Algarve Surfers Set for Trestles

Algarve surfer João Maria Mendonça won Event 2 of the European “Totally Crustaceous Tour 2015/2016” (TCT) in the “Squids” category (Under 10). It was the second victory of this young prodigy from Arrifana in the Volcom circuit, after the success in Rumblefish @ Amado Beach, in August of last year. The 10 year old surfer is in excellent position to win the European ‘Squid’ passport to the world finals, the TCT Global Championships in Lower Trestles, California, U.S.A., in June.

João Maria Mendonça achieved a clear victory in his category in the Canary Islands, in Lavafish @ Punta Hidalgo, Tenerife, last weekend, the 27^th and 28^th February. João Maria Mendonça was the most consistent surfer in the “Squid” category, always growing thoughout all the heats until the finals. “He was always the first to begin the heats, catching a good wave right from the start”, said coach Miguel Mouzinho, who went with the athlete to the event.

João Maria Mendonça now has two victories in the “Squid” category in the European TCT 2015/2016. Volcom will take to the TCT Global Championships in Trestles the best European in the “Squid” category. The ‘ranking’ is made with the two best results in four events. The next event will be held in Costa de Caparica, Portugal, between the 28^th and 29^th March, the last being in Hossegor, France on the 23^rd  and 24^th of April. It is highly unlikely that the one European Squid passport to Trestles will not be handed to the Algarve surfer João Maria Mendonça.

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Francisco Duarte was Pro Am runner up at Tenerife and has a good chance to make trough the global Volcom’s TCT finals (®DR)

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The European TCT 2015-2016 also selects the 3 best Pro Am (Under 20), the top 2 Juniors (Under 16), Grom (Under 13) and Girls (Under 20) for the world finals in Trestles. Well ranked in the race is another Algarve surfer, Francisco Duarte, who was the Pro Am runner-up at Amado and now at  Tenerife.

Portimão surfer Francisco Duarte won all his heats including the quarter finals and placed 2nd in the semi-finals in Tenerife. He scored above 14 points in the quarter finals and the semi finals, always controlling his heats. In the Pro Am final, Francisco Duarte lost to compatriot Miguel Blanco.

“I am very happy with the result, especially because they had very strong athletes from last year  European Junior Pro. And it was the icing on the cake scoring high points in waves from the first heat to the finals”, said Francisco Duarte, to the Swell-Algarve.