Triumph and Tragedy at Air Tahiti Nui Billabong Pro
The infamous reef pass Teahupo’o has come to life this past weekend as 32 surfers fought tooth and nail for two wildcards into Stop 7 of 11 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Teahupo’o is known for its deadly reef brakes creating a tremendous wave recognized as the biggest of them all.
Six to eight foot (2 metres plus) dangerous barrels exploded onto razor sharp reef, putting the 32 tube riding specialists to the test, as Tuamata Puhetini and Nathan Hedge (AUS) finished 1st and 2nd respectively to win wildcards into the prestigious Billabong Pro Tahiti. But with the reward came the risk — Kevin Bourez (PYF), younger brother of ASP WCT No. 5 Michel Bourez, suffered an horrific wipeout, going head first into the reef. The doctor informed event organizers that Kevin is in a stable condition, following four hours of surgery from multiple head fractures as well as deep facial lacerations. He’s being monitored closely and more information about his injury and recovery will be available in the next 24 hours. Despite leaving the event in an ambulance, Kevin won the heat and was one of the favorites to win the Air Tahiti Nui Billabong Pro Trials.
The legendary freestyle windsurfing event on lake Neusiedl is back! Since 1998 the best Freestyle Windsurfers in the world travel down to the Austrian water sports capital to compete in the European Freestyle Pro Tour. This edition, taking place
between the 27th of April and the 1st of May, will be…
What is a bad day for one might be a good one for another and it was a day for the Tahitians with Tuamata Puhetini taking the win. “The surf was fantastic today!” Puhetini said. “I can’t believe I won it again, everyone was surfing very well. I won the Trials in 2010 and it was a great experience, and I’m really looking forward to taking on the best guys out there in the Billabong Pro.”
the winner - Tuamata Puhetini
Well, we wish him best of luck and Kevin Bourez a full recovery to return to the ocean some time soon.
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The first of 16 GKA Kite World Tour events begins in Cape Verde this month.
Ten islands make up the archipelago of Cabo Verde which lies two hours south of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, due to their geographical location the islands are frequented with pumping swell and trade winds.
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Wipeout
