BASSE-POINTE, Martinique / France - The first edition of the Martinique Surf Pro, a Men's QS3,000 event will be taking place in less than two months, from April 21- 26. As the date draws nearer, the line-up is getting stronger and looks very promising with no fewer than forty entrants from four continents registered, all eagerly waiting to discover one of the finest surfing locations on Martinique: Basse-Pointe, in the north-east of the island. Registrations will keep pooring in as the event approaches.
The Martinique Surf Pro is already fully booked. And for good reason, the event has what it takes to attract competitors from the four corners of the Earth. Firstly, it will take place in a top quality location, Basse-Pointe, which offers one of the longest surfing waves on Martinique, which should ensure a great show, fantastic right handers which competitors are certain to enjoy... as will all those watching from ashore or on the water. At a time of year when the trade winds ease off, there is every chance that conditions clean up. All the ingredients are there to ensure that some of the world's leading surfers can fully express themselves during the five days of this maiden edition.
Caribbean, Europe, America, Asia…
In spite of its huge surfing potential, Martinique has never hosted an international professional surf competition. Organised by Martinique Surfing, the Martinique Surf Pro will be the only Caribbean leg in the QS in 2015. It is no surprise that the event is attracting many surfers from Martinique and other Caribbean islands. Familiar names on the European tours, Louca Jourdan and Jerry Schaefer from Martinique, Gatien Delahaye, Enzo Cavallini and Timothée Bisso representing Guadeloupe, as well as Barbados-based Joshua Burke and Dane McKie will be trying to keep the inaugural event crown in the Caribbean. But the event is not only attracting local surfers. Far from it. It aims to be a truly international event and the line-up confirms this aspect. Registrations have only just opened, but already around forty competitors have signed up from four continents: Europe, America, Asia, Oceania. There will therefore be representatives from Brazil, the United States, Hawaii, Japan, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Indonesia, Chile and Australia among others.
A springboard for new talent
It will be a great opportunity for everyone, offering them a chance to gain experience and battle for ranking points (3000 in Martinique) in the Qualification Series. With the aim of reaching the Top10 in this qualifying circuit and therefore join the Elite Tour, which brings together the world's top 34 surfers. In Martinique, we shall see some surfers, who may quite possibly join that elite group at the end of the season, such as the American, Evan Geiselman or the Australian, Cooper Chapman, to name just two. We shall also see a lot of young talented surfers from France and from around the world, who have been competing in the past few years in the Junior Tour and have now entered the world circuit. There is for example, Tom Cloarec, 9th in the Junior World Championship last October. For these youngsters, the Martinique Surf Pro will in some way be the final hurdle before they achieve glory. So, we can look forward to a very high standard, in particular as the line-up is getting stronger in the coming days and weeks. That seems to be very promising for the longevity of the event, which aims to become an annual date that everyone wants to attend in the Qualification Series.
After the competition…
The festivities will also continue ashore with a commercial village with many fun activities and special events, as well as a music stage, which guarantees a festive and friendly atmosphere.
Martinique Surf Pro: a great line-up expected
WSL
BASSE-POINTE, Martinique / France - The first edition of the Martinique Surf Pro, a Men's QS3,000 event will be taking place in less than two months, from April 21- 26. As the date draws nearer, the line-up is getting stronger and looks very promising with no fewer than forty entrants from four continents registered, all eagerly waiting to discover one of the finest surfing locations on Martinique: Basse-Pointe, in the north-east of the island. Registrations will keep pooring in as the event approaches.
The Martinique Surf Pro is already fully booked. And for good reason, the event has what it takes to attract competitors from the four corners of the Earth. Firstly, it will take place in a top quality location, Basse-Pointe, which offers one of the longest surfing waves on Martinique, which should ensure a great show, fantastic right handers which competitors are certain to enjoy... as will all those watching from ashore or on the water. At a time of year when the trade winds ease off, there is every chance that conditions clean up. All the ingredients are there to ensure that some of the world's leading surfers can fully express themselves during the five days of this maiden edition.
Caribbean, Europe, America, Asia…
In spite of its huge surfing potential, Martinique has never hosted an international professional surf competition. Organised by Martinique Surfing, the Martinique Surf Pro will be the only Caribbean leg in the QS in 2015. It is no surprise that the event is attracting many surfers from Martinique and other Caribbean islands. Familiar names on the European tours, Louca Jourdan and Jerry Schaefer from Martinique, Gatien Delahaye, Enzo Cavallini and Timothée Bisso representing Guadeloupe, as well as Barbados-based Joshua Burke and Dane McKie will be trying to keep the inaugural event crown in the Caribbean. But the event is not only attracting local surfers. Far from it. It aims to be a truly international event and the line-up confirms this aspect. Registrations have only just opened, but already around forty competitors have signed up from four continents: Europe, America, Asia, Oceania. There will therefore be representatives from Brazil, the United States, Hawaii, Japan, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Indonesia, Chile and Australia among others.
A springboard for new talent
It will be a great opportunity for everyone, offering them a chance to gain experience and battle for ranking points (3000 in Martinique) in the Qualification Series. With the aim of reaching the Top10 in this qualifying circuit and therefore join the Elite Tour, which brings together the world's top 34 surfers. In Martinique, we shall see some surfers, who may quite possibly join that elite group at the end of the season, such as the American, Evan Geiselman or the Australian, Cooper Chapman, to name just two. We shall also see a lot of young talented surfers from France and from around the world, who have been competing in the past few years in the Junior Tour and have now entered the world circuit. There is for example, Tom Cloarec, 9th in the Junior World Championship last October. For these youngsters, the Martinique Surf Pro will in some way be the final hurdle before they achieve glory. So, we can look forward to a very high standard, in particular as the line-up is getting stronger in the coming days and weeks. That seems to be very promising for the longevity of the event, which aims to become an annual date that everyone wants to attend in the Qualification Series.
After the competition…
The festivities will also continue ashore with a commercial village with many fun activities and special events, as well as a music stage, which guarantees a festive and friendly atmosphere.
Jerry Schaefer
Day 2 unfolds in small surf at Basse-Pointe, leaving only 64 surfers in contention for the inaugural Martinique title.
Martinique Surf Pro
Coolest shots from the inaugural Martinique Surf Pro, in April 2015.
Re-live the Martinique Surf Pro, an intense week of red-hot action in the lineup in the tropical paradise of the French West-Indies.
A look at the biggest moments on Finals Day at the Martinique Surf Pro.
Hawaiian Joshua Moniz takes out the first-ever Martinique Surf Pro in an exciting final day at Basse-Pointe.
Day 4 unfolded in pumping surf at Basse-Pointe to decide the semifinalists.