the third of three WSL events held in Galicia this summer of 2024, with A Coruña beaches as the stage and a global showcase for a coast that always has waves.
200 U20 SURFERS COMPETE FOR THE WSL EUROPEAN CROWN
The JR1000 event of the WSL (World Surf League) Junior Tour will begin this Wednesday and run until the finals on Saturday, September 28th. Nearly 200 young surfers, 131 boys and 56 girls, aged 12 to 20, will participate. Among the girls, standout competitors include 2023 champion, Basque surfer Anette González-Etxabarri, and Sol Borrelli. Among the boys, Lukas Skinner, Edoardo Poggi, and Spaniards Jacobo Trigo and Galician Manuel Fernández are top names.
Razo will be the final stop of the WSL Junior Tour Europe circuit, and, as in 2023, it will not only crown the champions of the A Coruña event but also the annual WSL champions for the region, which includes both Europe and the Middle East.