Home town: Zarautz, Basque Country, Spain

Age: 24 (dob 30/08/85)

Stance: Regular

Sponsors: Quiksilver, Pukas, Fiat, DC Shoes, Reef, Kirolgi

 

Over in the Basque Country of Spain during the 90s you would have found a grommet of the name of Aritz completely tearing up the surf scene.  Ridiculous talent and Basque pro surfer mates quickly propelled Basque/Spanish born Aritz Aranburu into the surfing heavens, carving a way into first the World Qualifying Series in 2005 and then the World Championship Tour in 2008.  So who is this Basque surfer who rides like wildfire?

 

Aritz Aranburu was born and raised in the Basque Country of Spain.  Growing up in the world class surf destination of Zarautz and getting his first short board at the tender age of 7, you could say that Aritz had something of a head start into the surfing world.  By age 11 he was entering surf competitions and winning, and this didn’t go unnoticed.

 

Aritz has had the support and coaching of legendary local surfers such as Ibon Amatriain, Patxi Larranaga and Aitor “Gallo” Francesena who became his coach.  Between the Aritz’s fierce drive, talent and his mentor’s training, Aritz turned professional in 2005 when he was only 19 years old.

 

It took two years for Aritz to gain entry to the elite ASP world championship tour, and in the process he picked up an award or two.  He won a couple of events that year in 2007, but none so memorable as his win at home at the Zarautz Pro Surf contest. His performances and rise to the elite tour earned him “Best Athlete of the Year 2007” from his Basque Government. 

 

However, upon arrival into the dream world tour in 08’ Aritz suffered a set back whilst surfing in the Gold Coast of Australia.  He injured his ankle and with it missed out on 4 events, seriously limiting his chances of requalifying.  Luckily Aritz convinced the tour to give him an injury wildcard to 09’, so he was back in action.

 

Yet things still haven’t been smooth for the young Basque surfer.  He reinjured his ankle in 09’ and couldn’t regain access to world tour for 2010.  However, all is not lost when you surf like there’s no tomorrow.  Last year Aritz achieved a 3rd in the Billabong Pro Tahiti, and it looks as if he’s back to that same form this year. 

 

Now that the ASP’s world rankings system has changed, every event a surfer competes in can contribute to their rise up the world rankings.... And Aritz has just won the last international competition- The Maresia Surf International in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.  His win propels him from 60th to 35th in the world rankings, and helps to set the stage for a great come back.

 

So keep an eye out for this great European surfer who is sure to make a return to his normal firey form and blaze a new trail for other European surfers to come.
 

Lots of sunshine, warm waves to play in and new places to explore with your girlie mates, there really isn’t anything else like going on a girls surf holiday.  Here’s our quick guide to help you along your way to packing for your super fun surf holiday...

 

Sunscreen

 

Love it or loath it, sunscreen makes all the difference to your surf experience.  Without it you will resemble a lobster even from surfing on a cloudy day.  Water and sand are highly reflective, so look out for high quality sunscreens that not only have a factor of SPF15+, but also have broadspectrum ratings providing protection against UVA and UVB.  Check the number of stars that the sunblock has, 4 stars will be far better than 3, and if you have sensitive skin or are prone to spots, look for non-comogenic (wont block your pores) and non-allergenic sunscreens.

 

Eye cream

 

 

Surfing everyday in the beautiful sunny salty ocean can have you squinting into the distance, and accidentally rubbing your eyes after coming up from your duckdive or wipeout.  So to help your eyes recover take a lightweight eye cream to sooth your eyes at the end of the day.  You’ll thank us for it the day after.

 

Stretchy clothing

 

Whether you are on the beach or going out to party, having flattering clothes that work no matter the weather is essential to a surf holiday.  Stretchy dresses, tops and skirts not only flatter the surf bod that will appear whilst you’re away, they also travel well and can easily be pulled on after a surf or dressed up for a night out.

 

Music

 

What would a surf trip be without a soundtrack to accompany it?  Put together a play list that will have you dancing around and psyched to go surf or go out with your mates.  If you can include something new then even better, because then you’ll probably associate that new track with your surf holiday forever.

 

A great attitude

 

Okay, we know you don’t pack this one, but it will make all the difference to your holiday and to any surf lesson you take. Remember that no matter what stage your surfing ability- a big smile, laughter and not taking yourself too seriously increases your fun level and for those around you.

