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Fiji Pro Event Guide: Paradise, Found
WSL
Official Event Sites: Fiji Pro | Fiji Women's Pro
EVENT WINDOW: May 29 - June 3 (Women's), June 5 - 17 (Men's)
LOCATION: Cloudbreak/Restaurants, Tavarua, Fiji
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT +12
COORDINATES: 17.8577° S, 177.2018° E
BAGGAGE CLAIM: Nadi International Airport, Nadi, Fiji (NAN)
THE ISLAND: Being in the middle of the ocean and all, the island of Tavarua is a perfect spot for a surf contest. That said, getting there is an adventure in itself. You'll need to hire a bus or shuttle to get to the harbor and then hop on a water taxi. The light at the end of the tunnel: Coming up on the island is an excellent first photo of the trip.
Once you've made it there, you're in island paradise. Fiji is a flawless destination that offers everything from perfect surf and unique diving and fishing expeditions to a laid-back waterfront for a little R&R.
THE WAVE: The contests in Fiji have two world-renowned lefthanders to work with. The deep-water beast of Cloudbreak breaks about a mile out from the island and offers up heavy barrels and opportunities for big carves. If Cloudbreak stops pumping (admittedly a rarity) there's Restaurants, a high-performance lefthander along the reef in front of the island restaurant (hence the name), an ideal backup spot.
Paradise extends to the breaks. The promise of consistent, 6-to-8-foot waves get surfers excited to hit this stop of the Tour. But surfers beware: The surf here can get heavy. There isn't much water between you and the reef, so that getting slammed and leaving with a battle wound -- at a minimum -- are big possibilities.
CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR HISTORY: The 2016 Fiji Pro is the fifth edition of the event since its 2012 resurrection. The event has seen some tremendous highs and some gruesome lows. Cloudbreak has seen three perfect heats -- Kelly Slater served up a 20-point total at the 2013 event and Owen Wright wracked up two perfect heats last year. But an early round in 2013 saw Glenn Hall air-lifted off the island after going over the falls and breaking his back.
The Fiji event was a staple on the women's Championship Tour for six years, running from 2001 to 2006 as the Roxy Pro Fiji. It returned two years ago to much fanfare.
NOTABLE: After three years of being an Aussie-dominated event, competitors from the US took control, with Americans winning the next six events. The 2014 event was one of the three event wins that led to Gabriel Medina's historic World Title for Brazil.
Last year continued the tradition of fantastic female performances, ending in dramatic fashion. After rupturing her eardrum, Australian Sally Fitzgibbons headed back out and took the event for the second consecutive year with two nine-point rides in the Final. The Fiji Women's Pro also marks a critical time on the women's Tour: It is the halfway point of the season and, thus, a crucial moment for valuable rankings points.
PAST MEN'S EVENT CHAMPIONS:
2015: Owen Wright (AUS)
2014: Gabriel Medina (BRA)
2013: Kelly Slater (USA)
2012: Kelly Slater (USA)
2008: Kelly Slater (USA)
2006: Damien Hobgood (USA)
2005: Kelly Slater (USA)
2004: Damien Hobgood (USA)
2003: Andy Irons (HAW)
2002: Michael Lowe (AUS)
2000: Luke Egan (AUS)
1999: Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
PAST WOMEN'S EVENT CHAMPIONS
2015: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2014: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2006: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS)
2005: Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
2004: Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
2003: Keala Kennelly (HAW)
2002: Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS)
2001: Megan Abubo (HAW)
Fiji Pro
Mid-season, and the world's best face off against the mythic wave known at Cloudbreak.
Gabriel Medina's flawless surfing in Fiji led to a large jump in the ratings.
Taj Burrow throws in the towel, but not without the heat of a lifetime.
Along with a cool 10 grand USD, the local wildcard gets some bragging rights for creative surfing and cinematic work, combined.
John John, Kelly and Bede took a boat ride to Momi to experience a different side of Fiji.
News
Joe, Mitch, and Jesse break down the movement on the Championship Tour Rankings as competition at Saquarema sent shockwaves through World
The tension rose at the Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill with CT experience being put to the test against the Challenger Series' rising
Australia's heavy-footed contender, Oscar Berry, is back in the Round of 16 with a dynamic display of power surfing for a Round of 16
Luke Thompson emerged victorious in a heat full of CT talent with Frederico Morais, Eli Hanneman, and Jackson Baker all looking to rejoin
An official welcome to the Challenger Series for Lucas Cassity posted a 10-point ride when he needed it most in the dying moments. A