Basque surfers Eneko Acero and Natxo González have once again made the podium at the Silver Dragon Shootout, an international event held on a wave generated by the abrupt change of tide in the Qiantang River, as it passes through the giant city of Hangzhou, the tournament's press reported on its Instagram account.

The Basques had been champions last year but this year they were unable to beat Koby Aberton and Dean Morrison of Australia. Third place went to the United States team made up of Alex Gray and Anthony Walsh.

“Second place in the Silver Dragon Shootout. It’s been a fun week in China where we all had a lot of fun together. Congratulations to Australians Dean Morrison and Koby Aberton for the win, who’s paying for the beers today?” wrote Natxo González about the result on his Instagram.

Meanwhile, Eneko wrote: “Special thanks to Natxo González who is the best teammate I could have. I am very happy with our second place. It was a  amazing tournament, thanks to Silver Dragon, “you are the best!”

The duo took home $10.000 for the result.

Other couples taking part in the event included Jamie Sterling and Mikala Jones from Hawaii, Charly Quivront and Romain Lauhle from France, Rafael Diaz and JP Simonsen from Brazil, Tipi Jabrick and Pepen Hendrik from Indonesia, Dale Staples and Billy Payne from South Africa and a local team.

The event was broadcast live on Chinese national television and had an audience of thousands sitting in stands overlooking the river.