BWWT Punta Galea. Adur Letamendia finishes 4th.

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The BWWT Punta Galea Challenge presented by Arnette has been a legit big wave contest with 20-30 foot faces won by the best of the 24 surfers; Grant Twiggy Baker (SAF).

Baker, 40 years of age and from Durban in South Africa, controlled the 45 minute final from start to finish utilizing perfect positioning and taking the biggest and best waves to finish with a near perfect score of 29.01 out of a possible 30.



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Twiggy Baker

“What a day for me, it just got better each heat and in the final I felt like I actually peaked and it just worked out perfectly” said Baker. “This wave surprised us. It is a legitimate big wave in the world of big wave surfing and we all really enjoyed the challenge.”

Today’s win sees Baker leading the Xpreshon Big Wave World Tour rankings for this season and well positioned to win this year’s Xpreshon Big Wave World Tour Title.

“It’s the aim to try and win the Xpreshon Big Wave World Tour Title and today’s win certainly has me well placed but there’s three event to go and I really have to focus on each event and be ready for when they might run.”



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Twiggy Baker


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Twiggy Baker

Finishing second and third and not far behind Baker were Santa Cruz, California pair Nic Lamb, 2nd place on a final tally of 28.21 and Ken Collins on 24.87 in 3rd.

“I would have love to have won today and I think it got down to Baker’s last wave where he was in a slightly better position than myself to catch that wave” said 25-year-old Lamb.

“I’m still happy with second. Ken (Collins) and myself are here representing Santa Cruz and to place 2nd and 3rd sees us both well in touch on the world rankings and I’m looking forward to the next three events, two of which are on our home coastline in North America – Mavericks and Oregon.”

Punta Galea offered an amazing spectacle for the large crowds, estimated above 10,000, who lined the picturesque 400 meter cliff face that overlooks the break in an amazing natural auditorium setting.

Local Basque surfer Adur Letamendia from nearby Zarautz was the highest placed European making the final and placing 4th ahead of Ramon Navarro from Chile and David Bustamante (Basque/Spain).

Australian waterman Jamie Mitchell placed 7th overall, narrowly missing the final when he was edged out in his Semifinal by Navarro.

The water safety team were kept extremely busy all day with numerous snapped leashes and a particularly dangerous inside rocky section to the break where many surfers had to be towed from.

One such incident saw rider and ski come to grief on the rocky point.

Apart from that, the day was managed superbly by competitors and organisers.

Three event locations remain on the Xpreshon Big Wave World Tour, Mavericks in California, Oregon and Todos Santos (Mexico) with a waiting period through to March 31st.

The events only run if and when a large swell and good surface conditions coincide with surfers given a few days notice to get to the location and surf.

Results Arnette Punta Galea Challenge
1st Grant Baker (South Africa/Durban) 29.01
2nd Nic Lamb (USA/Santa Cruz) 28.21
3rd Ken Collins (USA/Santa Cruz) 24.87
4th Adur Latamendia (Spain/Zarautz) 23.57
5th Ramon Navarro (Chile) 14.34
6th David Bustamante (Spain) 0.00



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Twiggy Baker (deep) and Jamie Mitchell


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Ken "Skindog" Collins



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Adur Letamendia



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Grant Twiggy Baker Wins



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Adur Letamendia 4th place


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Adur Letamendia a happy bloke



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Adur Letamendia & Grant Twiggy Baker



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Grant Twiggy Baker



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Ken Skindog Collins


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Adur Letamendia a happy bloke



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Water Patrol plus Adur and Ramon Navarro


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Adur Letamendia and Jamie Mitchell



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 not just another quiver


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Ramon Navarro



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Waterworld



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Natxo Gonzalez


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Aritz Aranburu



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 The Crowd


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Nerve wrecking morning



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Ibon Amatriain and Andrew Cotton


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Aritz Aranburu



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 First heat of the day Zumo and from L to R Andrew Cotton Ibon Amatriain Adur Letamendia Grant Washburn Ken Collins



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Axi Muniain


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Ken Skindog Collins and Joao de Macedo



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Adur Letamendia


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 the FINAL: Zumo, Ken Skindog Collins, Nick Lamb, Ramón Navarro, Grant Twiggy Baker, Adur Letamendia



Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 David Zumo Bustamante


Pukas Surf BWWT Punta Galea December 22nd 2013 Punta Galea delivered

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