The second day of the Gran Canaria Pro-AM 2024 sees favorites advancing steadily toward the finals and confirms the lineup for the Under-21 finals.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tuesday, December 4. A steady rise in energy marked the second day of the Gran Canaria Pro-AM 2024, part of the APP World Tour Paddle Surf World Championship. Although the waves at El Lloret began the morning subdued, easterly winds helped build their size and strength, allowing the planet’s best riders to shine. This day was a visual treat, showcasing the immense skill and talent of competitors.
Title contenders like Iballa Ruano, Aline Adisaka, Luis Diniz, Taka Inoue, Wellington Reis, Sebastián Gómez, Max Torres, Camille Dubrana, and Marine Kerdreux all secured spots in the quarterfinals, set to be fiercely contested on Thursday in one-on-one heats.
In the Under-21 division, the finalists were determined: sisters Sakura and Kaede Inoue advanced directly, while Spain’s Julieta Rodríguez-Villamil and France’s Prune Guérin earned their spots in the afternoon heats. Cádiz native Enrique Pérez Serra will compete in the Junior final alongside French riders Burac Killian, Titouan Pajot, and Lucas Winderdreux.
Changing Strategies and Clutch Performances
The day began with repechage rounds, bringing a noticeable shift in strategy. Unlike the previous day’s focus on riding as many waves as possible, riders now targeted one or two standout waves. Timing and precision were critical, with competitors waiting for the perfect moment, executing aggressive maneuvers, and landing them cleanly. Each rider managed to ride at least three or four high-quality waves per heat, with many of the decisive scores coming in the closing minutes.
France’s Gabriel Bachelet delivered a dominant performance to advance to the round of 16. Similarly, Brazil’s Aline Adisaka redeemed herself after a challenging first day. Finding her rhythm and confidence, Adisaka impressed with one of the morning’s standout performances. Explaining her earlier struggles, the 2023 runner-up revealed that a 40-hour journey from El Salvador left her exhausted as she went straight from the airport to compete. Now recovered, she has firmly positioned herself as a title contender. French riders Marine Kerdreux and Camille Dubrana also advanced, with Dubrana earning applause for her exceptional cutback combinations.
Iballa Ruano Eyes Another Title
Two-time world champion Iballa Ruano had already secured her spot in the quarterfinals during Tuesday’s heats. Her next challenge will be a one-on-one duel against young Cádiz native Julieta Rodríguez-Villamil, who has emerged as a promising talent in her first Gran Canaria appearance despite competing in the Under-21 category. Rodríguez-Villamil acknowledged Ruano as her primary inspiration in the sport.
Argentina’s Luchy Cosoleto, a two-time world champion and third-place finisher in 2023, also shone with a stellar performance. Meanwhile, Japanese sisters Sakura and Kaede Inoue advanced, continuing their rivalry with Ruano after Kaede’s runner-up finish last year.
Men’s Heats Deliver Thrills
In the men’s division, Round 3 featured a thrilling contest among three of the sport’s best stylists. Brazil’s reigning world champion Luis Diniz displayed patience and precision, waiting for the perfect wave. Frenchman Benoit Carpentier dominated early with vertical, dynamic moves, scoring 15.07 points. Though Bachelet made a valiant effort, his rivals’ legendary status proved too much. Diniz secured his quarterfinal spot with an aggressive final-minute maneuver, earning 9.53 points.
Other quarterfinalists include Brazil’s Wellington Reis and Guillermo Robledo, the Spanish national champion. South Americans Sebastián Gómez and Maximilian Torres also advanced, eliminating Felipe Marden, a Brazilian who has become a local favorite after living in Gran Canaria’s Guanarteme neighborhood for years. Japan’s Taka Inoue and Leonardo Giménez rounded out the quarterfinal lineup.
Looking Ahead
The Paddle Surf World Championship can be followed online at 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.
