That was a great event. I was really excited to go to Peru for the first time as it has been on my destination list for a long time. When I heard of the Pacasmayo Classic event I knew this was the perfect reason and opportunity. This competition has a unique format and it is a true “Water-Man” challenge. This 10 day event offers competitors the opportunity to compete in many sports including SUP, longboard, kite surfing and off course, windsurfing. Each of these categories offers an Open division, a Woman and Master 40 division.

This year the event organizer joint forces with the AWT (American Windsurfing Tour), and made this completion become part of the growing championship tour series around America.

Pacasmayo offered 10 days of great conditions with glassy waves in the morning for the Longboard and SUP contest, and wind in the afternoon for the kiters and windsurfers to enjoy one of the longest waves in the world. This wave can peel down the line for as long as 2 kilometers. All the series were competing in epic contest conditions, making it an all around good vibe and big smiles for everyone coming out of the water.

All the competitors, media staff and friends were staying at the El Faro Resort facing the waves. Riders could come out of the water and jump in the pool to rinse off. Even though there were some serious and tough competitions, over all it felt more like a vacation then a contest, and with so many heats to run and a 10 day waiting period there was a lot of time to relax and get ready for your turn.

I traveled there with Miho Tanaka, one of the best female Japanese windsurfer’s at the moment, who competed in Longboarding and Windsurfing. We came 2 weeks early to take advantage of this incredible wave and to get used to the spot. This was a good move on our part as by the time the contest started we knew the spot really well, and our legs were ready to handle 20 turns in 2 minutes. On this trip Miho showed great improvement in her riding and was able to win 2nd place in both of her divisions. Tatiana Howard, Neil Pryde/Cabrinha rider from Maui was given the Water-Woman Award, as she rode her waves with style and power winning 1st in longboard, SUP, Windsurfing and making the podium in the kite division.

On my side, this light wind, down-the-line conditions were fitting my style perfectly, and I was feeling really comfortable on the water. I was able to make it to the final to finish 2nd in the event behind the young french pro-rider, Camille Juban.

Congratulation also to Neil Pryde Peru distributor Guillermo Ruiz for competing and doing well in all the categories he entered and wining the Water-Man Award.

With some prize money in our pocket after the event, Miho and I went on a cultural journey to Machu Pichu. Everyone had told us that we could not leave Peru with out going there. They were right; this is not one of the wonders of the world for nothing. The forgotten city that the Inkas had build there 800 years ago defies the laws of gravities. This was the perfect way to end our trip to Peru.

Muchos Gracias to all the people that have helped us on this trip, my buddy Kiko and Carlos in Lima, Jaime and his staff at the El Faro Resort and Carolina for helping us with some of the logistic.
This was one of the best event I’ve been to and I’m looking forward to returning to Peru next year.

Here is a link to a short video that I put together just before the event, it gives a good idea of how long the Pacasmayo wave is:

and for more information on the AWT and the Pacasmayo Classic check out their web site at :
http://americanwindsurfingtour.com/
and http://www.pacasmayoclassic.com/

Action photos by: Kevin Pritchard and Paolo Lopez
Text by Fabrice Beaux