What a day!
The 2024-2025 season of the Volcom Surf Happening resumed on Saturday, February 22, in the beautiful town of Sagres, Portugal. Surfers who qualified through the online competitions last summer gathered for the main event to battle it out for the €4,000 prize purse.
It was incredible to see a wide range of European countries represented, with up-and-coming surfers from Spain, the UK, Italy, Ireland, the Canary Islands, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and, of course, Portugal—hanging out like one big family.
With a solid 3.5-meter, 18-second northwest swell forecasted, the sheltered beach of Mareta was ideal for running the competition. The day began with rippable blue A-frames under the sunshine—a dream in the middle of winter.
The event’s unique format pushes surfers to unleash their maneuvers, as each competitor surfs three heats throughout the day, with only their best wave and best maneuver considered for the overall score.
The first two rounds saw great surfing from most competitors, with plenty of fun waves on offer. However, the low-tide closeouts in round three made it more challenging to land combos.
Spectators were treated to a nonstop show and had to stretch their necks, with competition action in the middle of the beach, while on each corner, the Volcom Surf Team and freesurfers put on a clinic on the fast, hollow rights and the wedgy lefts.
Congratulations to Mel Canhoto from Portugal and Irish surfer Joshua Karbus for sweeping the event, claiming the best wave and best maneuver titles in their respective categories!
And of course, kudos to all competitors for the show they put on, and a huge thank you to the parents and coaches who helped make it happen!
Women Best Wave
1 - Mel Canhoto
2 - Julieta Rodriguez-Villamil
3 - Sofia Matos
Men Best Wave
1 - Joshua Karbus
2 - Theo Coathalem
3 - Samuele Agliani
Women Best Maneuver
1 - Mel Canhoto
2 - Julieta Rodriguez-Villamil
3 - Chiara Cuppone
Men Best Maneuver
1 - Joshua Karbus
2 - Theo Coathalem
3 - Daniel Roman
After the prize-giving and a classic product toss, the day ended at Three Little Birds with a surf movie night and free food for all participants. The venue later opened to the public for the premiere of young local Salvador “Sassa” Catarino’s clip, 'Paranoid Whisper', in collaboration with Captain Fin.
The crowd was amped, and the party kicked off when Sassa’s band, Candler, ignited the chaos. It was then time for the younger ones to head to bed, while the valiant kept the night going with DJ Miso Blue.
A huge thank you to Algarve Surf Clube, Vila Do Bispo Câmara, Captain Fin, Three Little Birds, and all the staff who helped make the event run smoothly!
The top 20 male and female surfers qualified for the main event in Sagres, Portugal where they’ll compete in an original and exciting format, with cash prizes, side activities, and tons of giveaways!
MAIN EVENT
Location: Sagres, Portugal
Date: February 22-23, 2025
Original & Fun Format:
• Each competitor will surf two or three heats
• Performances will be judged by Volcom Team Riders and seasoned judges
Two Main Challenges:
• Best Wave of the Event (Per Division)
- 1st: €800
- 2nd: €400
- 3rd: €200
• Best Maneuver of the Event (Per Division)
- 1st: €300
- 2nd: €200
- 3rd: €100
Extras:
• Surf movie night and live music by Candler at Three Little Birds on Saturday February 22nd from 7:30PM
• Tons of prizes from Volcom and sponsors
• Hangout with the Volcom Surf Team
QUALIFIER RESULTS
Women
Adriana Hidalgo
Ane Loreiro
Carla Mendez
Carla Morera
Chiara Cuppone
Clémence Schorsch
Diana Giorgi
Inés Kramna
Julieta Rodriguez
Laine Fernández
Lee-Ann Boudine
Lua Escudeiro
Magnolia Rossi
Malia Dupouy
Mel Canhoto
Nadia Nalesso
Nora Alvarez
Rose Calvez
Sofia Matos
Suri Rodrigues
Takihei Ellacott
Men
Aaron Bacon
Alejo Valido
Álvaro Casanova
Antonio Lucas
Benjamim Magalhães
Esteban Coucoulis Lapierre
Francisco Anglani Cornielle
Francisco Magalhaes
Gabriel Abiven
Gustavo Viana
Jorre Claeys
Joshua Karbus
Makoa Gómez
Manuel Couto Pirujinho
Mário Barderas Leopoldo
Peio Ostolozaga
Pietro Garroux
Samuele Agliani
Teo Basterra
Theo Coathalem
Volcom Surf Happening is the ultimate platform for young surfers to show their skills in a fun and competitive environment. This year’s qualifiers make participation easy, with a simple online submission process showcasing the best waves and maneuvers of the summer.
QUALIFIERS
How to Enter:
• Film your best wave and best maneuver of the summer
• Post on Instagram, tagging #volcomsurfhappening and @volcomhappening, and including time and location in caption
Rules:
• Entries are open from July 1 to August 31, 2024
• Waves must be filmed in Europe during in July or August
• Competitors must be born after August 31, 2007
• A parent or guardian must sign up online and agree to the contest rules
• Competitors can submit unlimited posts to improve their chances
Judging & Results:
• All entries will be reviewed after the submission deadline (September 2024)
• Top 20 men and top 20 women qualify for the main event. An alternate list will also be created.
