The patio, with its football stadium grass, a couple of leafy trees and a mythical Hawaiian palm tree in the background. The stage prepared for a band, the screen ready, a DJ playing music for the evening, the LED lights that cross from side to side, the bar with drinks, the pop-choclero cart and a street artist doing the magic of it. All under a sky with a paradisiacal mix of colors. The ideal combo is completed with more than 300 people filling the place.
A good surfing party, in a good surfing place like Chapadmalaly in the place that became the place for meetings and enjoyment like the Ala Moana Surfshop, the place that returned to Mardel and Chapa (in 2021) after its inauguration in 1979 and is much more than a place for selling items related to surfing. surf.
But suddenly, at the best moment, when the event begins in recognition of the two of the greatest talents in surfing today, Franco Radziunas and Juan Cruz Ruggiero, last national champions, lightning makes its appearance and behind it, the rain. Given what seems to be the suspension of the gala, a good part of the audience remains in the venue, under the trees and umbrellas.
Of course, they are people of water who are not intimidated by a few drops… After 15 minutes, when the rain stops, the event resumes to complete, with two paintings given to the boys – photos of their consecrations – and two videos presented, the first of Franco in a documentary style telling his story and the other of Negro, recounting his experience in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, where he was surfing big waves with that mix of power and style that characterizes him.
It was the excuse that Quiksilver Argentina, associated with Ala Moana and Ford, found to open the summer season in Chapa. Which was added, a day before, to another meeting, between both surfers with Chino Moral (30 years old), one of the best skaters in the country, who has surfing as a hobby, and then, a couple of days later, with an event organized by Roxy, the women’s brand, with the presence of 28 girls at the Luna Roja spa, including Agustina Albertario, the Lioness who was on vacation and did not want to miss the “More Aloha Please” because she loves this sport and everything the vibe and way of life that surrounds it. There was breakfast, yoga class and greeting the sea.
“It was a very nice thing to be able to share something of our lives and generate such a beautiful atmosphere in the Ala Moana patio”Radziunas summarized what happened during the week. “I am very happy and grateful that they support us in our projects by holding an event like this, where we were able to project the ones we like the most and for people to enjoy and have a nice time. “That is priceless,” Ruggiero added.
El Negro talked about how special 2023 was. “Being able to go to Puerto Escondido, a destination I had in mind, was amazing. For the experience it meant and for having been able to realize the dream of having a good video, with big waves and good barrels,” he explained. Radziunas also focused on what was the best year of his life.
“Being Argentine champion was a dream, to be able to write my name next to so many legends. I was also able to travel, compete internationally and qualify for the Pan American Games in Santiago. I didn’t get the ticket to Paris but all the experiences I had and the places I was able to surf gave me a lot”He said that at the end of this month he will travel to Hawaii “to prepare for those waves for a month and then focus on the regional competitions to qualify for the Challenger Series,” he concluded.
Both are present and future, at 21 years old, although facing the challenges of the far from easy path of professionalism. “Living off surfing would be great (laughs), but the reality is different. In winter I am a waiter and in summer I am a lifeguard and surf instructor. Luckily the support of some companies, like Quiksilver, helps me a lot and motivates me to continue in this search,” said Negro, who already knows what he will focus on in 2024. “I would like to travel again, I don’t know where but yes. why… I would prefer to do it not so much to compete but to continue looking for good waves and putting together good material. “I would like to make a surf movie, that’s what I have in mind,” he reported.
Radziunas and Ruggiero They also enjoyed the hour they spent in the water with Chino Moral, a top skater in the country for a decade who also demonstrated his talent for surfing. “Since I was a child I started in Miramar and did both sports, but I leaned towards skateboarding because I didn’t have to come to the beach… Nowadays I get into it every now and then, now it’s been almost a year since I did it, but I loved the experience, very fun. It is always nice to come to the more and more with two beasts who helped me by acting as coaches,” Moral said.
The two surfers were surprised by the level of Chino, 30 years old and star of DC Shoes. “He acted humble to us, like he had no idea and we immediately realized that he had a clear idea.”. He was a little off the pace, but he is clearly skilled,” Franco analyzed.
Thus, officially, the surfing season was open for 2024.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
