Swells gave life to a “natural Olympic stadium” of surfing in Punta de Lobos – 2024-07-30 22:24:48

On Sunday, a swell hit the Chilean coast. Right now, Pichilemu is preparing for the traditional international big wave championship “Lobos Por Siempre”, so the best big wave riders in the country are surfing in Punta de Lobos, such as Ramón Navarro, Martín Fuenzalida and Dominique Charrier, and even some outstanding international riders such as the American Katie McConnell.

One of those who has taken a leading role in these swells prior to the realization of “Lobos Por Siempre”, who is waiting for a swell with perfect conditions for its realization, with a waiting time until August, is Dominique Charrier. “Last week I had the chance to surf a big wave. Yesterday, at approximately 8 AM, sets with waves of 5 to 7 meters began to come in, and something was achieved,” said the Team Chile athlete, who intends to become a professional in the world of big waves, despite her young age of 21, since most of the big wave riders are athletes with more experience.

Despite the cold and wind that characterize the southern coastal area in winter, tourists and locals from Pichilemu came to watch this spectacle that nature offers in the Punta de Lobos Park, taking advantage of seeing the athletes ride large waves, from the same seats installed in Paris 2024. “This is wonderful. For someone who does not have the resources to travel to Europe, being able to enjoy sports in this unique place in the world and even just getting a little bit of what the Olympic Games are like,” said Cristian Undurraga, a tourist who came from Santiago to visit Punta de Lobos with his partner and daughter this weekend.

It is worth remembering that “Lobos Por Siempre” is an invitational event, so check out the participating athletes who are waiting for the perfect conditions.

SURFERS CONFIRMED IN LOBOS FOREVER

These are: Alejandro Fuenzalida (CHI); Ben Wilkinson (AUS); Bianca Valenti (USA); Cristian Merello (CHI); Cristobal de Col (PER); Cristofher Tapia (CHI); Diego Fabres (CHI); Diego Medina (CHI); Dominique Charrier (CHI); Emily Erickson (HAW); Gabriel Villaran (PER); Greg Long (USA); Hector Vargas (CHI); Jessica Anderson (CHI); Justine Dupont (FRA); Kai Lenny (HAW); Katie McConnell (USA); Kohl Christensen (HAW); Laura Enever (AUS); Leon Vicuña (CHI); Lucas Chumbo (BRA); Mark Healey (HAW); Martin Fuenzalida (CHI); Morrison Tapia (CHI); Natalia Escobar (CHI); Nathan Florence (HAW); Natxo Gonzalez (PV- ESP); Patricio Mekis (CHI); Pedro Calado (NRA); Ramon Navarro (CHI); Reinaldo Ibarra (CHI), and; Tony Laureano (POR).

There are also other surfers who are alternatives. The list is made up of: Geraldine Pavez (CHI); Sofia Borquez (CHI); Flick Palmateer (AUS); Raquel Heckert (BRA); Michaela Fregonese (BRA); Paige Alms (HAW); Matias Guerrero (CHI); Christopher Hatton (CHI); Federico Mekis (CHI); Guillermo Satt (CHI); Guillermo Leoni (CHI); Francisco Veliz (CHI); Jacob Araya (CHI); Manuel Fuenzalida (CHI); Nicolas Padilla (CHI); Roberto Ilufín (CHI); Uti Araki (CHI); German Varas (CHI); Roger Ramirez (MEX); Frank Solomon (ZA); Manny Resano (NIC); Tom Caroll (AUS); Marcial Monreal (MEX); Tom Lowe (ENG); Jafet Ramos (MEX); Francisco Porcella (HAW); Ian Walsh (HAW); Luca Padua (USA).