- Gran Canaria’s Iballa Ruano showcased her experience, securing qualification with ease. The Japanese competitors emerge as her main challengers.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Monday, December 3. The Gran Canaria Pro-Am 2024, hosting the finals of the APP World Tour Paddle Surf Championship, began this Tuesday with ideal conditions, featuring waves between one and one and a half meters. The morning delivered non-stop action, perfect waves, and a spectacle at Las Canteras Beach. Top favorites met expectations, ensuring a Wednesday showdown that, weather permitting, will crown the new wave-riding world champions in Stand-Up Paddle.
The opening day saw the world’s elite riders dive into the waters of El Lloret, aiming for a spot in the next round. While younger and less experienced competitors pushed their limits, circuit leaders relied on their expertise to advance in this closely contested championship.
Gran Canaria’s Iballa Ruano demonstrated her prowess, comfortably winning her heat. The local legend, with two Paddle Surf and ten PWA Windsurf World Championships to her name, entered the water at 1:00 PM, riding the same board that secured her 2023 world title. Alazne Alonso from the Basque Country gave a valiant effort, extending her time on the board. Meanwhile, Ruano needed just three attempts to secure her place. Other favorites, including Frenchman Benoit Carpentier, followed similar strategies, with Carpentier patiently waiting until the final nine minutes of his heat to register his first points.
Among the other top performers advancing were Guillermo Carracedo (ESP), Taka Inoue (JPN), Wellington Reis (BRA), Sebastián Gómez (PER), and Luis Diniz (BRA) in the men’s category. In the women’s division, the Japanese competitors also delivered strong performances.
One surprise was the elimination of Japanese contender Aline Adisaka, who competed against Ruano for the world title last year. Adisaka cleared the first round but fell in the second. Ruano has already secured a spot in the quarterfinals, where she will face off against Japan’s Sakura and Kaede Inoue and Argentina’s Luchy Cosoleto. Four additional spots remain to complete the quarterfinal lineup, setting the stage for another battle between Ruano and the Japanese delegation.
In the men’s division, Luis Diniz, the defending champion and a fan of Gran Canaria’s coastline, impressed with his technical skill, strength, and balance, dominating his heat with 11.57 points. Spanish national champion Guillermo Carracedo also shone, completing five maneuvers on a single wave. Brazilian Wellington Reis captivated spectators and passersby near the Plaza de la Música sports area with a fiercely contested heat, ultimately winning with 9.73 points. Mexican Sebastián Gómez also delivered a commanding performance on the waves of El Lloret.
The first day was idyllic: sunshine, light winds, and warm temperatures both in and out of the water provided a stunning setting in Gran Canaria’s capital.
Björn Dunkerbeck, a sporting legend with 42 world titles and organizer of the Gran Canaria Pro-Am 2024, praised the conditions:
«It’s a privilege, honestly, to have these wave and temperature conditions in a European capital like Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. We have everything needed to host a spectacular world championship that will be streamed globally. Many participants are familiar with and experienced on this wave, ensuring a thrilling show. The waves are expected to remain consistent, peaking on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, promising an event that I hope people enjoy in person or via streaming.»
The quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals of the wave-riding category for both men and women are scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM this Wednesday.
The World Championship can be followed via www.sup-grancanaria.com and on social media at @appworldtour, @GranCanariaProAmSUPChallenge, and @gc_paddle_surf.
The Gran Canaria Pro-Am 2024 is supported by the Gran Canaria Cabildo’s Departments of Sports and Tourism, the Canary Islands Government’s Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council through its Municipal Sports Institute, the Canary Surf Federation, 7IFILM.COM, Poemas del Mar Aquarium, Water Speed, City Sightseeing Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, School Surf-Windsurf-SUP, Universidad del Atlántico Medio, and Volkswagen Comerciales.
