Glorious Conditions & Excellent Scores For Day One
Swatch Girls Pro France 2013 - ASP Womens 6 Star Event.
The SWATCH GIRLS PRO FRANCE 2013 got underway today under blue skies and in aquamarine seas, as a clean 3-5ft (head-high to overhead) groundswell treated competitors and fans alike. Le Penon held true to form offering tapering rights and lefts throughout the day, groomed by offshore winds making for beautiful conditions.
With the completion of the Round of 60, there are only 48 surfers left in the draw, with the top seeds - including the Swatch Proteam trio-set to enter the fray next.
"You have to stay alert because it's changing so much with the tide," said local French surfer Lee-Ann Curren after winning her Round of 60 clash. "I really tried to stay on that righthander and waited for the good ones. There are some really nice waves coming through but you need to watch your positioning to be able to get them."
Top 16 surfer Rebecca Woods put in a marathon effort surfing and winning through four heats through the day, posting the day's highest wave score of 8.75 in Round 1. "This board I've been riding is a replica of an old favourite and it seems to be loving the conditions out here," she admitted. "Sometimes when you've got a great board under you and you get on a roll you kind of just feel like you know the good waves are going to come to you."
Stephanie Single, on her first ever trip to Europe won her Round of 60 encounter as the incoming tide broughtcompetitors right under the crowd's noses in a classic French shorebreak set-up. "I was doing the run-around on the beach just to be sure I could make it back out," laughed the young Aussie. "I'd heard about the currents here, and it was all true!" Other stand-outs included Demi Boelsterli and Ornella Pellizzari who both posted 8 point rides to advance.
SOUNDS OF SUMMER BY SWATCH!
In addition to the red hot action in the water, the SWATCH GIRLS PRO FRANCE has also become known for a festival-style party program and 2013 promises to be bigger and better than ever.