The dust has not completely settled yet on the 2007 WCT Tour of Surfing, but there is already a new schedule for the coming season and the 2007 WCT Tour. As all the event venues are pretty much standard, the only real question is, or now we can say was – What is going to happen with Somewhere in Mexico event from Rip Curl Search Pro?

Somewhere in Chile – Rip Curl Search Pro

The dust has not completely settled yet on the 2007 WCT Tour of Surfing, but there is already a new schedule for the coming season and the 2007 WCT Tour. As all the event venues are pretty much standard, the only real question is, or now we can say was – What is going to happen with Somewhere in Mexico event from Rip Curl Search Pro? There was much debate that the event should stay Somewhere in Mexico as the conditions they scored last year were sick, many of the tour veterans claimed they surfed their best waves there. Rip Curl has a provision that the ASP cannot hold another event in the secret location in Mexico until at least 2008 – will Rip Curl the return to Mexico? But as the point of the Rip Curl Search Pro is in The Search, we have a new place for the next Rip Curl Search Pro in 2007 –

SOMEWHERE IN CHILE

The press releases confirmed that the Rip Curl Search Pro 2007 event will really take place Somewhere in Chile. The surfing world is mostly still focused on the 2006 season and the question what will Kelly Slater do. But the Rip Curl Search Pro Somewhere in Chile has crawled into the Foster’s Men WCT Schedule for the 2007. The event will take place Somewhere in Chile, the land known for its long long left pointbreaks. The waiting period for Somewhere in Chile is from June 20 to July 1 of 2007 and the purse for grabs is 280.000,00$.

SURFING IN CHILE

Somewhere in Chile is kind of a logical step from last year. Another relatively unknown or I better say known but not much visited place, Chile is an amazing place to visit, whether you surf or not. Chances are, there will be waves of some kind somewhere, and chances are the waves will be pretty heavy and chances are that the wave will be a long long left. Surfing has been growing here since the ’70s starting around Ritoque but there is still plenty of unexplored places with possible high surf potential. No wonder with miles and miles of coastline all exposed to the Pacific ocean there is bound to be a place Somewhere in Chile to put the next Rip Curl Search Pro event.

So it looks like the pros should get ready and replace the warm waters of Mexico to the cold waters of Chile, their trunks to wetsuits and booties. The water in Chile is pretty cold everywhere all-year round, due to the cold Humbolt Current. Down south, water temperature in Chile hardly ever rises above 60F (16C), so thick wetsuits and booties are a must. Higher in the northern par of Chile, water temperature is a little more friendly, so you can get away with a shorty, but in the time of Some where in Chile Rip Curl Pro Search (June 20-July 1) Chile is in winter and water in north of Chile is in the mid sixties (around 18C).

SOMEWHERE IN CHILE, WHERE IN CHILE?

So, where in Chile is Somewhere in Chile? For now we can only guess. Ok, lets guess :)

Pichilemu

Pichilemu is something that Chile surfing is known for, so it might be the place for Somewhere in Chile event. Pichilemu is located far to the south so cold water and harsh conditions are waiting for a surfer that travels so far south. But south Pacific lows pushed by the cold Humboldt Current generate the most consistent swell on the planet! Surf being to big is more often than being flat. Then there is a deep water trench just of the coast of Chile (26.000ft, 8.000m deep) that gives speed and power to the waves. Winter is the time with biggest swells, mostly reaching up to 7 or 8 ft and then breaking over north facing shores to create a goofy footers heaven, with the usual south wind being offshore. Big tidal changes. Somewhere in Chile, somewhere in Pichilemu?

Iquique, Arica

Iquique is located towards the north of Chile, so the water is warmer but the swell consistency and wave power stay the same. You need a 4WD to explore the spots between Iquique and Arica, which are two cities both rich with waves. Average swell in winter is only a little lower than further south in Pichilemu, it can be up to 6 or 7 ft with better weather conditions than in the south. So maybe this sounds even better for Somewhere in Chile. Anyway, we will see.

You can check the whole Fosters Men WCT Schedule for 2007 below.

FOSTER’S MEN WCT SCHEDULE 2007

There are 11 events in the Fosters Men WCT Schedule for the year 2007 and the dates are the following:

• Feb 27-Mar 11 Gold Coast,Qld-Australia Quiksilver Pro 280.000$
• Apr 3-13 Bells Beach,Victoria-Australia Rip Curl Pro 280.000$
• May 4-14 Teahupoo,Taiarapu-Tahiti Billabong Pro Teahupoo 280.000$
• May 20-31 Tavarua/Namotu-Fiji Globe Pro Fiji 280.000$
• June 20-July 1 Some where in Chile Rip Curl Pro Search 280.000$
• July 11-22 Jeffreys Bay-South Africa Billabong Pro 280.000$
• Sep 11-15 Trestles,California-USA Boost Mobile Pro of Surf presented by Hurley 280.000$
• Sep 21-30 South West Coast-France Quiksilver Pro France 280.000$
• Oct 1-14 Mundaka, Euskadi-Spain Billabong Pro 280.000$
• Oct 30-Nov 7 Santa Catarina-Brazil Nova Schin Pro Brasil presented by Billabong 280.000$
• Dec 8-20 Banzai Pipeline,Oahu-Hawaii Billabong Pipeline Masters 280.000$

REMEBER SOMEWHERE IN MEXICO?

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Foto: ASP images

MORE…

Follow up – Somewhere in Chile – Arica, El Gringo – Arica, Rip Curl Search Pro is on the Way.