This first edition of the Illa Pancha was something that i will never Forget.
The team behind it had as a head directors Oscar García from Ribadeo, Lucas and myself from Aftersurf but a lot of names supporting us that I only can say big thank!!
We started working on it July 2018.
Proceeding every details for the day.
One day that wasn’t that easy to choose.
Swell for this place, get be as much north as I could see and monotorize the whole swell from the begging, up there, close to Iceland, hitting Ireland and coming down, was an stressful day by day check ( more like hour by hour check).
I remember asked many peoples and they all said will be bad, too small.
I had a talk with master forecast François Liets and he did see the same of me.
An solid north swell.
And from the other hand, Guys that have lots of experience in Nazaré and surfing there, all confirmed to come.
We had a short briefing one night before .
Ross and Axi decide to go surf another wave and alternates partner from Portugal, Lourenço and Francisco took their spot.
Waves start a bit slow and really pumped from quarters finals 4.
With a great show from Natxo and Adrian( Basque Country).
The two greatest fight for me was :
Semi 2
Natxo / Adrian vs Pato / Scooby
The last 2 waves decide the winner with to back to back barrels and the Brazilians won it.
Same team did a crazy fight up against Lucas /Ian.
Lucas had some barrels, Pedro a good one that could win the best barrel of the contest ( waiting to see Redbull footage from a Pujol to really clarified this. I still in doubt between him and Lucas).
And Ian Consesa barrel was the one barrel that made the difference.
All day in the water.
A great show of barrels.
Sponsors happy.
Politicians happy
Public happy
We all from organization , say a big thank you!!
See you at the next edition!
Follow us at illapanchachallenge.com
Ian Consensa .
firstedition champ with Lucas Chumbo