SUMMER?

© All pics: aritzaranburu.com

Summer is one of the four seasons of temperate zones. It begins with the summer solstice, and ends with the autumn equinox. Summer is characterized by having longer days and more sunlight inclination, and the highest temperatures of the year …

The waves are not normally very good, not to mention the yellow flags of blackball, and other crap like; if you get caught riding a bike or skateboard along the seawall from the beach, you’ll be fined; parking inspectors will be on your back, watching every 5 minutes …

Why are we so fond of summer and why does no one take a vacation in September?

I’m writing from the Azores, the island of Sao Miguel to be precise. It’s the first time the WQS has wrapped up in these islands and the truth is, it has been a success. The waves have hardly stopped pumping. The WT at Lowers also approaches, which will start the second half of the season.

I’ll leave you with some photos …

- Aritz

BONG PRO

Free-surfing yesterday and psyching Kelly out with a belly flop. © Joli

It seems that tomorrow is going to at last go back to beautiful Teahupoo … The first heat against Dane went well and, now, the big daddy of the circuit (Kelly Slater) …

We must seize this golden opportunity!

Besarkada haundi bat eta Maururu por todos los animos.

IUUPP.

- Aritz

ROOS

Searching for roos … © All pics: aritzaranburu.com

When one returns home after a trip to Australia the first two questions are always the same.
The first thing you’ll be asked is: – “How was this trip?”
The answer is very clear, it can be either good or bad.

The second question is always: – “Have you seen many kangaroos?”
This is the million dollar question, these things seem to be the envy of the world, and you know this now before you even leave home. So we made sure that before we made our return trip that we had a Yes!

The drive to Sydney …

It was the first trip to Australia for Arantxa, and since the day I arrived I had heard repeated about 56 times the same question: “When will I see a kangaroo?”

I replied that “In the worst case we could always go to a zoo, but that “Australia is very wild and we would be close to seeing some in passing if we wait.”

Sign number 186 and still hadn’t seen one …

After Snapper we toured the East Coast to Sydney where we saw about 235 posters of Kangaroos attention! The days passed and still we had not seen any until just a few miles off Sydney. It was sunset and I was behind the wheel when I noticed something far away, I noticed Arantxa was also trying to find out what it was.

I advanced a little and exclaimed: “Noo, nooo, nooooooo …!!
- And then when we were very close – Oh god! – She cried.

Poor kangaroo was on the side of the road … May he rest in peace.

New camera. So henceforth expect to see more photos.

Five kilometres later we saw another vision – Kangaroo! … And he also hit. Arantxa landed at home today (and didn’t get the chance to see more kangaroos), so when she is asked that second question she will respond with a “yes” but without a smile on her face.

Greetings from Tasmania,

- Aritz

ANKLE REHAB (AGAIN)

Going stupid with Adur before the Getaria-Zarautz crossing. © aritzaranburu.com

After being rehabilitated in Capbreton for three weeks I have already put the trunks on and have started to surf again, although I’m still taking it very easy.

As you know, I could not participate in the J-Bay event or the Rip Curl Search, but the preparation I’ve been working on with my trainer Gallo means that I will be 100% by the time I’m back in a contest singlet.

The crossing begins … © aritzaranburu.com

 

… and finally making it to the other side. © aritzaranburu.com

I recently participated in the famed swimming voyage of Traversi de la Getaria-Zarautz. The 2800m paddle across the harbour was a great experience.

Ondo izan jendia!

Aritz

PIT STOP IN ZARAUTZ

The new store in the awesome town of San Sebastian.
© Urbieta 4 / aritzaranburu.com

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the new Quiksilver store in San Sebastian.

Haven’t had much use for these since return home from the Pacific. © aritzaranburu.com

So, back at home and … no waves. But it seems that in J-bay a couple of good swells are hitting before the ‘QS in Durban. Thus, I will sure be flying to South Africa earlier than expected to train for the next WCT.

Next stop: East Cape, South Africa. © Joli

Ondo izan, until the next time!

Aritz

EMPTYING THE CAMERA

© aritzaranburu.com

Life in Fiji! No surfing for me until tomorrow so here’s an update of what has been happening with me since my injury way back on the Gold Coast. You can also see footage on my website aritzaranburu.com, as well as blogs posted in Spanish.

© aritzaranburu.com

This is at Rainbow Bay, right after I injured my leg. I spent most of the time recovering in France. The ligament healed very well and mobility of the knee and ankle advanced pretty quickly. I was based in the famous CERS sports rehab centre in Capbreton, located right on the beach. In fact I was watching the waves at all times which made me a little anxious, but I really enjoyed mind surfing them. If someday you have a problem like this, I strongly recommend this centre.

© aritzaranburu.com

I had started surfing a couple of weeks before Tahiti and was progressing well until I got another little sprain in my left ankle. It was nothing too serious but it meant I couldn’t surf until I got to Teahupoo. I had to wait until checking the situation once I got there to see whether I was able to compete or not.

© aritzaranburu.com

I was already walking around by the time the Teahupoo event started. And the ankle actually held together well in the fat pipes that arrived with the swell. The also managed to fit in a photo sessions with the Quik team of Dane Reynolds, Ry Craike, Jeremy Flores, Clay Marzo, Alain Riou, and Micky Picon.

© aritzaranburu.com

I wanted more in Teahupoo, as in the heats I didn’t get too many waves. We hung around until just before Fiji, just relaxing and catching a great late swell.

Ondo Segi!

Agur,

Aritz