“But how do they get to the sea?” Roberto, 60 years old, was passing by kilometer 9 of Route 11, saw a lot of people on the Mar del Plata cliffs and decided to stop. There he came across a surfing tournament. Actually with THE tournament. The Quiksilver La Paloma is the most prestigious, mystical and demanding of the Argentine calendar.
And the man, when he got out of the car and received the answer, was captivated. “Do they really come down here?”, he consulted, with a scared face, when he saw that dizzying descent… We are talking about almost a staircase to nothing because the sea took away the last steps of the structure. To replace them, surfers placed a rope that allows them to descend to the rocks by juggling the board. Then they walk, avoiding slipping, and from the tip they jump into the water, trying to get away quickly so that a wave does not come and hit them against the stones. Very dangerous for almost everyone, except them.
The adventure does not end there because after competing, wet and tired, they must climb another rope. All of this gives a special mystique to a tournament that is different from all of them and in this note we will address all the intrastories of a very special edition.
We are talking about the only wait at least a month to choose the two days with the best waves… This 21st edition had 40 registered, with participants from 12 to 58 years old, an unprecedented difference in Argentine sport. For all surfers it is the highlight moment, challenging themselves with the most famous break in the country, in the best condition, and in front of sponsors, shapers and the general public. And because, furthermore, as almost always happens since it is the last date of the Argentine circuit, it is the moment that crowns the two champions of the Open category. With everything that generates…
In this case it was the turn of two of the country’s new jewels, Franco Radziunas (21 years old), the pro surfer of the moment in the country, and Coco Cianciarulo (20), the daughter of the musician Mr. Flavio, who at the time swept the educational categories and now confirmed that she can also project herself among the greatest.
There were tests for everyone. And to spare. The waves, heavy and demanding, reached two meters at the best moment, something unusual on the national coast. “La Paloma is characterized by having the waves most similar to those we see abroad. It takes time and commitment to adapt to surfing them. It cost me. In this tournament, it is not so much the one who competes the best that wins, as happens more in others, but rather the one who surfs the best, the one who does it with the ABCs of surfing,” analyzed Lucas Santamaría, a historic rider who won three times in La Paloma. “Here experience has more value and more is required from the physical. You have to paddle more, the entrance is very hard and for all this you must choose your waves well,” he added. Maxi Sirifive-time national champion.
They continue competing, but it is time for another generation to step up. The one of Juan Cruz Ruggiero, again winner of the classic. The other figure of the Quiksilver team, with recent experience in heavy waves in Mexico that allowed him to record a nice documentary, demonstrated his mettle and experience despite being 22 years old. The 2022 national champion won the final against the revelation of the tournament, Tao Rodríguez, an Argentine who lives in Panama and stood out in this championship that was presented by Ford Argentina.
But the championship was, already during the first day, for Radziunas, who added the necessary points and a few hours later traveled to Brazil to compete in another tournament that brings him closer to his new goal, qualifying for the Challenger Series. Less than a month ago, in Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, he achieved a historic second place in the QS 5000 that left him well positioned for his great dream at the international level. “I am having a very nice moment in my career, the best. It really is beautiful to be Argentine champion knowing that the best surfers and references in the country throughout so many generations have the same title as me. My dad was at his time (1979) and now I can say that I share that privilege with him,” Franco summarized.
He precisely emerged on the national scene with that runner-up finish in the 2018 edition of La Paloma. “I have always gone to these tournaments, ever since my dad competed in them. I remember that the first ones on the cliffs were my first in the Open, with everything that that generates, due to the heavy waves and the presence of the best in the country. But I always liked it a lot, an extra motivation to try myself in such an important event and enjoy all its mystique, the people on the cliff, going down those stairs, climbing the rope… Everything is very special,” he commented.
For Radziunas it is the second national title in six months. As the definition of 2023 was delayed until December, precisely because the XL waves that La Paloma needs to run did not come in, they both got together, something very crazy for Franco, who as a junior suffered from not being able to win championships and now enjoys two together. “It had a lot to do with what I trusted in myself, what I continued training, dedicating myself to, when the triumphs did not come. There were difficult moments, some more than others, but I think it’s all worth it when you see that the effort is reflected in performance and results,” explained who admitted that it does not bother him that it is said that he is the new great Argentine surfer. “On the contrary, I take it as motivation to continue like this,” he said.
Cocó, Roxy’s star rider, was very excited after doing the double: winning her first Paloma and, at the same time, her first Open title. “More than waiting for it, she would say that she wanted it very much. I think I worked really hard to achieve it. She had already been runner-up on several occasions and this time she gave it to me. It was not easy. There were many years in Junior, conquering several categories and championships. But being Open is a paradigm shift.
It’s when you turn from a girl to a woman. There is a physical change, there is a mental change, there is a spiritual change, in every sense. Clearly this influences when you start competing with older people. Sometimes for the better and other times it makes the process difficult in the competition, until you adapt mentally and physically. It was a little difficult for me but I feel like I’m used to it now,” she analyzed wisely.
Cocó, who until recently divided his time between two hobbies such as skateboarding and music, as an inheritance from his father, has now added the Lifeguard course. “That took away my chance to compete outside., as I had been doing, but now I am going to return. For now, winning in the Mar del Plata surf temple such as La Paloma and being a national champion is a great motivation,” she concluded.
The new litter is already with us. And it shines with its own light in the most demanding challenges.
The best moments of an unforgettable day
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.
