This year the highly anticipated showdown in Pozo Izquierdo, Gran Canaria marks the opening of the PWA wave world tour. The most impressive male and female windsurfers from around the globe will battle it out from the 6th to the 9th of July in the relentless winds and waves for their share of the ?45,000 prize purse, as well as gaining precious points towards their overall world ranking.

The full 48-man fleet, and list of thirteen women reads like a who's who of professional wave sailing, with a plethora of world and event champions from across the three PWA disciplines, all eyeing up the ultimate Canarian prize.

Wind and Waves

The awesome conditions found at this highly regarded destination allow the sailors to perform the most extreme and radical maneuvers known to windsurfing. Expect insane action, and top competition from the world's best riders in howling 40 knot winds and steep waves. The local effects in Pozo Izquierdo mean that even the slightest of breezes is quickly enhanced creating the ultimate wave sailors playground. It's not unheard of for the biggest guys to be reaching for their 65L boards and 3.7s or even 3.3s at this event.

High Flyers

Men

With the distinct conditions found in Pozo Izquierdo, and the entourage of local hot shots, this event can often cause some major upsets to the PWA wave tour regulars. In previous years the event has been dominated by port tack specialists, which included last years teenage champion, and Pozo resident, Philip Koster (Starboard, NeilPryde, Dakine) who exploded onto the scene with his impressive jumping style. Many of the competitors have wised up to this, and now spend months training in town beforehand.

Regulars

Spanish hotshot, Victor Fernandez (Fanatic, North, MFC) has won the wave title three times here in Pozo, but had to settle for second last year due to newcomer kid Koster. Fernandez has been training hard all winter in plenty of port tack locations including Chile and South Africa, and will be keen to claim back his crown.

Another tour regular hungry for success at Pozo will be Brazilian sensation, and former wave world champion, Kauli Seadi (JP, NeilPryde, MFC). Known for his radical riding in the pocket surf style, he's also more than capable of boosting huge port tack jumps, and smacking onshore lips. In the past his superior natural ability has seen him compete with the most hardcore of locals, and has even resulted in a few podium finishes. Seadi will be looking to play a consistent game in Pozo with his eye firmly fixed on the ultimate prize of winning back his overall world title rather than simply the Gran Canarian bragging rights, but a win here would see him well on his way.