Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou's start to the year surfing was the most read article this 2021 on DUKEsurf.com, receiving more than 18.000 visits.

In the review of the 10 most read articles, as is often the case, there was no shortage of bad news such as the death of Oscar Serra in Puerto Escondido, that of Kathy Díaz when she entered the water in La Bocana and that of the legendary Argentine, Carlitos di Pace while surfing in Mexico.

RELATED: The 10 most read of 2020

Live coverage of the ISA World Cup in El Salvador made the list, as did Peter Mel's wave of the decade at Mavericks, and criticism from Puerto Rican local legend Jose Ramirez on how rescues should be carried out, among others, made it into the top 10 below.

1: The Uruguayan president started 2021 surfing a good south swell in La Paloma

2021 began in Uruguay with a strong southerly swell entering and the president of that country, Luis Lacalle Pou, took advantage to go into the water.

The photo of him surfing the classic left at Los Botes, taken by Lea Borba, went around the world.

2: Peter Mel surfed the wave of the decade yesterday at Mavericks

On January 8, 2021, Mavericks broke absolutely perfectly and Peter Mel was in the right place at the right time to get down and tube the heaviest section of the quintessential Californian big wave.

He eventually won the XXL award for wave of the year and regained recognition as one of the best big riders in history.

3: The Uruguayan first lady also surfs

A viral photo of Lorena Ponce de León with a bodyboard, next to her husband, President Luis Lacalle Pou, and the confirmation that she surfs with a bodyboard, was another of the news that sparked interest among DUKE readers. Another of many notes published on the portal related to the Uruguayan presidential family that had many visits.

4: Spanish surfer Oscar Serra passed away today in Puerto Escondido

The Spanish surfing community was shaken by the sad news of the death of Valencia local, traveller and much-loved surfer Óscar Serra in Zicatela on Saturday 17 July.

"This morning a warrior of the sea left us while surfing Zicatela," said local Coco Nogales. His friend Miguel Castrillón recalled: "Zicatela, you gave me the best day of my life and today you have given me the worst day of my life, this is a real nightmare."

 

 

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5: After a dramatic rescue, the legendary Puerto local, Jose Ramirez, criticized and advised schools and apprentices

One of Puerto Escondido's most respected locals and lifeguards was critical of surfing schools, board rental companies and novice surfers who venture into dangerous seas, risking their lives and those of rescuers.

“(Just) give them a few lessons, don't tell them they can surf on their own,” he wrote in an Instagram post that shows a dramatic rescue.

6: Watch the Surf City ISA World Surfing Games live here

The historic ISA World Championships held in El Salvador, which determined the last Olympic qualifiers, had a great impact.

The broadcast of the same, embedded in DUKE, received almost 5.000 views.

You can watch the replay here.

7: Katherine Díaz, member of the Salvadoran surf team, passed away

Young Katherine Díaz died tragically on March 20 after being struck by lightning while entering the water to train in the waves at her home, in La Bocana de El Tunco.

Díaz was training for the important ISA World Championships that took place later in May in El Salvador.

The news shook the world and Latin America especially, where she had many friends.

8: Medina and Tatiana Weston Webb left the World Cup in El Salvador

A controversial move by several CT surfers who abandoned the ISA World Championship in El Salvador after complying with the rule of being present at the event.

Medina and Weston Webb's was the first of several other casualties and one of the most notable.

9: Legendary Argentine surfer Carlitos di Pace passed away

A wipeout on a mediocre day at the busy Mexican beach break of Pascuales took the life of one of Latin America's most respected watermen.

Di Pace had been a member of the Argentine national team, an Argentine national champion and a respected big wave surfer with several Hawaiian seasons under his belt.

His death left Latin America in shock.

10: Legendary Uruguayan surfer Jordi Rossi passed away

Jordi Rossi, who was considered the surfer with the longest time in the water in Uruguay, passed away on January 20th, he was 62 years old.

Rossi was a retired lifeguard, much loved by the local surfing community and was also the son of the father of Uruguayan surfing, Vispo Rossi.

With him also went one of the most important memories of surfing in the country because he saw it all.