The Basque Country is expecting the largest storm yet, with a possible event call for the ASP Big Wave World Tour.
A giant black blob is steamrolling its way across swell forecasts towards European shores, allowing the ASP Big Wave World Tour to announce a green light for the event kickoff at Punta Galea. Surfline is currently forecasting 40+ ft wave heights for the big wave spot in Spain’s Basque Country on Thursday and Friday. The event starts on December 11th, with a likely start of 9 am local time.
“I’m thrilled to get the Northern Hemisphere season kicked off,” said Mel in a press release. “We have been looking at storms that could see all three events in our window go off. But the biggest storm is in the Atlantic, so we head to Spain. We’re expecting huge waves for Punta Galea.”
It’s always hard to approximate size at this stage, but one thing is for sure: this storm is larger, and possibly more destructive, than last winter’s Hercules. “Plenty of swell activity all over the map this coming week,” said ASP Big Wave Commissioner Pete Mel. “Our team has been closely monitoring all variables in making our decision.”
The 24-man fields for the Punta Galea Challenge will be comprised of the ASP BWWT Top 12, lead by the World Champion, as well as six ASP wildcards and six local wildcards:
ASP BWWT Top 12:
1. Grant Baker (ZAF)
2. Ken Collins (USA)
3. Nic Lamb (USA)
4. Shawn Dollar (USA)
5. Kohl Christensen (HAW)
6. Alex Gray (USA)
7. Greg Long (USA)
8. Ryan Augenstein (USA)
9. Anthony Tashnick (USA)
10. Ramon Navarro (CHL)
11. Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
12. Tyler Fox (USA)
Punta Galea ASP BWWT Wildcards:
1. Kelly Slater (USA)
2. Billy Kemper (HAW)
3. Makua Rothman (HAW)
4. Ian Walsh (HAW)
5. Nathan Fletcher (USA)
6. Gabriel Villaran (PER)
Punta Galea Local Wildcards:
1. Adur Letamendia (EUK)
2. David Bustamente (EUK)
3. Aritz Aranburu (ESP)
4. Natxo Gonzalez (EUK)
5. Indar Unaune (EUK)
6. Jon Garay (EUK)
Watch the webcast on www.aspworldtour.com
