Pontevedra Readies for Exciting European QS Series Launch

Caption:Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) will count on confidence built from a 3rd place at the Junior event last year.
Image:ASP/Masurel

PLAYA DE LA LANZADA, Pontevedra – Galicia/Spain (Tuesday, April 8, 2014) - Stop No.1 on the European Qualification Series, the ASP 1-Star Men and Women Rias Baixas Pro is just a short two-days away from starting action on the European coastline.

A new addition to the regional schedule in 2014, this exciting event will host some of the continent’s top talent looking to secure the precious ranking points on offer and a share of the US$17,500 combined prize-purse.

“It is fantastic to see 80 surfers participating in this first Rias Baixas Pro Qualifying event in La Lanzada over the coming days,” commented Marcos Rodriguez, event organizer. “There are many Spanish surfers and juniors along with Europe’s top athletes including Jonathan Gonzalez, Joan Duru from France, Gony Zubizarreta as well as Maud LeCar and Alizee Arnaud in the women’s event. This event along with the Pantin Classic are very important for Galicia and are the highest level ASP events held in Spain this year which makes us proud to see the best surfers competing in the quality waves that Galicia has to offer.”

Set at the western tip of the European shores, conditions are expected to bring fun, playful waves to the iconic A Lanzada beach in Pontevedra.

“We are expecting small conditions but the sand banks are quite good at the moment which should produce a marvellous playing field for all the athletes to highlight their abilities,” Rodriguez continued. “Also we expect great sunny weather and we invite everyone to come down to La Lanzada to enjoy the show.”

With Spring off to a great start in the region highlighted by a recent run of swells and light winds, everyone is amped to get the ball rolling and put the rashvest on for the first time this year.

“ASP Europe is kicking off its 2014 Qualifying Series this Thursday at La Lanzada with the Rias Baixas men and women’s events,” Rob Gunning, ASP Europe Tour Manager stated. “Everyone is really excited about this new event which will be webcast live via the event web site on aspworldtour.com. The level of participants is very high and we are sure to see some brilliant surfing over the coming days.”

The 2014 Rias Baixas Pro is scheduled from April 10-13, 2014 at Playa de la lanzada, Pontevedra - Galicia/Spain. For more information, visit aspworldtour.com.

The Surf Rias Baixas Pro is made possible with the support of the following event partners: Diputación de Pontevedra, Concello de O Grove, Club Praia de Pantín y la Federación Galega de Surf amongst others.