The youth tournament that excited all Argentine surfing

This is how this new edition of the quintessential junior competition began, which is the hotbed of national surfing and which meant the second date of the circuit that oversees the Argentine Surfing Association (HANDLE). Two intense and long days of pure surfing, with a record of 130 entries and five categories in both branches (men’s and women’s, see results) that ratified that, due to the quantity and quality, the future of this sport is in very good hands.

“This new generation is clearer about what they want and who can accompany them in their development. There are coaches, events, schools and, above all, examples within reach to create and project a sports career”explained Martín Passeri, the maximum champion of the national tournament -six times- who has been a pioneer in the professionalism of this sport in the country in the 90s and is still in force at 46 years old, as a surfer but also, for years, as a coach (of Team Quiksilver-Roxy) and director of the High Performance Center (CEEIS) in Honu.

El Guerrero also reflected on the special conditions that the sea had, especially on the first day, and how the young people he knows so well developed.

“The fact of having had several events in the year, with many juniors competing in the Open and in any condition, training with the National Team, getting into very difficult spots like La Paloma thinking about running the Quik tournament, which is the toughest, I think it helped them to cross the threshold of demand. In the event they were all solid: the M18s broke it and the rest were very good, facing long paddles against the current and waves of two meters breaking with great force. They not only withstood the challenge of such a sea but also showed progressive surfing with forceful maneuvers”analyzed.

“It was an incredible day, with epic waves for what Mardel is, with excellent wind conditions. I have experience and I went into the sea to test it, because I had my doubts if some boys and girls could enter, but not only did they do it but they caught waves and completed very interesting maneuvers. In such a demanding situation, a lot of physical and technical condition is needed. And they showed that they have it, that they are on a great path, that the junior circuit is very competitive and that the future of Argentine surfing is promising “was the opinion of Walter Villalba, former competitor -16 years in the national circuit, Argentine representative in the Pan American Games- and current ASA judge who was in the tournament.

“We score aggressiveness, combined with fluidity and control, and we get nice surprises. All the judges were waiting to see what the boys could do, especially some small ones, very light, and we left very happy. Because, furthermore, it is not that they did it in a free-surf session with friends but in a scoring tournament, with time in each heat”, Hill. Maxi Siri, a five-time national champion, went further. “It was one of the best junior tournaments I can remember, with great quality waves and especially surfers. Today I dare to say that the ‘Argentine storm’ is coming”, he said in clear reference to the famous Brazilian Storm that currently dominates the WSL elite tour.

This Young Guns, which was presented by Ford and Ala Moana Surfshop, had as winners, in M18, Ignacio Ruggiero (men) and Cocó Cianciarulo (women). She, with the usual accompaniment of her father, Señor Flavio, the famous musician who was the bassist for the Cadillacs, once again dominated with her power surfing, as she has been doing for four years. Until 2020 she was champion of both M18 and M16, while last year she repeated in M18 – she could no longer run in M16-. Now the star surfer of Roxy Argentina is the leader after two dates. The maximum winner of the date, the same, was Thiago Passeri, the son of Martín, who at 13 years old continues to dominate in two categories: M14 and M16.

“I started the date as just another tournament and it ended up being my best competition. It was amazing. Because of the results, of course, because winning two categories feels incredible, but also because of the great wave conditions, because of my surfing, as well as the good vibes and support from my friends and family from the beach. Being at home, in Honu, also made it special, as well as having been able to enjoy a new great edition of the tournament. It is my fifth and without a doubt it ended up being the most special of all”admitted the purrete who stands out for his energy and competitiveness.

“Yes, I love to wear myself out, get tired, run a lot of heats and compete all the time”explains who in that is very much like his father. “Thiago’s point is that he likes to surf, he gets into the water a lot, we look at his images and he is self-critical and challenges motivate him”Martin explained. “It’s true, I love to get involved. I do it every day, from two to four times, if it is very nice. It is also true that we watch videos, he corrects me and we are talking all the time about surfing, we share everything… If you ask me what makes me special, it is having him. Not everyone has that privilege that I take advantage of… And, as I said, also being so passionate about this sport, having that perseverance to get into the sea and being able to enjoy being very competitive”, he analyzed.

There is no longer any doubt as to why all Argentine surfing ended up excited after witnessing this new date of the junior circuit.

Results

Skimmers:

1. Raphael Minicelli
2. Santiago Prensky
3. Lucas Marucci
4. Theo Sesana Burgos

Skimmers:

1. Aymara Ricardone
2. miracle parody
3. Emma Manucci
4. Moira Crego

M12 males:

1. Facundo Ruggiero
2. Tahiel Sosa
3. Faustino Llorca
4. Simon Siri

Women M12:

1. Lua Daleo
2. Augustine Paggi
3. Kiara Gonzalez and Jazmin Corvera

M14 males:

1. Thiago Passeri
2. Joaquin Munoz Larreta
3. Francisco Cosoleto
4. Baltazar Llorca

Women M14:

1. Victoria Munoz Larreta
2. katya wirsch
3. Lua Daleo
4. Victoria Munoz Larreta

M16 males:

1. Thiago Passeri
2. Joaquin Munoz Larreta
3. Francisco Cosoleto
4. John Garcia Mata

Women M16:

1. Vera Jarisz
2. Victoria Munoz Larreta
3. katya wirsch
4. Lucia Galindo

M18 males:

1. Ignatius Ruggiero
2. Manuel Torreani
3. Theo Rodriguez
4. Thomas Goransky

Ladies M18:

1. Coco Cianciarulo
2. Vera Jarisz
3. Victoria Munoz Larreta
4. Athina Scarillo