Leon Glatzer recently waited three months to surf his homebreak of Pavones. The goofy footer was born in Maui to German parents, but has lived his entire surfing life on Costa Rica's most famous lefthander. So when he finally got the chance, the noted aerialist didn't hold back.
Glatzer's hadn't surfed his local break for a few reasons. Initially Covid-19 restrictions had meant surfing was banned in Costa Rica. However when surfing was eventually allowed, a lack of swell further extended the drought.
The small town of Pavones, from which the wave gets its name, is situated in the "deep-south" of Costa Rica, on the southern side of the Gulfo Dulce. Tucked inside the bay it needs a big south swell to create the solid lefts that can run for up to a kilometre down the boulder-lined point. When it turns on, its claim to be the world's longest warm-water left is well-founded.
So, when a swell did finally arrive in mid-June, Glatzer was understandably frothing. The power and length of the waves mean that it isn't exactly known as an "air" wave, but with this session the 24-year-old is about to change that perception.
The QS surfer has forged a reputation as an explosive aerial surfer and this clip will burnish that rep even more. He made his Red Bull Airborne debut in France in 2019 and with performances like this more invites may be in the mail. The massive full rotations and lofty air reverses also come sprinkled with a mix of long barrels and full rail carves.
It's a talent that has netted him two QS victories in the past two years and serious aspirations to represent Germany at the Tokyo Olympics when surfing makes it debut at the Games. For now though he's just happy to be surfing his home break and firing cannons into the sky.
Noa Deane, Finn McGill, Matt Meola and Ian Crane earn top honors at the Red Bull Airborne France at La Gravière.
One Of The World's Most Underrated Aerialists Flares At Pavones
Ben Mondy
Leon Glatzer recently waited three months to surf his homebreak of Pavones. The goofy footer was born in Maui to German parents, but has lived his entire surfing life on Costa Rica's most famous lefthander. So when he finally got the chance, the noted aerialist didn't hold back.
Glatzer's hadn't surfed his local break for a few reasons. Initially Covid-19 restrictions had meant surfing was banned in Costa Rica. However when surfing was eventually allowed, a lack of swell further extended the drought.
The small town of Pavones, from which the wave gets its name, is situated in the "deep-south" of Costa Rica, on the southern side of the Gulfo Dulce. Tucked inside the bay it needs a big south swell to create the solid lefts that can run for up to a kilometre down the boulder-lined point. When it turns on, its claim to be the world's longest warm-water left is well-founded.
So, when a swell did finally arrive in mid-June, Glatzer was understandably frothing. The power and length of the waves mean that it isn't exactly known as an "air" wave, but with this session the 24-year-old is about to change that perception.
The QS surfer has forged a reputation as an explosive aerial surfer and this clip will burnish that rep even more. He made his Red Bull Airborne debut in France in 2019 and with performances like this more invites may be in the mail. The massive full rotations and lofty air reverses also come sprinkled with a mix of long barrels and full rail carves.
It's a talent that has netted him two QS victories in the past two years and serious aspirations to represent Germany at the Tokyo Olympics when surfing makes it debut at the Games. For now though he's just happy to be surfing his home break and firing cannons into the sky.
Leon Glatzer
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