“Gran Canaria enjoys incredible international media exposure during the Paddle Surf World Championship.”
The head of the international Paddle Surf competition reflects on the Gran Canaria Pro Am 2024, the quality of El Lloret’s waves, and the island’s role as the host of the championship’s finals.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Monday, December 4.
How would you evaluate the Gran Canaria Pro Am 2024 so far?
First, I’d like to say it’s a great pleasure to be back here in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This is such a key venue, with a stunning wave and wonderful conditions right in the heart of the city—it’s amazing. This is our fifth edition, and it’s a fantastic way to close our season every year.
This time, the ocean conditions are slightly less favorable than in the past, but El Lloret is still delivering a beautiful wave. The first two days have gone really well, and we hope Thursday’s finals will see even better conditions. Regardless, what we have is more than enough to provide a spectacular show for the audience, and we’re thrilled. The competition is exceeding expectations, and we’re very satisfied.
Which title contenders have stood out to you so far?
So far, world champion Luis Diniz and Wellington Reis have been very strong. The 2022 champion, Benoit Carpentier, had an excellent performance on Wednesday. Sebastián Gómez from Peru has been putting on a great show—he connects really well with the wave and is a lot of fun to watch. Max Torres from Puerto Rico is also impressive.
I think the new world champion will come from this group, particularly the Brazilian duo of Diniz and Reis, who are set to face each other in the quarterfinals. It’s going to be very exciting, especially now that we’re entering the one-on-one heats, where the level of competition and rider tactics intensify. We’re seeing some truly high-quality surfing.
I’d also highlight Japan’s Take Inoue, last year’s runner-up. He’s an incredibly talented competitor, almost cat-like in his movements. He’s very aggressive yet always lands on his feet—it’s a unique style.
What about the women’s division?
The women’s competition is just as exciting. Iballa, of course, is the reigning champion and competing on her home turf. She’s always a force to be reckoned with, and watching her in action is something no one should miss.
Luchy Cosoleto from Argentina is showing great form and is undoubtedly a favorite given her current level. Brazilian Aline Adisaka also stands out. She had issues with her flight and struggled initially, but she’s bounced back and is now a serious contender. She’s an exceptional athlete with a wealth of experience.
There’s also Japan’s Kaede Inoue, who won here two years ago and finished second last year. She’s a consistent and formidable competitor.
What would you say to Gran Canaria’s residents about the significance of hosting the APP finals on the island?
It brings tremendous exposure. It positions Gran Canaria as a prominent destination in a truly global sport. We have events across Europe, North and South America, Asia, and the Middle East, with plans to expand into Australia soon. Hosting the finals here enhances Gran Canaria’s reputation as an ideal location for paddle surfing.
Next year, we’ll have events around the world, and it would be wonderful to finish here again. This competition places Gran Canaria firmly on the map for paddle surfing enthusiasts and helps showcase the island as a paradise for watersports.
