A lay day was called for the first day of the Rip Curl Search waiting period due to low visibility with foggy conditions. The event is to be held in Belgas, Peniche/Portugal at Supertubes surf break. 

“It’s been very frustrating for us today,” Damien Hardman, Rip Curl Pro Search Contest Director, said in a release. “The waves this morning were a bit tough and then they improved and the sun came out. We got ready to go and the fog came back in. What we don’t want to do is start the round and have to call it because of lack of visibility so we’re off for the day. Next call is 8am tomorrow at Supertubes.”

Supertubes is a fast, hollow beachbreak, limited to experienced surfers on the west coast of Europe. The battle for the world title will ensue with challenging waves. Stephanie Gimore hopes to maintain her lead on tour with one win and two second place finishes, following Brazilian Silvana Lima, who took two titles back-to-back.

The Rip Curl Search is part of the European leg of the women’s ASP World Tour and does not give any of the 18 ASP competitors a homebreak advantage. Next stop on the tour will be the Movistar Peru Classic presented by Rip Curl in Lobitos, Peru.

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search Round 1 Match-Ups:

Heat 1: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Bruna Schmitz (BRA)

Heat 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW), Samantha Cornish (AUS), Alana Blanchard (HAW)

Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Amee Donohoe (AUS), Pauline Ado (FRA)

Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Megan Abubo (HAW)

Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)

Heat 6: Paige Hareb (NZL), Coco Ho (HAW), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)