Where: Off the coast of Saint Jean-de-Luz, Basque Country, France

When: Hit headlines in 2003, but known by locals for well over 10 years beforehand.

Why: One of the best big waves in Europe

Stats: Starts breaking at 12ft, can reach heights of 60ft+, and no one knows how big it could get.
 

 

Out in the Atlantic Ocean every so often enormous freak waves are created.  You never know when they will appear and how big they will be... but we know the location of one of these godly beasts- Belharra.

 

Lying approximately 2km of the coast of Saint Jean-de-Luz in the French Basque Country lies the titan wave Belharra. Accessible only by boat or jetski, this rock-reef break only raises its head a handful of times a year- but what a day it is when it does.

 

Belharra (literally meaning “grass” or “seaweed” in the Basque language) is a relatively recent discovery in the bigwave surfing world.  You may have come across it in the surf film “The Billabong Odyssey” back in 2003 and since then it has grown in popularity to be considered as one of the best tow-in surf spots in Europe.  Its power, speed and shear brute force have the pros and adrenaline fiends clamoring to take it on.

 

The wave is generated by huge storms out in the Atlantic which bombard the south western coast of France usually during the winter months.  Belharra is created by massive swells hitting the rock reef approximately 15ft below sea level when it's low tide.  The rock shelf forces the enormous swells up into an explosive breaking wave, which produces the roaring fast moving wave faces that big wave riders live for.

 

 

Belharra provides both lefts and rights to be ridden, and is strictly for those who know what they are doing.  If you get this one wrong, then you can be looking at quite a hold down underneath its foamy surface, and the danger of being pushed down onto the sharp rock reef sea floor.

 

However, in spite of the dangers Belharra still lures many international surfers, and provides a world class environment for the local French, Basque and Spanish tow in surfers to push the limits of the sport.  So next time you’re on your surfing holiday in France, make a point of visiting Saint Jean-de-Luz and asking for a few stories of when Belharra breaks... 

 

How to get there:

Fly to Biarritz and then drive or take the bus to Saint Jean-de-Luz.  For consistent non-death defying waves, rent an apartment in either Biarritz itself or Hossegor (30mins north of Biarritz by car).  Then head to La Grande Plage in Biarritz for fun, slightly more long-board friendly waves; or go to La Plage Centrale off Place des Landais in Hossegor for the world class shore breaks ideal for shortboarders.

 

Check out this rare clip of a surfer paddling into one of Belharra’s bombs...

 

Sponsored riders: Jordy Smith, Bobby Martinez, Cory Lopez 

O’Neill’s Epic wetsuit has gone through a redesign for 2010, and has come away with some of the high end features from O’Neill’s ranges.  The new Epic II CT has an Ultra Flex Firewall chest, double seal neck inclosure and Lumbar Seamless Design.  The suit comes in a variety of thicknesses: 4/3mm for 10 - 15 degrees C and 3/2mm for those balmy 15 - 20 degrees C days.
 

Sizing: XS, S, M, MT, L, XL, XXL

Price: £104

Stockist: www.h2o-sports.co.uk

 

Sponsored riders: Alan Stokes, Jack Johns, Elliot Dudley
 

Animal's new summer wetsuit uses liquidised seams that are contoured to map the body’s shape, it also has the watergate barrier system so that there is hardly any water sneaking in through the zip area.  The Antidote also boasts a Thermacore Tri Ply chest panel to keep you toasty, and the seal skin neck to help prevent rubbing or a rash.
 

Sizing: S, MS, MST, M, ML, MT, L, XL, 2XL

Price: £179.95

Stockist: http://www.kingofwatersports.com

 

Sponsored riders: Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson, Tiago Pires, Taj Burrow

 
Good value for money, Billabong’s Foil summer wetsuit combines its Furnace thermal chest panel with its Airlite Superflex G3 fabric to give you more manoeuvrability in the water.  The design includes 3D Moulded Supratex Knees to help prevent bruises from one too many pop ups, plus Billabong has thought about where they have placed their seams to help prevent chaffing.
 

