At 32 years old, Sebastián Olarte has spent much of his life chasing waves as a professional surfer.
He hails from Uruguay, a small country in South America nestled between Brazil and Argentina.
Uruguay is often known for its passion for football, world-renowned meat, and a strong sense of community.
However, beneath this well-known exterior lies a vibrant and dedicated surfing culture.
Here, surfers constantly dream of perfect waves, although the ideal conditions are often elusive.
This August, however, a powerful swell pounded the coastline while a stiff offshore breeze created some classic conditions for Sebastián and his team of friends.
The day began early – around 4 a.m. – when Sebastián left home and headed towards Rocha, a coastal region known for its surf spots.
There, he met up with the rest of the team, setting off for a location they believed might offer some rare gems.
Upon arrival, the sea greeted them with towering waves and rare offshore winds.
They quickly prepared their gear and headed to a rocky slab two miles offshore.
As they approached, the wind intensified, creating large bumps on the face of the waves.
Juan, one of Sebastián’s close friends, managed to catch a couple of waves before it was his turn.
The ski driver, Gastón, spotted a mountainous swell marching towards the lineup and exclaimed, “This one is yours, Seb!”
Sebastián launched onto it with determination, focusing on finding the perfect line to descend the wave without getting caught by the wind-induced bumps.
After navigating his way onto the shoulder of the wave, he headed back to the channel, where he was met with cheers from his friends.
“It was the biggest wave of the day, and I was pumped to have made it,” explained Sebastián.
“We attempted to catch a few more waves, but the wind grew stronger, so we headed to the beach break, which was also on fire.”
When they reached the beach, Leandro, the filmmaker, showed them the footage of that wave – and it was only then that they truly grasped its magnitude.
“None of us could believe that such a wave had materialized in Uruguay – it was a moment of both delight and disbelief.”
They spent the rest of the day doing step-offs on some amazing waves with friends, cherishing the thrill and camaraderie of surfing together.
Surfer: @sebastianolarte
Images (photos and footage): @leandrofuque
Words: @andyhiggins_france
Reblogged 1 week ago from www.youtube.com🏄♂️ RIPCURL CUP PADANG PADANG ROUND 1 HEAT 3: JOEL PARKINSON BEST BARRELS SCORE 8.83 AND 6.67. MIKEY FEBRUARY, GARUT WIDIARTA, DYLAN WILCOXEN 🏄♂️
Watch the excitement unfold in Round 1, Heat 3 of the RipCurl Cup Padang Padang 2024! This heat features a stunning performance by Joel Parkinson, who delivers two standout barrel rides scoring 8.83 and 6.67. He faces fierce competition from Mikey February, Garut Widiarta, and Dylan Wilcoxen, each bringing their unique style to the legendary waves of Padang Padang.
🌊 Highlights:
– Joel Parkinson (Red) : Witness Joel’s masterful barrel riding, earning the top scores of 8.83 and 6.67, showcasing his experience and precision on the waves.
– Mikey February (White) : Known for his smooth and stylish surfing, Mikey tackles the Padang Padang barrels with grace and finesse.
– Garut Widiarta (Green) : The local hero navigates the waves with his deep knowledge of Padang Padang, delivering some impressive rides.
– Dylan Wilcoxen (Blue) : Watch as Dylan takes on the challenging conditions with determination and skill, adding his own flair to the heat.
📍 Date and Location: 19 August 2024 at Padang Padang Beach – Bali’s renowned surf break, famous for its perfect barrels and challenging conditions.
🎥 What to Expect:
– High-scoring barrels and intense competition
– Stunning footage of big wave surfing and deep barrel rides
– Detailed coverage of each surfer’s style and technique
– The excitement and drama of Round 1 at the RipCurl Cup
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📢 Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts in the comments—who do you think had the best performance in this heat? What did you think of Joel Parkinson’s barrel rides?
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Stay tuned for more epic moments from the RipCurl Cup Padang Padang 2024! 🌊
#RipCurlCup #PadangPadang #JoelParkinson #MikeyFebruary #GarutWidiarta #DylanWilcoxen #BigWaveSurfing #SurfingCompetition #SurfingBali
Reblogged 2 weeks ago from www.youtube.comAinda lidando com os ecos do surfe olímpico, voltamos nossa atenção para o circuito da elite mundial.
Mas, antes, vamos falar sobre as ondas sofríveis do CS de Huntington e as bombas do Itacoatiara Big Wave.
A janela da nona e última etapa da temporada regular do CT já está aberta, e a expectativa para a decisão do ranking que levará os top 5 ao Finals só cresce.
Nesse décimo quarto episódio do Surfographia, os três temas mencionados acima comprovam a grande variedade de cenários e dinâmicas que o surfe de competição nos proporciona.
O CS de Huntington, realizado em ondas medíocres, celebra um mexicano e uma australiana, além de reforçar o protagonismo dos brasileiros no top 10.
E o que também promete ser épico é o CT de Fiji. Façam suas apostas! Quem vai se dar bem no campeonato? Como ficará o top 5, tanto masculino quanto feminino? Quantos brasileiros teremos em Trestles? Deixem suas opiniões nos comentários!
#surfing #surfe #waves
Reblogged 2 weeks ago from www.youtube.comSurfing The Better Than Nothing Session, Dbah, Wednesday 21st August 2024. The swell has dropped off a bit more today & the wind is a bit sideways but better the nothing!
Music
Ben Wright Smith.
https://www.facebook.com/benwrightsmithmusic
Yt1358
Reblogged 2 weeks ago from www.youtube.comBen Larg (Tiree, Scotland) charges hard and gets detonated at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on November 8. 2023. Video by Antoine Couturier. An Aquamar Wipeout of the Year contender in the SURFER Big Wave Challenge 2023/24. Follow us at @bigwavechallenge to see who wins! (And see all the entries at the event site www.Surfer.com/big-wave.)
Reblogged 2 weeks ago from www.youtube.com