Burle and Bertish take on Mavericks
Northern California’s supreme big wave spot came alive this weekend as crowds flocked to watch the worlds most dedicated big wave riders take on the storm of the decade - creating waves breaking up to 40ft.
Finisterre’s first ambassador, Carlos Burle was one of the worlds top twenty four riders invited to the exclusive event responsible for writing history, as paddle in surfing was pushed to the next level.
Burle - no stranger to big wave events, advanced to the semi final stages of the competition in challenging conditions and went on to win his semi final round - giving a standout performance as the swell peaked forming some of the biggest waves seen over the weekend. Burle was ranked in the final amongst, Chris Bertish, Shane Desmond, Anthony Tashnick, Dave Wassel and Kenny “Skindog” Collins. With the finalists suffering some horrific wipe-outs and serious hold downs, the conditions pushed the pack to the limit. It ended up being a dramatic finish with Chris Bertish, a self sponsored, humble surfer, and renowned Dungeons regular, eventually emerging as the winner scoring some incredible waves.
Tom Kay, Finisterre’s founder couldn’t believe that both Bertish and Burle were side by side in the final, having both spent time in Cornwall where they had given a talk to a sell out symposium hosted by Finisterre. Tom Kay explained “Chris and Carlos met four years ago when Carlos was staying in Cornwall with us. Chris Bertish was spending some time just up the road and they both gave a talk at one of our events. It’s been so exciting sitting in our little tin shed watching these two together once again four years later in some of the heaviest waves seen“. Ernest Capbert added, “We’re so stoked for Chris Bertish, and so happy to see Burle carrying on charging this winter – we’re deeply proud of both of them.”