Sizing: S, MS, M, ML, L, LT, LS, XL, XXL

Price: £119.99

Stockist: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk

 

http://www.gul.com
Sponsored riders: Beth Mason, Celine Gehret, Amy Brock-Morgan

Super stretch with a recore thermospan inner made from bamboo and recycled polyester- Gul’s new summer wetsuit is environmentally friendly.  The neoprene is non-petroleum, whilst still retaining warmth through blind stitching all the seams to help prevent flush.  The shoulders are seam free, and wrists and ankles have the G-lock feature, so you can keep warmer and surf for longer.
 

Sizing: N/A contact Gul directly

Price: N/A contact Gul directly

Stockist: http://www.gul.co.uk/stores

 

Sponsored riders: Amandine Sanchez, Nicole Morgan, Laetitia Sudre
 

O’Neill has created an ideal spring suit for women with its use of the Fluidfex to give more movement in the water.  Krypto knee pads help to prevent damage to your knees whilst the smooth skin fluid foam is used around your neck to create a dry seal.  The suit has Flatloc stitching for breathable seams and a hidden key pocket.
 

Sizing: UK 6 - 16

Price: Price: £69.95

Stockist: http://www.kingofwatersports.com/

June has finally arrived and with it the hope of good surf holidays to come, so whilst you're waiting for your holiday, keep yourself inspired with our top 10 all time surfers.



Duke Kahanamoku, 1890 - 1968

Legendary Hawaiian surfer. The Duke as he’s known, won the gold medal in the 100m freestyle at the Olympics in Stockholm 1912 and then went on to tour the globe giving swimming and surfing demonstrations.  The Duke is credited to have brought surfing to the Aussies.

Kelly Slater, 1972 -

Nine times world champion, 42 elite tour contest wins and bit parts in “Baywatch” and “Surfs Up”... need we say more?

 

Eddie Aikau, 1946 - 1978

Eddie was the first lifeguard on the North Shore of Oahu, saving countless lives and helping to keep the peace when localism got out of hand.  Eddie was a fearless big wave charger, who died when he paddled for help for the capsized team of the boat "the Hokule'a".  They were rescued, but he was lost at sea.  He is now remembered through Quiksilver’s big wave invitational.

 

Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, 1954 - 

Rabbit (left) was intrinsic to the surfing style upheaval on the North Shore in the 70s.  The brash Aussie helped to introduce a new faster style of surfing, and decided that he wanted to be a pro surfer when it didn't even exist... He wanted to be the best surfer in the world, and he ripped it and became the president of the ASP only stepping down in 2009.

 

Layne Beachley, 1972 - 

Talk about shattering the figurative glass ceiling.  Aussie Beachley has six world titles to her name, has a competition named after her- the Beachley Classic, and has pushed women’s surfing to a whole other level preparing the way for the likes of Stephenie Gilmore.

 

 

MR (Mark Richards), 1957 -

Four time world champion consecutively from 1979 to 1982, MR was part of the Aussie invasion of the North Shore along with Rabbit.  However, MR let his surfing do the talking and gained entry to some of the most prestigious events at the time, and gained huge respect from the Hawaiian big wave riders when he rode Waimea at 30ft.  He now shapes boards in his home town of Newcastle, Australia.

 

 

Gerry Lopez, 1948-

The king of Pipeline, rider of the iconic lightning bolt boards, and innovator of amazing tube riding.  Hawaiian born Lopez raised the bar for surfing at Pipeline, and set the standard for years to come.  

 

 

Shane Dorian, 1972- 

When the surf gets big, Dorian will be in the pit.  Although only 38 years old American Dorian has made a big mark on surfing. Anyone who saw his performance at the Eddie 2009 at Waimea Bay would know why so many look up to him.  He appears to be fearless, taking on the gnarliest, heaviest and scariest big waves in the world.

 

 

Tom Carroll, 1961 - 

Winner of two world titles in 1983 and 1984, Carroll’s powerful style and fierce determination when taking off on the huge Hawaiian waves has led to this Australian being one of the most inspirational surfers of the 80s.

 

Shaun Tomson, 1955 -

This South African helped to popularize surfing around the globe.  Teaming up with Aussies MR and Rabbit, Tomson (right) was often the spokesperson and face of the “alternative” North Shore crew during the 70s.  With a world title under his belt, and a progressive-aggressive tube riding style that is still used today, Tomson pushed surfing into new territory.

Take a look at the trailer for "Bustin Down the Door" from 53 seconds onwards, for an idea of the progressive surfing on the North Shore that took place during the 70s from Rabbit, MR and Tomson.