In Russia, there are only a few places suitable for surfing, which include Kamchatka, the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, Primorye Region, Leningrad Region and the settlement of Teriberka in Murmansk Region. But the Kamchatka Peninsula washed by the Pacific Ocean is a unique surfing destination: you can surf here year-round. There is no need to wait for waves — they are always there.
SnowaveFest 2017, which kicked off on July 31 and lasted until August 5, was organized by Snowave Surfschool Kamchatka, the first professional surfing school in Russia.
The festival included the first open surfing championship, "Kamchatka Republic," took place on Khalaktyrsky Beach.
More than 40 participants from different parts of the country – and even from New Jersey (USA) – came to ride the waves during the competition.
Anyone over the age of 12 and had medical approval and insurance, could apply for this surfing championship.
A participant of the 2017 SnowaveFest surfing festival held at the shore of the Pacific Ocean in Kamchatka Region, Russia, July 31.
The tournament was held in three rounds: the qualifying round, semifinal and final.
The open surfing championship included competitions in two disciplines: Shortboard (for surf boards no longer than 7 feet) and Longboard (for surf boards starting from 8.4 feet).
The first place in Longboard competition went to Alexei Suvorov from Khabarovsk. Alexander Shapovalov from Petropavlovsk- Kamchatsky won “gold” in the Shortboard event.
Lyudmila Orlova, who was the only female surfer in the contest, took third place in both disciplines.
In addition to the surfing championship, SnowaveFest 2017 included a kite contest and a photo exhibition dedicated to the history of surfing in Kamchatka, as well as several master classes and open surfing lessons.
A participant of the 2017 SnowaveFest surfing festival held at the shore of the Pacific Ocean in Kamchatka Region, Russia, July 31.
In Russia, surfing has been officially recognized as a sport since 2015. In 2016, surfing was included in the Olympic program, ahead of its upcoming debut at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.
A participant of the 2017 SnowaveFest surfing festival held at the shore of the Pacific Ocean in Kamchatka Region, Russia, July 31.
