Portugal’s Martim Fortes and Indonesian/Columbian surfer, Joaquin AT- Thariq were both standouts all week, in the Mentawai-based event that featured nine young surfers embroiled in a week-long tube duel. In the end they couldn’t be separated by a Capitulo Perfeito criteria, which took into consideration public opinion, the surfers’ votes and the views of a discerning judging panel.
Flush with their shared glory, Martim and Thariq gripped one end each of the 1st place check and the trophy as they stood on the main deck of the Hidden Bay Resort, where the event, supported by Billabong, was hosted. The $1500 euro prize money was split and the resort’s affable owner Alex Ribas assured the duel winners he would arrange a duplicate of the trophy – an elegantly carved wooden barrel.
Despite the split decision both surfers were happy to share the spoils.
“I love to ride the barrel,” stated Thariq, a grin stretching across his face that was almost as wide as the tubes he’d ridden over the last week. Thariq grew up in the Mentawai Islands where his father, Diego,runs a surf camp on Siberut Island.
Raised on a staple diet of barrels and reef, Thariq was always going to be a threat. His favourite wave is a slab, right on his doorstep. He’s also put in plenty of time at the waves where the contest was held and has the scars to prove it.
Thariq acknowledged that the Capitulo Perfeito success will give him the confidence to continue pursuing his surfing dreams. However, when asked about chasing down other waves, he seemed well aware that he might travel the world and not find anything better than his own backyard. “I’m quite happy here at home in the Mentawai,” he said proudly.
The event co-winner Martim Fortes had impressed from day one, displaying a knack for snuffing out the most classic-looking barrels. Asked about what makes a good barrel rider, Martim didn’t mince words. “Balls, patience and luck… it’s maybe 50% balls and 50% technique.”
He was also quick to point out that not only the contest but the whole experience of coming to the Mentawai Islands had been an incredible opportunity for him and the fellow surfers. While Martim thrives in big barrels at home in Ericeira, Portugal, he has his mind set on competing on the QS. His all-round act is as strong and powerful as his surname, ‘Fortes’ suggests and he will certainly be one of the surfers spearheading a new generation of Portuguese contenders that includes Salvadore Valla, Simao Prazeras, Sassa Catarino and Jaime Veselko. The Portuguese push in pro surfing is definitely coming.
Asked about the inaugural Capitulo Perfeito event in the Mentawai, contest organiser, Rui Costa aka ‘Twigga’ was considered in his response. “I think it went well, and I think we found the best waves available in the window, but I think we also learned that it’s hard to get good barrels seven days in a row, even in Indonesia.”
Portugal is home to the original Capitulo Perfeito invitational event, which has now been running for ten years and features a suite of world-class barrel riders, chasing glory on one single day of epic waves. This year’s winner was young Portuguese surfer, Thiago Stock, who took out Rob Machado, Dylan Graves and Balaram Stack in the final.
Asked about his plans for more events with a singular focus on who rides the best barrel, Rui smiled like someone who already had a plan. “I certainly want to do more events outside of Portugal and I definitely want to attract the best surfers, and I can confirm that Indonesia is one of the places I am focusing on.”
There’s no questioning Rui’s vision and ambition when it comes to hosting barrel riding events. His life is devoted to making ‘hollow’ dreams come true for surfers and fans. Rui might just pull it off and expand the Capitulo Perfeito into an enthralling series that champions what surfers care about most – getting barreled.
