Mascaret, the "French Pororoca"
Brazilian Surfer and Journalist Conquers the Longest Wave in Europe
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 November 2004: - - Surfer and surf journalist, Serginho Laus (24) conquered the longest wave in Europe, after becoming the first Brazilian to confront Mascaret, the "French Pororoca". This phenomenon occurs in the Dordogne River near the city of Bordeaux. Laus practiced first being towed in and caught a wave, which he surfed for 3 kilometers on the same wave!
After 10 days of traveling, the expedition team of " Surf in the Jungle-Mascaret," formed and coordinated by Serginho, who is a specialist in tidal phenomena's, with filmmaker Vinicius Sguarezi and photographer, Carlos Henrique Martin, composed the first Brazilian team with the mission of confronting the "French Pororoca". This brought together education about the environment, cultural exchange and preparing geographical studies, making this one of the biggest adventures put together in the aquatic world, capturing and mapping all of the tidal phenomenon's in the world.
Serginho already has 10 years of experience surfing the Pororoca and never imagined that he would find another spot in which the same phenomenon occurs and has the same impact as the rivers of the Amazon.
"The sensation of getting the boards ready and the boats traveling through a place unknown (to me), to feel the adrenaline of seeing the wave coming, the paddling, and surfing the wave reminds me of our phenomenon, with the difference that in France we needed wetsuits, booties and gloves. In certain spots, the bottom is full of rocks making the wave faster and more dangerous," says Laus. In contrast to the Amazon, where we see wild animals on the banks of the river, in France we saw castles, vineyards, and scenery that only the old continent has to offer!"
Though nothing is perfect! On the first day, the team was surprised by a wave that closed out on top of the boat, sinking it. " I couldn't have imagined that phenomenon! We almost lost 50 thousand Reais, (about $22,000) worth of equipment. There was panic and the whole expedition was almost aborted. It wasn't fun at all!” said Vinicius, who for the first time saw a wave in a river. The situation was tense and when I looked, Serginho was thrown from the boat and was under water."
Between one adventure and another, the team ended up capturing the best conditions of the Mascaret this year, being lucky to have the sun shining at the right time on the longest wave in Europe, taking "Brazuka" Serginho Laus on a non-stop ride for 3 kilometers.
"Surfing the Mascaret like surfing the Pororoca; demands a lot of strength. In order to prepare for this, I did extensive training using the "Tarzan" method developed by Rodrigo of Surfindoor, to be able to stay as long as possible in the wave. The Island, Ilha do Mel in the state of Parana, was our base. There we were able to train and test out the equipment" commented Laus. " Nutrition also influences your performance, and for that reason, we concentrate on eating a lot of protein and carbohydrates." Jack's Link was essential as we would stop in the middle of a session to eat some dried meats."
"The impact of the pororoca is impressive especially when you talk about the feared wave coming out of the biggest jungle in the world, the Amazon," tells photographer Carlos Henrique Martin. "During a conference put on by Laus, we felt that we were completing the exchange, besides the education regarding the environment that was done with Eco Terra Brazil, showing the importance of preserving the land in which we live," concluded Martin.
After opening the doors to the Mascaret, Laus promises to revolutionize the world of adventure, confronting the tidal phenomena's around the world, surfing the longest waves in different conditions and peculiarities. Next year, his objective is to discover new waves in the Amazon, try to make and break the record for the Guinness Book of Records, and conquer the powerful Chinese pororoca, the Silver Dragon.
The surfer from Parana was sponsored by Rede de Comunicação Ambiental EcoTerra Brasil (www.ecoterrabrasil.com.br), co-patrocínio da Jack Link´s (www.jacklinks.com.br), Photon - Tecnologia KWK (www.toho.com.br), Goofy (www.goofy.com.br) and Hot Buttered (www.outsidepr.com.br). Apoio Institucional da Confederação Brasileira de Surf (CBS), Ministério do Esporte, Comitê Olímpico Brasileiro, Pro-Lite, Keahana, Luciano Leão, Red Beach, Mormaii, Jovem Pan - Curitiba e waves.com.br.
With all this support, Laus will be carrying with him the green and yellow flag representing his country in one more sporting conquest.
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Report submitted by Serginho Laus, CBS
apororoca@uol.com.br.
Translated by Maile Aguerre, ISA.
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