Perfect and solid 5-6ft waves are hitting the 2011 Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro. The Round Three of the competition has been completed on the main peak of Pantin with strong cross-shore winds.

Aritz Aranburu made it look all so easy as he proceeded to tear apart the fast closing rights breaking off the headland with massive forehand hacks and carves to claim a massive two-wave heat total of 16.03 out of 20, the highest of the event.

“I think in this heat it went so well because I found my rhythm early on with the first wave which had 3 turns on it and I scored a high 7. That gave me a lot of confidence and from there I tried to do the best I could. It was definitely important to get in a rhythm and despite trying through the heat my best two waves were the first two.”

Aranburu, found the mid-tide conditions to his favour with conditions improving allowing him to cut loose on the open faces on the Pantin right-hander. His many trips to Galicia have also added to his knowledge of the spot.

“I was watching the earlier heats and it was really difficult out there. Many close outs so I went out looking for at least a wave with two turns. In the end I had the opportunity to go even better than just two turns so the heat was very enjoyable. It is a good contest at the moment and who doesn’t enjoy coming to Pantin? I’ve been coming here for many years and if I have a break on my schedule I always try and come and enjoy the area.”

Chris Friend survived a high scoring encounter to advance along with Charles Martin, into Round Four of competition. Both surfers opted to move further off the peak because of the low tide conditions and there strategy paid dividends.

“I was watching the conditions before I paddled out there and the guys in the heat before were sitting way too deep and getting caught behind every section. Off the end there were are few that were running so I chose to paddle out down there along with Charly Martin who came behind me. I got the first one and a 6 and he got the next and an 8 so I knew it was going to be a pretty tough heat.”

Friend built on his heat total working the walling rights to eventually lay down a combination of forehand turns to claim an 8.30 out of 10 and a combined heat total of 15.40 one of the highest of the day.

“I got another good wave and surfed it safe and after that I thought I wasn’t going to surf safe anymore and started to open up and relax a bit more and got some scores on the board. It was such a long heat at 30-minutes and it was very nerve racking. I just wanted to make sure I got that second score and consolidate it so when I got that 8-point score I was happy and knew I got the job done.”

Defending champion Billy Stairmand had a nervous start to his title defence to eventually gain momentum on the peeling high tide rights late this afternoon. With his trademark rail-carves and forehand snaps the young Kiwi has overcome the first heat jitters to continue in the ASP 5-Star Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro 2011 edition.

“I was so nervous out there. It is good fun but everyone is getting 7’s and 6’s it was pretty hard as well. That first heat I knew all the pressure was on me and everyone is talking about it so it is good to get that first one out of the way.”

Vincent Duvignac controlled a low scoring encounter to continue his recent excellent form on the ASP European summer leg with a solid opening ride which allowed the young Frenchman to find his feet and explore the possibilities on the few lefts pushing through the main peak.

“I wanted to get confident on my board because the right-handers were really hard to surf. There is a lot of wind and movement and I was looking to get some lefts at the end. I had a free surf on the left side of the beach and it was a lot better so if the swell drops a little it will change the options available.”

Duvignac, who is well in reach of claiming his maiden ASP European open title, has methodically worked his way through each event this year by building on his overall results. This focus has pushed him up to the Top 100 on the ASP World rankings which is allowing him the chance to secure his spot in the crucial upcoming PRIME events in Azores and Hawaii.

“I didn’t look at any of the previous results of the day and I just focused on myself. I know that if I start looking at everyone else my mind will be distracted. I want to be here on the last day and then I will see what happens with the rankings. My goal at this stage is to win the European title which would be really good.”

Upcoming Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro Men’s Round Four Matchups
Heat 1: Jay Quinn (NZL), Chris Friend (AUS), Lincoln Taylor (AUS), Santiago Muniz (ARG)
Heat 2: Medi Veminardi (REU), Charles Martin (GLP), Brent Savage (AUS), Nicholas Squires (AUS)
Heat 3: Rudy Marechal (FRA), Perth Standlick (AUS), Charlie Brown (BRA), Alex Chacon (AUS)
Heat 4: Tim Wrench (AUS), David do Carmo (BRA), Vincent Duvignac (FRA), Dion Atkinson (AUS)
Heat 5: Aritz Aranburu (EUK), James Taipan Woods (AUS), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Leandro Usuna (ARG)
Heat 6: Sam Wrench (AUS), Gabriel Villaran (PER), Gavin Gillette (HAW), Yujiro Tsuji (JPN)
Heat 7: Billy Stairmand (NZL), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Romain Laulhe (FRA), Glen Hall (IRL)
Heat 8: Nic von Rupp (DEU), Frederico Morais (PRT), Brandon Jackson (ZAF), Filipe Jervis (PRT)