ABOUT SURF CHALLENGE
Other than a typical competition, the Nixon Surf Challenge emphasizes free-surfing, style and a relaxed atmosphere in order to push the sport to the next level. In the end the riders decide themselves who receives the much sought-after trophy for the best trick and the overall winner based on Nixon’s distinct method of team voting.
HISTORY
Within more than a decade of existence, the Nixon Surf Challenge has developed from a casual get-together of befriended riders sharing some waves together into a highly-anticipated, top-class surfing event discovering unexplored destinations. Uniting the best of their discipline in a handpicked selection of Nixon’s pro team, living legends and classic chargers up to young guns ascending to fame, this annual highlight showcases smashing surfing skills at extraordinary locations, far from the usual setting of a surf trip.
LOCATION
This year the Nixon Surf Challenge celebrates its 12th edition. After a jaunt to the volcanic gem of La Graciosa in the Canary Islands in 2012, the 10 invited riders will find themselves in the surreal scenery and mystic beauty of Iceland this time. The Island far in the north of the Atlantic Ocean holds a stunning landscape, world-class waves and unknown spots waiting to be discovered during the 6 days of this Arctic mission.
INVITED SURFERS
The Nixon Crew as well as Team Riders sat down as a group several times and thought long and hard about whom the crew should be. After a long list of names, some back and forth, arguing and laughing we came up with a group as solid as ever.
A 'slight' tendancy to charge pretty much any kind of mental wave has led 'Sancho' to become one of the most exposed European surfer on the international scene, earning him the «Billabong XXL Award » for the biggest wave ridden in 2011. On rare occasions you'll see him ride smaller waves indeed, and believe us, he's not too bad at it. But let's be honest, for him it's all about hitting barrels in exotic, freezing or simply terrifying locations.
HOME TOWN: CAPBRETON, FRA
HOME SPOT: LA GRAVIERE, FRA
Humble, wide eyed and soft spoken. Christopher « Chippa » Wilson stunned the surf community three years ago with a serie of web edits showcasing one of the most inspiring aerial surfing ever seen so far. Explosive, tattooed, and wild, Chippa is the guest star of this year's Surf Challenge.
HOME TOWN: CABARITA BEACH, AUS
HOME SPOT: CABARITA BEACH, AUS
Eric is a charger. From mental El Quemao, Lanzarote, to epic Mullaghmore Head, Ireland, he has proved more than enough than he's pretty damn good at riding waves. Multiple European Champion, first Frenchman to ever qualify for the WCT in 2005, Eric paved the way the way to the next generations of European surfers. A true icon, and a true friend.
HOME TOWN: ARRECIFE, CNY
HOME SPOT: EL QUEMAO, CNY
Whenever it gets big, don't be surprise to glimpse Fergal's silhouette charging deep down in the barrel. From his Irish backyard to epic Teahupoo, Fergal has been travelling the world in search of adrenaline rush and is now widely recognized as one of Europe's hardest charging surfers.
HOME TOWN: WESTPORT, IRL
HOME SPOT: MULLAGHMORE, IRL
Mischievous smile and sky high sprays, Gony Zubizaretta is up for no good. His well-earned reputation as a party boy doesn't stop him being in the top list of Europe's best surfers. Born in Argentina, Gony grew up surfing rough coastline of Spain's Galicia. Creative, determined and constatly improving, Gony recently put some excellent contest results under his belt. Always up for a laugh or a barrel, Gony the perfect member of any surf crew.
HOME TOWN: VIGO, SPA
HOME SPOT: PANTIN, SPA
« Black Sharks » ? Sounds like a pretty strange nickname for such a shy and discreet looking man. Jonathan grew up in the Canary Islands, also known as the European Hawaii. With such stomping grounds, it's no surprise you see him killing it once in the water. He's able to surf everything from 1ft to 15ft with the same insolent elegance. He has style, and we're stoked to have him in our team, period.
