2014 Itacoatiara Pro Day 1

Itacoatiara, Brazil (Saturday, July 26, 2014)

Full Day 1 Image Gallery is online at http://apbtour.com/px_gallery/2014-itacoatiara-pro-day-1/ – All Images Tony D’Andrea

Day 1 of the Itacoatiara Pro kicked off with 6-8 foot (2 to 2.5 metre) waves at one of the most powerful beaches in Brazil. The first heat hit the water at 10am marking the start of Event 2 of the APB World Tour and the beginning of the South American leg.

The early rounds were full of Brazilians including Israel Salas, current Brazilian champion, and locals Dudu Pedra, João Zik and Lucas Faria and ensured a packed beach to witness some of the world’s best body boarders in some of the world’s best waves.

Round 1 was walked through after the large swell limited beach entries and the action started with Round 2. Lucas Faria (BRA) set the early standard in Heat 7 with a 9.0, the highest wave score of the day.

In a round dominated by local entries several internationals managed to progress including Airam Caberra (CNY), Nicolas Chiara (ARG), Emiliano Nieves (UY) and Diego Furiatti (UY).

In round 3, wildcard Dudu Pedra (BRA) used his local knowledge to advance in second place behind Israel Salas (BRA). Salas scored a 8.75 and 7.50 for 16.25 points, the highest heat total of the event so far. “Before entering the heat I was looking right at the sea and tried to also pay attention to where in the Dudu Pedra entered. He knows that wave better then anyone. I was lucky to catch two waves and I’m very focused for the rest of the event, ” he said.

John Zik (BRA) proved local knowledge is vital in the large conditions getting a deep barrel that earned him 8.50 points and a spot in round 4 facing off against fellow countryman and 6 times world champion Guilherme Tamega (BRA). “I am very happy to have gotten past and that wave. I do not want to celebrate anything yet as it has so much ahead, but I will fight to put Itacoatiara in the highest place of the podium.”

14 year old Hawaiian Tanner McDaniel made his debut appearance in Brazil with an 8.0, the fourth highest single wave of the day to win his heat reminding everyone why he is considered one of the next “Big Things” in the sport. He will face Jared Houston (ZAF) and Alan Munoz (CHI) in round 4.

Top 10 Wave Scores for Day 1

9.00 Lucas Faria (BRA) – Round 2 Heat 7
8.75 Israel Salas (BRA) – Round 3 Heat 2
8.50 Joao Zik (BRA) – Round 3 Heat 3
8.00 Tanner McDaniel (HAW) – Round 3 Heat 6
8.00 Gabriel Oliveira (BRA) – Round 2 Heat 8
7.50 Israel Salas (BRA) – Round 3 Heat 2
7.25 David Barbosa (BRA) – Round 3Heat 4
7.15 Israel Salas (BRA) – Round 2 Heat 2
7.00 Israel Salas (BRA) – Round 3 Heat 2
7.00 Israel Eduardo (BRA) – Round 3 Heat 5

On Sunday we expect to see the top 16 in the water starting with round 4. Among them current world champion Ben Player (AUS), last year’s winner Amaury Laverhne (REU), 13 times world champion Mike Stewart (HAW) and 6 times world champion Guilherme Tamega (BRA).