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MIA: MUNDAKA
Europe's best left disappears?
Mundaka, like many other world class waves, is known for its flat spells. Men have been known to go crazy in the little village after drinking too-strong coffees for weeks, looking down at arguably the most perfect left sandbar in the world, just sitting there, waiting for swell.
Unfortunately, everyone might have to wait a little longer, as the famous Basque sandbar, created by the River Guernika, seems to have completely crumbled away over the winter and spring.
According to local surfer Sancho, "The sandbar right now is f**ked. The natural river current has changed due to drainage and a manmade new sand dune in Laida, the beach in front of Mundaka."
The winter saw only two good days, and the normally supershallow peak is buried under 12 feet of water.
This little town has come to rely on surf tourism as a critical part of their economy, with a WCT contest happening since '00 and surf travelers spending their hard earned pesetatas in local bars, cafes, hotels and surf shops for decades.
The Billabong Pro is scheduled to happen here in October, but more research -- and swell -- needs to happen before anything is decided. "It's a tough situation," Billabong's Graham Stapleberg says. "It's being monitored closely, and the town has made a commitment to research all they can."
Ultimately, it's the Mundaka Surf Club and the ASP's call as to what will happen.
Stay tuned.
RELATED LINKS:
Mundaka Surf Map
Swell of the Year: Oct '01
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Marcus Sanders
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