HOME TOWN: SANTA CRUZ, CNY
HOME SPOT: LAS AMERICAS, CNY
Born and raised on the island of Lanzarorte, Jose Marie has been surfing Canarian waves for all his life. Being one of Spain's most consistent and well-known surfers, Jose Maria impresses with his performance in punshy slabes as well as with lot's of air time on his local beach break. His powerful style, local knowledge and will to push it to the next level make him on of the first choices for the Nixon Surf Challenge.
HOME TOWN: FAMARA, CNY
HOME SPOT: LA SANTA, CNY
Kepa is a unique surfer. Former member of the WQS, he has found a true passion in exploring – alone – the most remote and unsurfed coastlines in the world. Barreling slab in Patagonia, outer-island reef in Alaska, iceberg surfing in Antartica: Kepa has a « fairly good » knowledge of cold water surfing. He'll be at ease in the icy Icelandic waves, no doubts.
HOME TOWN: GETXO, SPA
HOME SPOT: SANTANDER, SPA
Winner of the 2012 Nixon Surf Challenge, how could we avoid inviting Marc to this year's edition? Multiple French Junior Champion and former ASP Billabong World Junior Champion, he has made a big name for himself in recent years, and is really starting to fulfill all the potential he showed in the Junior leagues. Incredibly talented as well as a fierce competitor, Marc is one of Europe’s biggest chances to add another member to their team on the ASP World Tour.
HOME TOWN: CAPBRETON, FRA
HOME SPOT: LA GRAVIERE, FRA
Marlon is the first and so far only German surfer who made it as far as the ASP World Tour. Growing up on the sunny shores of Portugal's South Coast, Marlon developed a smooth style earning him solid results, lots of media coverage and the sympathy all around the globe. Transformed from Underdog to Super Star, Marlon will soon show once more what he's made of - it's not without a reason that he is called "hulk".
HOME TOWN: LAGOS, POR
HOME SPOT: ZAVIAL, POR
Winner of the 2011 Nixon Surf Challenge, Miky is no stranger to the event. Starting off his career in Morocco at age 6, he became the 2nd French surfer to ever qualify to the WCT (2006). Now at the head of Quiksilver Europe's technical division, Miky hasn't put aside his board. We've had the pleasure to see him ripping his home breaks in Hossegor and he hasn't lost one once of his power.
HOME TOWN: CAPBRETON, FRA
HOME SPOT: LA GRAVIERE, FRA
Hailing from Mimizan, France, Vincent is known for stitching smooth moves together with a disconcerting ease. He learned his trade away from the Hossegor spotlight but has worked his way onto the vaunted WQS anyhow. Skilled in the barrel, skilled in the air, skilled on open faces, "Duvi" is that hyper-motivated and super-friendly rider who will bring an undeniable plus to this year's Surf Challenge.
HOME TOWN: MIMIZAN, FRA
HOME SPOT: MIMIZAN, FRA
PHOTO GALLERY
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NIXON SURF CHALLENGE 2012 | EVENT RECAP
LA GRACIOSA, CANARY ISLANDS ON FIRE The 11th edition of the Nixon Surf Challenge presented by Vans and Monster Energy went down on the Island of La Graciosa. After a jaunt to the arctic waters of the Lofoten Islands in 2011, the crew of invited surfers could enjoy one week of sunshine, good times and uncrowded waves.
LA GRACIOSA, CANARY ISLANDS ON FIRE The 11th edition of the Nixon Surf Challenge presented by Vans and Monster Energy went down on the Island of La Graciosa. After a jaunt to the arctic waters of the Lofoten Islands in 2011, the crew of invited surfers could enjoy one week of sunshine, good times and uncrowded waves.
NIXON SURF CHALLENGE ANTHOLOGY
10 YEARS OF PROGRESSIVE SURFING Since 2001, Nixon has established a non conformist surf event driven by our team: The Nixon Surf Challenge. The original competition was developed with Nixon's Surf Team in San Sebastian (EUK) with the the support of the local surfers and community.
10 YEARS OF PROGRESSIVE SURFING Since 2001, Nixon has established a non conformist surf event driven by our team: The Nixon Surf Challenge. The original competition was developed with Nixon's Surf Team in San Sebastian (EUK) with the the support of the local surfers and community.