FLORIANOPOLIS, Santa Catarina / Brazil (Thursday, Feb, 06, 2014) – Some of the world’s best longboarders are gathering in Trujillo, Peru for the 2014 Huanchaco Longboard Pro presented by Repalsa. The contest will run from February 12-14 and will host both the Men’s and Women’s events. Peru is well known for it’s extensive list of quality waves and elite surfers. The Women’s event will decide the ASP South America title and see who classifies for the ASP Longboard World Title event.
Huanchaco has a long history of its connection with the ocean and is considered the birthplace of surfing in Peru. It’s said that 3,000 years ago, fisherman glided along the waves on their “Cabalitos de Totora”, traditional reed canoes that are still used nowadays.
In 2013, Huanchaco was selected as a World Surfing Reserve by the “Save the Waves Coalition”. A list of criteria including wave quality/consistency, unique environmental characteristics, surf history/culture and local support have placed Huanchaco alongside Malibu and Santa Cruz (USA), Ericeira (Portugal) and Manly Beach (AUS) as only the fifth location to receive this prestigious honor.
Peru has secured the future of surfing (and surf tourism) in the country by introducing a law that environmentally protects the surf-friendly coastline and expects to develop a cultural “Surfer’s Paradise”. Playa El Elio de Huanchaco, Trujillo, in northern Peru is home to Piccolo Clemente (PER), the current ASP Longboard World Champion after winning the event in Hainan Island, China. By blending together a mixture of modern and traditional longboarding,
Clemente has shown in his past performances (2011 event winner) that he will be the man to beat. Also in the hunt for the title will be Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA), who won the Huanchaco Longboard Pro in 2013 and 2010. Sphaier and Clemente have gone head to head for the ASP South America Longboard crown over the past five editions of the Huanchaco Longboard Pro and both seem eager to settle their grudge in the water.
Athletes worldwide have been present at the Huanchaco Longboard Pro including Australia, USA, France, England, Hawaii, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Equador, Portugal, Brazil and of course, Peru.
