Lucca Mesinas and Melanie Giunta were chosen as the best surfers of the year in Latin America in a new edition of the DUKE Hispano-American Surf Awards in which the winners are chosen by the vote of the most outstanding surfers in the region.

Both also won the award for best competitor, in the case of Messinas by a wide margin and in the case of Melanie sharing first place with Leilani McGonagle.

The other categories were won by various surfing personalities from the region.

The young Martín Fuenzalida was the most voted as a big wave surfer, Alan Cleland as the best in tubes, Nono Pereira as the best in small waves, Sebastián Williams as the best in aerials, Thiago Passeri and Catalina Zariquiey were considered the best juniors, Piccolo Clemente and Mafer Reyes as the best longboarders.

By far, FENTA was considered the best surfing federation in the region, Diego Naranjo and Martín Passeri tied for best coaches, Darío Milano won as best shaper and Rip Curl as best brand.

There were a good number of categories, mainly female, in which the blank vote won; if it had not been for this, Isabella Gómez would have won in big waves, Sol Aguirre in tubes, Daniella Rosas in small waves and in aerials, Sebastián Williams and Leilani Aguirre as best free surfers, Alan Cleland the award for best clip of the year and best career, Roger Castillero would have been considered the best leader and Gianni Landolfi the best judge.

The following 33 surfers voted: Martín Ottado, Julián Schweizer, Óscar Guzman, Manny Resano, Martín Passeri, Sean Pearson, Candelaria Resano, Miguel Tudela, Lucca Mesinas, Kai Gale, Tao Rodríguez, Romeo Chávez, Maxi Sáenz, Simón Salazar, Jefferson Tascón , Luis María Iturria, Bryan Pérez, Génesis Borja, Lorena Fica, María Fernanda Reyes, Manuel Selman, Franco Radziunas, Sol Aguirre, Darshan Antequera, JJ López, Marco Giorgi, Agustín Cedeño, Marcelo Castellanos, Victor Camarena, Lele Usuna, Nadav Attar, Summer Sivori and Melanie Giunta.

The sample contains some of the undisputed best surfers in the region, considering different countries, ages and specialties in the water.

Below are the detailed results:

MALE SURFER OF THE YEAR: LUCCA MESINAS

His recent Pan American gold medal, his second in a row, and his qualification for Paris 2024, in addition to having seen him again in the challenger series, seem to have been the key to Lucca's victory.

However, his victory was very narrow, by one vote, he was behind Alan Cleland who won the world championship and also qualified for Paris 2024.

Several surfers appreciated the enormous dominance that Miguel Tudela had at the beginning of the year and at the end of last year, when he managed to win five consecutive events, something never achieved before, and for this reason, among other things, they voted for him.

1st Lucca Messinas 39,5%
2nd Alan Cleland 36,5%
3rd Miguel Tudela 9%

FEMALE SURFER OF THE YEAR: MELANIE GIUNTA

If anyone is wondering how much weight the ALAS tour has lately, well, here is the answer. Melanie Giunta had a good showing in the QS but stood out too much in the ALAS, which she won with a golden seal in her last two stages in Guatemala and El Salvador.

The best on the continent voted for her over the Challenger competitors, Leilani in second and Sol in third.

1st Melanie Giunta 24,5%
2nd Leilani McGonagle 21,5%
3rd Sol Aguirre and blank vote 12%

BEST MALE BIG WAVE SURFER: MARTÍN FUENZALIDA

They say, quite rightly, that a wave can change your life and that was the case for Martín Fuenzalida, who had already been riding waves in Punta de Lobos but rose to world fame after surfing what was probably the best wave ever ridden in Punta de Lobos.

The recognition of Ramón and Cristian is clear and an important highlight for Chile's big wave movement, three of the four at the top are from there. It's no small feat.

1st Martin Fuenzalida 16%
2nd Ramón Navarro and blank vote 12%
3rd Cristian Merello and Cristobal de Col 9%

BEST WOMAN IN BIG WAVES: THE BLANK VOTE WON, ISABELLA GOMEZ WAS SECOND

The blank votes are very interesting, 33 experienced surfers voted and they cannot mention it and therefore this one ends up winning. No less recognition is given to the Colombian Isabella Gómez and the Chilean Dominique Charrier who descends Punta de Lobos giant and was applauded for doing so.

1st Blank Vote 39,5%
2nd Isabella Gomez 33,5%
3rd Dominque Charrier 18%

 

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BEST MAN IN THE TUBES: ALAN CLELAND

Alan Cleland's surfing at home in Hawaii in the well-publicised film Repeater; that courage and nose for tubes earned him the award from his peers for best tube rider.

Two beasts finished on the podium: Tudela and Del Castillo.

Best man in the tubes
1nd Alan Cleland 33,5%
2rd Miguel Tudela 16%
3rd Joaquin del Castillo 12%

 

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BEST WOMAN IN THE TUBES: SHE WON THE BLANK VOTE WITH SOL AGUIRRE IN SECOND PLACE

Almost half of the voters were unable to name the best female tube rider and so the blank vote won. Sol Aguirre, who had a very good performance at the ISA camp in Teahupoo, which comes from the land of tubes in northern Peru, was the most voted. Leilani rounded out the podium.

