Who will be the "Next Top Waterman?"

Master of the Ocean Week is here!
"...this is the biggest event of the Winter and it marks the 'peak' of the Winter Surf Season" says current SUP Champion and competitor John Holzhall.

Q. Who will be the "Next Top Waterman?"
A. I spoke with Luciano Gonzolas in the surf this morning and he is certain that he will win!

Q. Luciano Gonzales, Why?
A. He has been training hard and he knows all three sports. The "tri- athlete" bracket is easier if you can do all three sports.

Q. Do you think you can win it?
A. I need an angle and that angle is big waves...I mean massive surf. The kind of surf people get hurt in. If we get big surf, I have a good chance.

Q. What is the outlook?
A. I'm calling for a swell to hit Friday night, I hope it's big!

Q. How does the judging work?
A. There are two brackets, the guys that are doing all the sports have a bracket and Individual sports have a Bracket.

Q. Who are the Judges?
A. Julian Kidd is the Competition director
SURF Ronald Quevedo
Kite Raul Corniel
Windsurf Adolfo Ramirez

Q. How does the judging actually work?
A. The Metric system is used for the Surf. Contestants get one point for a wave and then points for hitting the wave the hardest. Only the best 2 waves in a 20 minute heat count.

Q. Give me an example?
A. Well, Snoop... drop in - hit the lip - in the pit and back to the lip - down the line- head dip then off the lip. You hit that and you'll score 1.9..one for the wave . 9 for the action 1.9. Got it?

Q. How about Kite and Windsurf?
A. Overall impression rules apply to the wind sports because they are so much more dynamic.

Q. Give me an example?
A. Well Snoop, you will leave a lasting impression if you hit the wave face hard and boost high.

Q. What does someone have to do to become "Master of the Ocean?"
A.They have to be the best tri-athlete. Conditions dictate and contestants adjust. Wind and Water are the two most powerful forces on earth, the winner will be the person who dominates them the best.

Q. What is the best part of Master of the Ocean?
A. Getting paid to rip Encuentro and partying like a rock star because you know, no place does parties like the DR does. Masters is the biggest Ocean Sports celebration!