<strong>Organization seeks for perfect conditions throughout second swell season at Nazaré</strong>

The 2016 Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong holding period has ended last Saturday (April 30th), after a first extension of the original deadline (March 17th). The <strong>lack of perfect conditions at Praia do Norte</strong>, the event site in 2016, remained throughout all the extra waiting period, preventing the organization from running the competition in the sort of conditions Perfect Chapter is all about: big, hollow, perfect waves.

Due to the <strong>El Niño </strong>effect on the planet, last winter was an <strong>atypical winter in Portugal</strong>, with unusually low rates (10%) of East winds blowing over the Portuguese West coast. In fact, three months passed by without any record of favorable swell and wind conditions consistent enough to provide for a full day of competition in perfect hollow waves at Praia do Norte, forcing the organization to postpone the event.

"We had a very low incidence of East winds in Portugal last winter, mostly associated with very small or very large swells”, contest director <strong>Pedro Monteiro </strong>said. “It was an El Niño kind of winter, with strong West and South winds and no record of wave conditions matchable with the kind of set-up we need to call the event on.”

In this scenario, and relying on unconditional support from the surfers, partners and sponsors, Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong organization decided to <strong>postpone the contest until October</strong>, time by which the event’s holding period will be reactivated with the <strong>same Surfers List </strong>and an new opportunity window from <strong>October 5</strong><strong>th </strong><strong>to November 15</strong><strong>th</strong>. By doing this, the event organizers aim at honoring people’s choices and fulfilling surfers’ expectations, making every effort to set up the most voted surfers on the best waves Nazaré can produce.

This decision relies on the fact that Praia do Norte is a unique surfing spot along the Portuguese coast, with very specific features that provide for a second swell season in the Fall, calling for high expectations to find the perfect day throughout the new holding period.

“Our priority is to match the surfers' expectations as the event’s success relies greatly on them”, event organizer <strong>Rui Costa </strong>said. "We have every surfer’s support on this and our focus now is to honor our commitment to them, our partners and surf fans around the world. Praia do Norte is a unique surfing spot, with a second swell season in the

European Fall, which gives us good prospects for classic days throughout the new waiting period. We will do everything we can so that the surfers and the public get what they were promised”, he added.

“As Allianz wants Perfect Chapter to be an epic event, we support the decision to postpone the contest until the Fall so we can have better chances of running it in a way that will dignify its concept, its partners and its invitees", Allianz marketing director <strong>José Francisco Neves </strong>said. "We approve any decision meant to fulfill the motto of the event: the best surfers on the best waves".

"I totally support this decision”, one of the most voted surfers, <strong>Nic von Rupp</strong>, stated. "Last October I surfed epic conditions at Praia do Norte; there are not many surf spots in the world that go off perfect with that kind of size. If we are fortunate enough to get one of those days, I am sure it will be the best contest ever. It was a good call from the organizers to postpone the event to the Fall because that’s when you get to surf Nazaré at its best.”

The 5th annual Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong will take place <strong>on a date that does not match any international surfing competition happening in Portugal </strong>in October and November.

The Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong is sponsored by Allianz, Billabong, Nazaré City Council, Kia, MEO and it is associated with the media partners RTP, Fuel TV, Jornal i, Mega Hits, SURFPortugal, Beachcam, Surf Session, Fluir, Waves and Surfing Life.

<strong>THE SURFERS </strong>

Nic von Rupp

Tiago Pires

João Guedes

Francisco Alves

Miguel Blanco

Alex Botelho

Bruce Irons

Pedro Vianna “Scooby”

Miguel Tudela

Marco Giorgi

Damien Hogbood

Bobby Martinez

Bruno Santos

Bruno Grilo

Ruben Gonzalez

Koa Rothman

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