Conquering the perfect storm!

January 2020

Galicia, Spain

Rider: Thomas Traversa

Photos : Pierre Bouras - Video : Horue Movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMYgEf5tobM

In January 2020, we set off on an adventure with our long-time rider and friend Thomas Traversa, a specialist in windsurfing storm chasing.

For those who don't know Thomas Traversa, he was World Wave Champion in 2014 and winner of the Red Bull Storm Chase, so he's the most gifted windsurfer of his generation in truly extreme waves and conditions.

Let's head for Spain, and more specifically Galicia, for a trip that's express but intense!

On arriving at the spot, and especially knowing Thomas, we weren't surprised to land on a wave that, while very nice, wasn't exactly engaging: a big, nasty slab (a wave that breaks on an exposed reef), a not-so-simple launch, but much easier than the return to land! And of course a completely offshore wind of around 60 knots (gusting to over 100 km/h). Experts will understand 😅

Yes, we were in Thomas' paradise, a spot that only he can ride as if nothing had happened, with rocks everywhere, an ultra-strong wind, big powerful waves and a configuration of the coastline that doesn't really offer a plan for getting back to land safely after the session! In fact, he's never opted for a gentle return with his equipment, preferring swimming and rock-climbing!

The images speak for themselves: watch the video made by Horue Movie below.

Many thanks to Pierre Bouras for immortalizing these moments in photos.

You can continue to follow Thomas' adventures on the social networks https://www.instagram.com/tomtraversa/ & https://www.facebook.com/thomastraversaf3