1st Blank Vote 48,5%
2nd Sol Aguirre 15,5%
3nd Leilani McGonagle 9%

BEST MALE COMPETITOR: LUCCA MESINAS

One of the categories that was won by the most ease, for a reason the CT announcers call Lucca “the mashina”. The Peruvian is incapable of making a series below 11 to 13 points and it is very difficult to beat him by anyone. He got 61% of the votes and the second, Cleland got 9%.

1st Lucca Messinas 61%
2nd Alan Cleland 9%
3rd Miguel Tudela, Bryan Pérez and Lolo Bellorin 6% each

BEST FEMALE COMPETITOR: LEILANI MCGONAGLE AND MELANIE GIUNTA

They are both fierce and both had good competitive years and the voting shows the respect they have for them as experienced and talented competitors.

Daniella Rosas and Sol Aguirre rounded out the podium.

1st Leilani McGonagle and Melanie Giunta 27,5%
2nd Daniella Rosas 24%
3rd Sol Aguirre and blank vote 6%

THE BEST IN SMALL WAVES: NONO PEREIRA

Nono is an animal in small waves and it seems that everyone knows it. He comes from Venezuela, is of small build and has an impressive surfing style… It's hard to beat that.

1st Nono Pereira 21,5%
2nd Blank Vote 18,5%
3st Lucca Messinas 12%

THE BEST IN SMALL WAVES: SHE WON THE BLANK VOTE WITH DANIELLA ROSAS IN SECOND PLACE

Another category in which almost half of the voters did not know who to put. Daniella Rosas, who has had good performances in heavy waves (like the gold in Lima 2019) has also stood out in small waves (like the CS in Huntington this year) with that magical carbon fiber board.

Melanie Giunta, who is very good in heavy waves, was also recognized for her surfing in small waves and closed the podium.

1st Blank Vote 40%
2nd Daniella Rosas 18%
3st Melanie Giunta 12%

THE BEST IN THE AIR: SEBASTIAN WILLIAMS

Mexican Sebastian Williams was recognized for his beastly aerials that he does in all kinds of conditions and in all colors and variations. It won't be long before he does them on switch.

Bryan Pérez and his top-notch performances on Instagram came in second and Miguel Tudela third.

1st Sebastian Williams 27,5%
2nd Bryan Perez 21,5%
3rd Miguel Tudela 9%

THE BEST IN AIR: BLANK VOTE WITH DANIELLA ROSAS IN SECOND PLACE

The most successful blank vote was this one; 70% of voters found it difficult to point out a good female aerialist. In second place, with two votes, was Daniella Rosas.

1nd Blank Vote 70%
2nd Daniella Rosas 6%
3rd Mimi Barona, Brisa Hennessy and Catalina Zariquiey 3% each

BEST YOUNG MAN OF THE YEAR: THIAGO PASSERI

The recognition of impressive surfing at an incredibly young age. Thiago Passeri has really taken off this year and who knows where his limits are and that's what's most frightening. You could easily say that he has CT potential. He has a good head and a family that knows the game of professional surfing.

ALAS champion Maxi Sáenz and Noel de la Torre rounded out the podium.

1st Thiago Passeri 44%
2nd Maxi Saenz 15%
3rd Noel de la Torre 12%

BEST YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR: CATALINA ZARIQUIEY

Another one whose talent knows no bounds and who never ceases to surprise at such a young age. She also likes to compete and has the support of her family. She has a complete set of maneuvers, knows how to surf point and beach break waves and only has time and space to continue improving.

Cande Resano, who won a medal at the ISA World Championships, followed.

Best female youth
1st Catherine Zariquiey 32%
2nd Candelaria Resano 18%
3st Blank Vote 12%

 

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BEST MALE FREE SURFER: HE WON THE BLANK VOTE WITH SEBASTIÁN WILLIAMS IN SECOND PLACE

Something that caught the attention: In a surfing world that values ​​the professional free surfer highly (see Stab's list of the 100 favorite surfers of its readers), it was not easy to vote for a surfer and the blank vote won.

Anyone who wants to find a niche market in Latin America should grab the twin fin and travel the world, which will surely get followers and sponsors.

Two who always stand out in free surfing: Seba Williams and Cristobal de Col completed the podium.

1st Blank Vote
2st Sebastian Williams 12%
3rd Christopher Columbus 9%

 

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BEST WOMAN FREE SURFING: SHE WON THE BLANK VOTE WITH LEILANI AGUIRRE IN SECOND PLACE

The 33 voters had a very difficult time choosing a favorite Hispanic-American free surfer (another market opportunity) and the blank vote ended up winning again.

Leilani Aguirre, Sol's sister, who was a competitor, then a pop singer and now dedicates herself to enjoying life, was valued with two votes and ended up in second place in the category.

