There was quite a scene at what used to be an under-the-radar big wave spot in Northern Spain, on December 6. La Vaca Gigante, or The Gigantic Cow, breaks upon the green cliffs on the outskirts of Santander, the capital of the Cantabrian providence. La Vaca’s surfers are usually blessed with a quiet, peaceful landscape of cow pastures and horse corrals. But with the bustling city’s center just five minutes away, a crowd estimated at around nine thousand people, surfers and non-surfers alike crowded up against the cliffs to witness the spectacle they had been waiting for… and this day was, in fact, EPIC.
History-wise, La Vaca is a young wave considering that it has only been surfed since 2006, when local Cantabrian surfers Oscar Gomez and Luis Garcia discovered it. But the wave’s popularity is growing and more locals are surfing it and other waves of its size in the area. La Vaca is technically the only amateur big wave event, other than Punta Galea, which is on the World Tour. The event also has its exclusivity, being invitational and only having thirty-two spots.
The Cantabrian Surf Federation and Obsession Surf A2 were pushing advertising through social media for months, making sure that this year was going to be bigger and better for La Vaca XXL. In past years the event had had fickle conditions, small crowds and low-sponsorship. But this year, the cliffs were packed with spectators, sponsor tents, music, and (not to mention) an impressive arena for the competitors.
With solid waves all day, light offshore winds, a small tide favoring the reef, and temperatures that made us feel like it was still Summer in northern Spain, the new and improved event was adorned with even better conditions than we’d hoped for. The crowds awed at the international display of talent. The competitors caught enough waves to keep even the non-surfers entertained. In the end, the competition was a success for all. We’ll just have to hope that next year’s turnout and conditions are similar… if not better.
Results:
1st: Alex Zirke (Canaries)
2nd: Tom Butler (England)
3rd: Adur Letamendia (Basque)
Additional Awards:
Best Cantabrian: Miguel “Welshy” Gutierrez Welsh (Cantabria)
Best Wave: Nagai Puntiverio (Cantabria)
Best Wipeout: Tino Aja (Cantabria)
