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Writer's pictureIain Campbell
Oct 15, 20176 min read

Nazare Pro 2017

Mere words cannot clearly express all that has happened this week. And it takes a longer post to record it all. Thanks for reading. Mother Nature and the elements appeared to be against us from the outset. Fortunately the extended program window allocated for the event, together with the determined efforts of riders, organisers and APB Tour staff alike, allowed the event to finish in style with local Portuguese rider, Antonio Cardoso, performing well in the final to edge me into second place and take the Nazare Pro title.

Despite my having enjoyed a good record of podium finishes during the 2017 Tour, placing me in a strong position at the top of the Championship leader board, the Championship race was wide open with the final event of the year at Fronton in the Canary Islands still ahead of us. The pressure was truly on. A dream, held since I first took to body boarding at a very young age, of one day securing the APB World Championship title depended on my making the final of the Nazare Pro. Well, the sequence of events that was the Nazare Pro 2017 unfolded in such a way as to allow the dream to be realised… APB World Champion 2017! The first days of competition were held in pumping conditions and the top competitors let it all hang out, setting the tone for the competition. Amaury Laverhne (Moz) scored a perfect 10 with some flowing combination of spin and then a barrel to a flip. Later in Round 3, Pierre Louis Costes (2016 World Champion) landed a monstrous air reverse to beat Moz and progress to Round 4.

Roll in the Semi-Final. Photo: Alex Perez


In a Round 1 heat, I was matched against Miguel Adão and João Zik. It was a tightly- contested heat but I set out to build scores throughout. As the heat wound down, I posted a good second score to secure a win and progress directly through to Round 3. In the Round 3 heat I was matched up against fellow South African, Luke Kitchin. Conditions were tough, with some bombing waves coming through. I was able to gain some momentum and get into first position with two good scores and advance to Round 4. Into Round 4 the conditions seemed to turn on and pressure mounted. I saw some of the most insane waves come through in the heat and riders dropped some impressive scores. I was up against another fellow “Saffa”, Jared Houston (2015 World Champion), and Eder Luciano. Both came out firing and registered good rides. After a slow start and some incomplete waves, I eventually managed to nail a big left to properly open my scoring account. In these conditions I knew I couldn’t sleep with 10 minutes left and sets still rolling in. Later in the heat I managed a long barrel to a roll, posting scores of 7.5 and 9.5 respectively. I was through to the quarter-finals of the event and a step closer to the world title!

Round 4 finished and Mother Nature decided to slow the course of the event. The round was called off due to thick fog limiting the vision of the judges on the shore. On the final day allocated for the Nazare Pro 2017 event, we were blessed with warm weather and no fog due to offshore winds blowing it all out to sea. I was out in the water against Uri Valadão in the second heat of the quarter-finals. Uri came out with strong flip-to-roll combinations. It was another tightly-contested heat as I posted some useful scores to stay in the hunt. As time wound down, I stuck to him like glue and was fortunate to hold the priority to take the heat and progress to the semi-finals. It was in the final heat of the quarter-finals that Antonio Cardosa posted a win over Pierre Louis Costes (defending Champion and second in the race for the 2017 Championship). This result was to have a major bearing on the APB World Tour 2017 Championship race!

Backflip in the Quarters. Photo: Joao Arauje


To the semi-finals, and I finally came to appreciate the importance of the outcome of my heat against Diego Cabrera. It was do or die… I win this semi-final and take the World Title before the final event of 2017! An opportunity to put the disappointment of 2016 to bed! I went for broke on my very first wave with a big roll, landing hard in the flats in the shallows. Diego replied with a solid roll, posting a good score. I decided to stay inside and picked up a good flip which threw me into the flats again. This left Diego needing an 8.25 score with time running down. The last two minutes of the heat felt like a lifetime. The hooter sounded and I had done it! A 7th APB Tour event final of the year… and a World Title.

Congratulations and embraces commenced with Diego while in the water. Looking at the beach, I was able to see the excitement of supporters on the beach. It was a great feeling to be met and mobbed in the shore break by the “Saffa” contingent, chaired up the beach and handed the World Championship Trophy! This was followed by a cherished moment shared with my girlfriend on the beach. What a high! After all the excitement of the moment, it was back down to earth with a bump ahead of the final against local boy, Antonio Cardoso. A strong current was sweeping through the event area at this stage. I was unable to post really good scores but held Antonio off in the early stages of the heat. I was unable to get the scoring momentum going with Antonio using local knowledge to get some decent waves and scores out of the current-filled area. Antonio put on a show in front of an incredible home crowd of friends and family and came out victorious, taking his first APB Tour event title. What a way to end an incredible day!

Celebration Station. Photo: Alex Perez


The Fronton, Canary Island, and final, APB Tour 2017 event is still ahead of us. The realisation has finally sunk in. APB World Tour Champion for 2017. I have dreamt and visualised this day for years. Hard work, dedication, blood, sweat and (literally) tears. That moment on the shoulders of friends, hugging my girlfriend, grasping the World Title trophy strongly in hand…..makes it all worth it!! The 2017 Tour is not over yet, but it is fitting that I record a brief note of thanks right now.

The APB World Tour Trophy is testament, and a tribute, to all who have supported me on my journey to date, whether by well-wishes, congratulations, or help along the way. I thank you all for every part, big or small, that you have played. It takes a team of supporters; people who believe in you and are prepared to push you, when necessary, to realise your potential; sponsors willing to support your efforts.

Embracing Rosie after the World Title was secured. Photo: Alex Perez


From Billy Thiel, friend and mentor, teaching me how to do my first roll at North Beach, Durban, and my parents for allowing me to follow this dream; to Philip Nel for believing in me when I said I wanted the title this year; and everyone in between. To my sponsors. You guys are also heroes in my story to date. Believing in me, investing in me, and helping me to achieve this goal. Truly appreciated for all your support! I appreciate it all, more than you will all ever imagine. There are just so many people I have to thank for their influence in my life and for supporting me to realise my dream…APB World Tour Champion 2017. Thank you!

On to Fronton!

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