CAPBRETON, France (Thursday, January 16, 2014) -2014 has blessed us with the return of Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 28, to the elite ASP World Championship Tour. The Basque addition grows the European contingent back to a four-man team alongside Jeremy Flores (FRA), Michel Bourez (PYF) and Tiago Pires (PRT).
A former WCT competitor, Aranburu went back to full qualification mode early in 2013, collecting three consecutive fifth-place results in Prime events around Australia, Brazil and South Africa before finally cementing his position with an excellent seventh place at the infamous Reef Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa, Hawaii in December.
We just caught up with Aritz about his mind-frame before returning to the proving grounds of the World Championship Tour come March.
ASP Europe: How do you feel with the official announcement that you’re on tour again next year? Aritz Aranburu: I’m stoked. Means a lot and for different reasons. On one hand the fact of having only 32 spots for the Tour makes it way more challenging. Same time, this makes the prize of getting there even bigger. On the other hand it’s a boost of confidence in myself. Not only in my surfing but in the way I’m facing my career as a global thing. The fact of qualifying while living the other sides of surfing, like traveling or trying to help others through surf, makes it way more special.
ASPE: What have been your highs and lows this past season? AA: Actually my season was especially regular. Obviously it’s almost impossible to keep the same rhythm throughout the entire year. But if I had to choose some highs I would definitely go for the three consecutive 5th places in Margaret River, Saquarema and Ballito. Especially because they came after surfing some of the best waves of my life around the globe. Those trips were definitely a high in the season too. The early eliminations in San José (Mexico) and Portugal could be the lows of the season.
ASPE: With Tiago getting an injury wildcard, we’re back to a four-man Euro force with Jeremy and Michel, how do you feel about your chances to perform next year? AA: I think we’re all more mature and experienced. Tiago (Pires), Jeremy (Flores) and Michel (Bourez) have spent quite some competing and they are no strangers to the Tour. Besides, they have achieved some great performances. In my case I’m really eager to face the Tour again. This time I feel I have some experience that will help me enjoy the Tour and the season.
Aritz Aranburu will be surfing in the opening WCT event of 2014, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in March.
