Praia Mole hosts the 14th WSL Layback Pro

Praia Mole in Florianópolis is preparing to once again welcome the world's surfing elite. Until March 10th, the beach will host the LaybackPro, a step valid for Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 of the World Surf League (WSL). The event comes to your 14th edition, consolidating itself as one of the main professional surfing competitions in Santa Catarina. As well as attracting the attention of renowned athletes and promising athletes in the sport.

Praia Mole: a world-class point break

Praia Mole is known worldwide for its long and perfect waves, that is, ideal for surfing maneuvers. fluidity and carving. Located in the east of Santa Catarina Island, the beach attracts surfers of all levels thanks to its geographical formation. The South Bay, where Praia Mole is located, functions as a natural funnel that channels the predominant swell from the south and southeast. That is, generating long, consistent waves with well-defined walls.

In addition to the ideal conditions for surfing, Praia Mole offers a beautiful landscape. The beach has a rocky coast covered in native vegetation and an urbanized coastline with bars, restaurants and shops, making it a popular tourist spot, especially during the summer season.

The Layback Pro: tradition and path to the top

Layback Pro debuted on the WSL QS calendar in 2010 and has since become a mandatory stop for professional surfers seeking valuable world ranking scores. The competition format includes fierce disputes in the male and female categories, therefore, with batteries made up of top athletes from different countries.

Throughout its editions, Layback Pro has revealed talents that are now among the highlights of the world circuit. Thus, names like Miguel Pupo, Caio Ibelli It is Silvana Lima have already passed through Praia Mole in search of significant results at the beginning of their careers. The competition also serves as a showcase for local and Santa Catarina surfers who dream of following the path towards the CT (Championship Tour), the elite of world surfing.

2024 edition: promises, favorites and fierce competition

The 2024 edition of Layback Pro promises a lot of excitement. In men, Brazilian surfers stand out Alejo Muniz It is Yago Dora, both QS names and with memorable spells at CT. Other names to keep an eye on are Australian Jesse Mendes, current leader of the QS ranking, and the Peruvian Alonso Correa, known for his radical and airy style.

In the female category, the Peruvian Daniella Rosas arrives as the big favorite. In other words, the athlete holds the title of three-time South American champion of WSL South America and, in 2022, marked her name in the history of Layback Pro by achieving the highest female score in the competition, an impressive 9.33 points. The Brazilian Taina Hinckel, an experienced QS competitor, and the young promise from Santa Catarina Julia Santos They also promise to put on a show in the waves of Praia Mole.

Beyond the competition: a celebration of surfing and local culture

Layback Pro goes beyond high performance. Therefore, the event functions as a great surfing party, bringing together athletes, tourists and the local community. During competition days, Praia Mole transforms into a stage for several parallel attractions, such as live music shows, surf clinics taught by professional athletes, art exhibitions and stands selling products related to the universe of surfing and the beach lifestyle.

The implementation of Layback Pro also contributes to the development of local tourism, boosting the region's economy with the capacity of hotels, restaurants and businesses. Therefore, the competition reinforces Florianópolis' vocation as an internationally recognized tourist destination and puts Praia Mole in the spotlight as a world-class point break.

Watch Layback Pro live and stay up to date with everything

If you are passionate about surfing and don't have the opportunity to be present at Praia Mole during Layback Pro, don't be sad! The WSL provides live broadcasting of the competition through its official channel on the World Surf League platform. In addition, the broadcast features comments from sports experts, providing an immersive experience for the viewer.

Environmental impact: Layback Pro committed to sustainability

Layback Pro recognizes the importance of preserving the environment. The event organization works together with local environmental entities to minimize the ecological impact of the competition. Measures are adopted such as:

• Garbage collection: Separate bins for recyclables and organics are available throughout the event area, encouraging correct waste disposal.
• Beach cleaning: Beach cleaning actions are carried out before, during and after the event, with the aim of ensuring the preservation of the coastal environment.
• Use of recyclable materials: Whenever possible, the organization uses recyclable materials in the event infrastructure, such as cups, banners and signage.
• Awareness campaigns: Educational campaigns are promoted to alert the public about the importance of preserving the environment and combating sea pollution.

Layback Pro's legacy for Brazilian surfing

Layback Pro stands out as a crucial event for the development of Brazilian professional surfing. The competition provides a high-level platform for national athletes to compete against the best surfers in the world, improving their skills and gaining valuable points in the WSL rankings.

Furthermore, the Layback Pro serves as an inspiration for the new generation of Brazilian surfers. The presence of sports idols at Praia Mole awakens the interest and motivation of young athletes looking to follow the same path. The event contributes to the formation of new talents, strengthening the base of national surfing and projecting Brazilian athletes onto the international scene.

With world-class waves, impeccable organization and a unique commitment to the environment and the development of Brazilian surfing, Layback Pro consolidates Praia Mole as an iconic stage for world surfing. The event is a celebration of sport, beach culture and the pursuit of excellence.

Curiosities about Layback Pro and Praia Mole

For those who want to delve even deeper into the history and atmosphere of Layback Pro, we've brought you some interesting facts:

• Local victory: Praia Mole has already crowned a local surfer as Layback Pro champion. In 2011, Willian Cardoso from Santa Catarina took the highest place on the podium, immortalizing his name on the list of event winners.
• Layback Beer: The event's main sponsor, Layback Beer, is a craft beer brand created by skateboarder and Olympic medalist Pedro Barros. The brand combines the beach lifestyle with the passion for sports, making it a natural partner for Layback Pro.
• Floripa Film Fest: The 2024 edition of Layback Pro will bring something new: the Floripa Film Fest, a film festival aimed at independent productions that have surfing and ocean culture as their themes. The festival will be an opportunity for amateur and professional filmmakers to showcase their work and contribute to the dissemination of surf culture.
• Accessing Praia Mole: Praia Mole is located in the north of Santa Catarina Island, about 17 km from the center of Florianópolis. Access to the beach can be done by private car, via SC-401, or by public transport, with several bus lines leaving from the center of the capital of Santa Catarina.

With information @ WSL Latin America