After the marathon QS in Caparica, Portugal, it is now the turn of the Basque Country and all eyes are on Zarautz. Many have already travelled the nearly 1000 kilometres that separate both towns in cars and a large number are flying in from Barbados after the QS in the Caribbean. The forecasts for the week are close to perfect and the level of the competitors will be spectacular once again.

What follows is everything you need to know to enjoy the event that begins tomorrow, informed.

1.- WHERE

Zarautz is a small Basque town located on the northeast coast of Spain, famous for its waves, surf culture and exceptional cuisine. It is considered one of the main surfing quarries in the country, from where, despite its size, a long list of professional surfers have emerged, such as former CT Aritz Aranburu, Hodei Collazo, and big names like Axi Muniain or Ibon Amatriain.  and the new generations with Iker and Adur Amatriain or Keoni Lasa.

Such is the level and class of its surfers that this town has often been compared to the irreducible Gauls Asterix and Obelix who obtained their special abilities from a druid who, in this case, could be the chef Karlos Arguiñano.

2.-WHEN

From Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th April (time in Zarautz is GMT+2)

3.-THE WAVE

Zarautz beach is known for its long and manoeuvrable waves, both left and right, and, as we have seen in recent days, the seabed is in very good condition, which, together with a nice part of waves, promises to offer a great setting throughout the event.

4.-THE PART

Once again, optimal conditions are expected throughout the competition period, with a fairly strong swell entering on Wednesday, which will gradually decrease and become more organized during Thursday. The wind will be offshore and there is a possible entry of a second swell on Saturday for the final stretch of the event.

“It seems that both the waves and the weather will be on our side,” announced Oier Illarramendi, technical director of the Guipuzcoan Surfing Federation. “The swell will arrive on Wednesday and, from Thursday, southerly winds and waves of up to 2,5 metres are expected for the rest of the week. A priori, these are the best conditions we could expect. In addition, the sandy bottoms are very well defined with good left and right peaks that can bring out the best of Zarautz.”

5.-THE SURFERS

There are 137 surfers (99 men and 38 women) of 21 different nationalities that make up the group of confirmed competitors, among which the defending champions stand out, the current leaders of the European ranking Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) and Pauline Ado (FRA) and a group of 29 Basque surfers headed by Aritz Aranburu.

The Latin representation is well represented by world champions Nacho Gundesen (ARG), Sofía Mulanovich (PER) and Brazilians Rafael Teixeira, Pedro Nogueira and Ian Costa.

As expected, there is a large number of local participants, made up of a Spanish armada of 42 surfers.

It is worth noting the absence due to injury of Jonathan González from the Canary Islands, winner of the 2016 edition of this event and bronze medalist at the 2017 ISA World Championships.

6.-THE TITLE DEFENDERS

The winners of the previous edition in 2017, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) and Carol Henrique (PRT), will also be present looking to repeat the feat. Gony is coming off strong after reaching the final of the previous QS in Caparica where the Portuguese Carol also showed she was in good form by advancing to the semi-finals.

7.-THE WILDCARDS

We will have to keep an eye on the performance of wildcards Rubén Vitoria, Iker Amatriain, Ainara Aymat and Maddi Aizpurua, who have been demonstrating a high level of competition in recent months and, using their local knowledge, it would not be surprising if they pull off a surprise.

8.-THE ANNIVERSARY

This edition has a special reason and it is that it marks 30 years since that first edition.  from an international event that Pukas organized in 1988. Surfers such as Andy Irons, Sunny García, Martin Potter and Tom Carroll, among others, have passed through Zarautz.

That edition left its mark and this week tribute will be paid to the surfing festival in the Basque Country.

9.-PROGRAM

If there is one thing that has always characterised the Pro Zarautz, it has been the atmosphere surrounding the championship. The town of Zarautz always welcomes this event with maximum involvement and great hospitality, and this edition will be no different with a programme full of activities and parallel events.

10.- WHERE TO FOLLOW HIM?

It can be followed live from www.worldsurfleague.com, the local EITB television channel, and on social media through the hashtag #ProZarautz. You can also follow it on DUKE, which will be there in the days to come. Stay tuned to @duke_surf