Victor Bernardo and Ainara Aymat emerged as winners at the inaugural Twin Fin Invitational, a unique surfing contest held in Seignosse, France, on October 23 and 24. Organized by William Aliotti, a talented surfer from Saint-Martin, the event featured 28 competitors riding twin-fin boards in a relaxed atmosphere, prioritizing creativity over competition.
The event drew a notable lineup, including surfers such as Asher Pacey, Chippa Wilson, and McKenzie Bowden. Each participant was awarded €5,000 ($5,408 USD) for their performance, determined by a peer vote after two days of thrilling waves.
Aliotti introduced an unconventional format, featuring mixed-gender heats with a board-swapping element. Competitors had to use twin-fin boards with a minimum tail width of 19.5 inches. Instead of traditional scoring, judges focused on the surfers’ flow, style, and innovation.
Highlights included impressive performances from Chippa and Aliotti, who executed carve-to-air combos, alongside Jaleesa Vincent and Tosh Tudor, who showcased their board’s capabilities in numerous tube rides. Bernardo’s remarkable versatility and power stood out, as he maneuvered an Album Sunstone model with finesse.
The Twin Fin Invitational reflects a growing trend in 2024, joining a roster of specialty events like the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang and the WSL’s J-Bay Classic. The next major event on the horizon is the Vans Pipe Masters, scheduled for December.
“I wanted to create something special with these surfers because we all love the same thing,” Aliotti remarked. “No crazy hype—just good vibes, great waves, and the best free surfers in the world doing what they love.”
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