1st Blank Vote 73%
2nd Leilani Aguirre 6%
3rd Lisbeth Vindas, Faviola Alcalá, Pacha Light, Jessica Anderson, Natalie Bernold and Rubiana Brownell 3%

BEST MEN'S LONGBOARDER: PICCOLO CLEMENTE

The multiple world champion and legend of the sport worldwide was recognized once again. His Uruguayan friend, Julián Schweizer, came close but finished second by two votes.

1st Little Clement 30,5%
2nd Julian Schweizer 24,5%
3nd Blank Vote 15%

BEST WOMEN'S LONGBOARDER: MARIA FERNANDA REYES

The best in the region recognized the Peruvian, a member of the elite and finalist in the ISA World Cup, as the best in the region by a large margin: 58%.

Curiously, with the growth of the discipline, second place went to the blank vote and in third place came Costa Rican Lía Hermosa Díaz, who was a bronze medalist in Santiago 2023 and the voters knew how to recognize it.

1st Maria Fernanda Reyes 58%
2st Blank Vote 18%
3rd Lia Diaz 12%

CLIP OF THE YEAR: BLANK VOTE WITH ALAN CLELAND ON REPEATER IN SECOND

A critique of Latin American audiovisual production? Perhaps that victory of the blank vote is.

Alan Cleland's performances in Quik's videos, especially the highly-regarded Repeater, which he stars in, placed him in second place.

That incredible sea in Cahuil was tied for third place with what Alonso Correa did in his Stab Edit of the Year.

1nd Blank Vote 25%
2nd Alan Cleland 18%
3rd Cahuil by Localobos and Alonso Correa 9% each

LIFETIME AWARD: BLANK VOTE WITH ALAN CLELAND IN SECOND PLACE

Another criticism for voters and those voted for. The person who has had a long and prolific career must be given credit and it is time to honour him. Perhaps DUKE failed to explain this too.

World champion Alan Cleland came in second and Melanie Giunta in third.

1nd Blank Vote 31%
2nd Alan Cleland 15%
3rd Melanie Giunta 9%

AWARD FOR THE BEST FEDERATION IN HISPANIC AMERICA: FENTA - PERU

The Peruvian federation was recognized by 15 of 33 contests from different parts of the region as the best in Latin America. The treatment that Peruvian athletes receive when facing international competitions, having the High Performance Center, and scholarships seem to have been some of the keys to Fenta winning by a wide margin in this category.

1st National Surfing Federation (Peru) 46%
2st Blank Vote 30%
3rd Salvadoran Surf Federation (El Salvador) 6%

BEST COACH: MARTÍN PASSERI AND DIEGO NARANJO

Two professionals from the same generation became the winners of a category that was very competitive, among the 33, 15 coaches were voted for. Naranjo and Passeri had the advantage with four votes each.

1st Diego Naranjo, Martin Passeri and blank vote 12,5% ​​each
2nd Chifle Pérez del Castillo, Cristóbal de Col, Gabriel Aramburu, Luis Eduardo Escudero, Magnum Martínez and Mario Gambellini 6% of votes each
3rd Marcelo Castellano, Pablo Bonilla, Miguel Maturana, Paki Gale, Gerald Álvarez and Javier Swayne 3%

BEST FEDERATION LEADER: HE WON THE BLANK VOTE WITH ROGER CASTILLERO IN SECOND PLACE

Could it be that surfers are disappointed with surfing politicians? That is what the results of this survey show: 58% did not want to or did not know how to name a federation leader.

Panamanian Roger Castillero, former president of his federation and new vice president of PASA, came in second. Karín Sierralta and Richard Navarrete of Peru came in third, tied.

1nd Blank Vote 58%
2nd Roger Castillero 9%
3rd Karín Sierralta and Richard Navarrete 6%

THE BEST SHAPER OF 2023: DARIO MILANO

Consistent and persistent work, a large, international, strong team that tests and approves, seem to have been the key to the victory of Dario Milano who won by a wide margin, with 11 votes; the blank vote was nine and Rodolfo Klimax two votes.

1st Dario Milano 34%
2nd Blank Vote 27%
3rd Rodolfo Klimax 6%

BEST BRAND 2023: RIP CURL

The spirit of this section was to vote for local brands, but it seems to have been misunderstood. Rip Curl won in a tie with the majority of blank votes. Quik and Roxy came in second and O'Neill in third.

1st Rip Curl and blank vote 21,5% each
2nd Quiksilver/Roxy 12%
3rd O'Neill 9%

BEST JUDGE: WON THE BLANK VOTE WITH GIANNI LANDOLFI IN SECOND PLACE

The region seems not to know the judges of the championships, although there was a tendency among many to recognize two of them by name and surname: the Italian-Nicaraguan Gianni Landolfi, who placed second, and the Peruvian Flavio Solari, who placed third.

best judge
1nd Blank Vote 30,5%
2nd Gianni Landolfi 24,5%
3rd Flavio Solari 15%