The waves at Supertubos beach were modest, hovering below the two-meter mark, but they presented a compelling challenge for the surfers as they kicked off the inaugural round. Kikas, the first Portuguese surfer to take to the water in the fifth heat, walked away with a respectable third-place finish, securing a spot in the repechage round. This marks a significant milestone for the Guincho surfer, who has demonstrated his skills in the face of tough competition.
In another heat, Frederico Morais made a remarkable return to the world stage after a hiatus due to a right ankle fracture. His road to recovery was put to the test as he faced off against ranking leader Ítalo Ferreira and 21-year-old rookie Jackson Bunch from Hawaii. Despite the daunting task, Morais managed to accumulate 8.94 points, a testament to his enduring talent and determination. This wildcard entry from the organization has given the 33-year-old Portuguese surfer a chance to reclaim his spot among the elite.
Kikas reflected on his performance, saying, “Perhaps in other heats, with the score I achieved, I would have advanced, but it’s all up in the air. My foot is still hurting a bit, but once I’m in the water, I try to forget about it.” Having only returned to surfing a week and a half ago, Kikas has shown remarkable resilience. His heat was also notable for featuring Brazilian surfer Ítalo Ferreira, who currently leads the global rankings. Ferreira delivered an outstanding performance, securing the best wave with 8.83 points and the highest score of 16.43 points.
The Supertubos beach also played host to three-time world champion Gabriel Medina, who is currently sidelined with an injury. Although there’s no confirmed return date for the Brazilian surfer, he took the opportunity to visit the beach, catch up with friends, and provide commentary for the Brazilian broadcast of the event. Medina’s presence served as a reminder of the high caliber of surfers who have competed at this prestigious event.
Meanwhile, Yolanda Hopkins finished her heat in third place, earning 7.64 points out of a possible 20. Like Kikas, she will proceed to the repechage round. Hopkins attributed her struggles to the challenging conditions, saying, “It was very windy, and I got stuck in the inside at the start. I lost about five to seven minutes, which put me a bit behind. I had to recover my rhythm.” This is Hopkins’ second time competing in the Peniche stage, following her debut in 2023, where she secured an impressive fifth-place finish.
As Hopkins looks ahead, she’ll face stiff competition from current world champion Caitlin Simmers, who leads the rankings, and last year’s Supertubos winner Johanne Defay. In a surprising turn of events, Defay announced that she is 16 weeks pregnant and will be taking a temporary hiatus from surfing to focus on motherhood, making this event in Peniche her last for the time being. The stage is set for an exciting showdown, with these talented surfers vying for top spots and a chance to advance in the competition.
