The Dominican Republic Provides A Perfect Start To 2016 Master Of The Ocean

CABARETE, Dominican Republic - After an insanely fun welcoming party with great food, company and live music, a beautiful morning greeted competitors and spectators on the first day of competition at the 2016 Master of the Ocean. With a solid swell providing overhead surf in the water the competitors were eager to get wet and get the competition started. In its 13th year running, the Master of the Ocean is an event on the northern shores of the Dominican Republic that brings together four water sports: surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing and stand up paddle surfing. Athletes may enter each discipline and whoever has the overall best performance throughout each discipline is dubbed the "Master of the Ocean."

First out in the lineup today saw the stand up paddle surfers take to the water and they put on quite the show. From local shredders like Brandon Sanford and Luciano Gonzales to two-time Master of the Ocean Champion Zane Schweitzer, the action was as hot as the Caribbean sun that was shining throughout the day.

Zane Schweitzer was an obvious stand out in Round 1 as the 2-time defending MOTO champion. | Photos: Supconnect.com

Zane Schweitzer's stand up paddle surfing was on point as he wowed the beach with his powerful and progressive stand up paddle surfing. From forehand blasts to explosive backhand hacks Zane proved that he's hungry to claim another Master of the Ocean title and defend his 2014 and 2015 wins here at Encuentro beach.

"Today has provided some of the best waves I've seen in my 3 years competing here. The conditions couldn't be more perfect with beautiful weather for the Master of the Ocean. The weather has been pretty bad here for the past few days so to have it so beautiful is a blessing, God is on our side. With the swell and conditions being so great it creates an even playing field and more of a competition for everyone."

Pictured: Top row: Brandon Sanford / Bottom left: Dauryn Reynoso / Bottom right: Diony Guadagnino. | Photos: Supconnect.com

Don't count out the Dominican locals though, as they are one talented group of watermen. In heat four of round one there was an incredible display of action from local surfers Brandon Sanford and Dauryn Reynoso and Venezuelan Diony Guadagnino who showcased nonstop action wave after wave throughout the entire heat. You can truly sense they feel right at home here at Encuentro Beach. Look for these guys to be standouts here for the remainder of the week.

The Master of the Ocean scaffolding with a view. | Photo: Supconnect.com

As the stand up paddle surfing wrapped up mid morning, the traditional shortboard surfers paddled out into lineup with still stellar conditions and the action was just as exciting as was in the SUP surfing round. With a mix of both men and women entered into the event, the Master of the Ocean stands out as a unique water sports event in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Stay tuned for daily updates from the 2016 Master of the Ocean right here at Supconnect.com.

To see more news and highlights from the Master of the Ocean Click HERE. To learn more about the Master of the Ocean event, head to their website HERE.

Results so far...

SUP (Stand up Paddling)

Round 1, Heat 1

Athletes: Emmanuel Rondon, Jeremy Green and Francisco Hernández. 
After a close call between Jeremy and Emmanuel, this last one wins with a score of 13.75.


Round 1, Heat 2

Athletes: Shelby Schweitzer, Luciano González and Eniel Narvaez.
The Hawaiian Shelby wins the round over Luciano with 11 points.

Round 1, Heat 3

Athletes: Zane Schweitzer, Carolina Gutiérrez and Derek Gomes.
The actual Master of the Ocean, Zane Schweitzer, gets pumped and wins the heat while putting up higher standards for all competitors by closing it with an astonishing participation and score of 48 points.

Round 1, Heat 4

Athletes: Diony Guadanigno, Dauryn Reynoso and Brandon Sanford.
The Cabarete local Dauryn Reynoso wins the last SUP heat with several maneuvers and a great score of 38.75 points.



SURF

Round 1, Heat 1

Athletes: Emmanuel Rondon, Jeremy Green and Francisco Hernández. 
For this category the Venezuelan Francisco shows off and beats the rest with a score of 37.5 points.

Round 1, Heat 2

Athletes: Shelby Schweitzer, Luciano González and Eniel Narvaez.
Luciano is the Dominican that brings home the glory with this heat by winning with 28.75 points.

Round 1, Heat 3

Athletes: Zane Schweitzer, Carolina Gutiérrez and Derek Gomes.
It was a close competition between to big ones, Venezuelan Derek Gomes comes out victorious with an overall score of 40 points.

Round 1, Heat 4

Athletes: Diony Guadanigno, Dauryn Reynoso and Brandon Sanford.
The Cabarete local Brandon wins with 28.25 points.

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