PWA windsurfing World Cup – El Médano 2018

This summer elite water sportsmen and sportswomen came together again on the beach of El Médano in the south of Tenerife. From August 5th to 11th and for the eighth year in a row the PWA windsurfing World Cup took place in the discipline “waves”. Challenging the laws of physics, more than 70 people from more than 18 different countries participated: 48 men, 19 women and 17 new talents in the junior category – all athletes who practise this demanding water sport with love and passion.

Windsurfing World Championship in El Médano

The coastal town of El Médano was full of life this month as hundreds of people gathered to watch the spectacle. Councilor for Tourism, Maria Candelaria Rodriguez, said that El Médano is “one of the best destinations for water sports of this kind”, and the participating men and women proved that with their breathtaking jumps. El Médano and the area of El Cabezo have always been a meeting place for this sport due to the length of the beach and the constant strong winds – simply a paradise for windsurfing! In addition, it is a wonderful place to enjoy the typical Canarian cuisine, with fresh fish and seafood. Tenerife has excellent beaches for windsurfers, such as Playa de Las Américas and La Tejita.

The PWA World Cup Tenerife was presented by the mayor, José Domingo Regalado, the head of the Sports Club and organiser of the event, Daniel Bruch, the Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Canary Islands Government (Gobierno de Canarias), Cristóbal de la Rosa, Deputy President and Tourism Adviser of the Government of Tenerife (Cabildo de Tenerife), Alberto Bernabé, and the Councilor for Tourism, María Candelaria Rodriguez.

The opening of the event took place on August 5th with a rhythmic parade of Bloko del Valle. Under applause of the public, the participants presented themselves with the flags of the countries represented by them.

Adrenaline and emotion to the end

The youngest were the first to participate in the competition on Monday afternoon. María Morales (Médano) and Alexia Kiefer Quintana (Gran Canaria) started first. Alexia won this heat by a hair. In the male sub 13, Tobias Bjorna (Denmark) and Carlos Kiefer (Gran Canaria) faced their jumps; Tobias beat Carlos. In the sub 17, Julia Pascuale (Pozo Izquierdo), Mar de Arce Sánchez and Alexia Kiefer competed against each other, Julia became first, Alexia second and Mar third. The male sub 17 was held in two parts. In the first heat, the Japanese Takuma won, second place gained Jose Casanova and the third took Adrián. In the second heat, Marino Pascuale from Gran Canaria gained the first place ahead of Mike Friedl and Aaron Leonard, who finished third. In the sub 20 Tessa Nikki Coraline and Julia Pascuale competed, Julia was first.

The two qualifying finals were really exciting. The champions Iballa Ruano and Víctor Fernández were crowned in the women’s and men’s categories respectively. Sarah-Quita Offringa was first in the women’s category, followed by Iballa Ruano, second, Daida Ruano and Sniady with the third and fourth place respectively. In the men’s category, Lewis qualified with a wonderful second place and places three and four took Campello and Stone. Last year’s winner, Philip Köster, surprised with his elimination as he could not overcome Campello. Nevertheless, he left us some incredible memories. The huge waves and jumps really gave the audience in El Cabezo a tremendous spectacle.

Congratulations to the winners and of course to all participants, organisers and staff. In the meantime, until the world championship takes place again next year, we just go on windsurfing or try other sports. Because here in the south of Tenerife you can enjoy the sun, the beach, the water, the wind and the waves all year round. Until next year!

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