<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The organization behind La Vaca Gigante announces the official opening of its waiting period, which, as a major innovation in its 12th edition, now extends throughout the entire calendar year. This decision reinforces the philosophy of the event: to hold the championship only when the sea reaches its maximum potential, with the XXL waves that have made the competition a benchmark in international big wave surfing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The extended waiting period will allow the organization to choose the most demanding day possible and improve logistics, while maintaining the essence that has made La Vaca Gigante a unique event: local and international surfers, strictly paddle-in (no mechanical assistance), facing waves that can reach between 7 and 9 meters high—or even higher during the most powerful sets. This will only occur if such conditions ensure both the spectacle and safety at the La Cantera cliffs in Cueto (Santander), in front of Punta Vergajo and the Malasmañas reef.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In its last edition, La Vaca Gigante drew around 10,000 spectators on-site, along with millions of viewers via broadcasts and digital platforms, solidifying its status as one of the major international big wave surfing events.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Official Launch</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The new edition of La Vaca Gigante was officially presented at the Hotel Real in Santander, in an event with strong institutional backing. The Government of Cantabria highlighted the social, environmental, and touristic significance of La Vaca Gigante as an event that promotes the region’s image through sport and respect for the natural environment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The event was attended by the Regional Minister of Development, Housing, Land Planning and Environment, <strong>Roberto Media</strong>; the Regional Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Universities, <strong>Sergio Silva</strong>; and the Regional Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports, <strong>Luis Martínez Abad</strong>. Also present were the Government Delegate in Cantabria, <strong>Pedro Casares</strong>, and Santander’s City Councillor for Tourism, <strong>Fran Arias</strong>, alongside members of the organizing team, participating surfers, and representatives from the sports and social spheres.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the presentation, the Regional Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports emphasized that La Vaca Gigante goes beyond the purely athletic and has become a powerful tool for sustainable, year-round tourism promotion. He also highlighted that it is one of the few sporting events held within a UNESCO Global Geopark—Costa Quebrada.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>International Reach and Event Essence</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Event organizer <strong>Pedro García</strong> emphasized the legacy and consolidation of La Vaca Gigante after twelve editions, praising the institutional, social, and human support that sustains it. “We’re very happy to announce this 12th edition, thanks to the commitment of public institutions, the audience, the supportive and patient suppliers, the volunteers, and everyone who makes La Vaca Gigante possible in Cantabria,” said García, who stressed that it is now a fully established international competition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He reminded attendees that La Vaca Gigante is part of the <strong>Big Wave Alliance</strong>, an international circuit that brings together big wave surf competitions across continents. “Today, during the presentation, we’ve seen surfers from three continents,” he said, highlighting the presence of athletes from<strong> Indonesia, South America, and Europe</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the organizer, the ability to bring surfers from around the globe to Cantabria for this wave makes the event truly unique. “Gathering the worldwide surfing community here in Cantabria, around this magical wave, and connecting it through the sea—and La Vaca Gigante in particular—is a huge thrill and deeply rewarding for the club,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Environmental Commitment and Sustainability</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Regional Ministry for the Environment emphasized that La Vaca Gigante fits perfectly within the regional government’s sustainability and natural environment protection policies. This year, through the public company <strong>MARE</strong>, environmental awareness activities will be carried out, including selective waste collection containers and an environmental education tent.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The organization continues initiatives such as <strong>‘La Vaca Cero Plástico’ </strong>("Zero Plastic Cow"), aimed at eliminating single-use plastics during the competition—a measure that in past editions has led to the removal of dozens of kilos of waste from the Cantabrian coast. Added to this is the event’s carbon offset certification, which will also be in place for the 2026 edition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Educational Values and Social Responsibility</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Regional Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Universities also highlighted the educational value of the event, emphasizing sport’s role in promoting values such as effort, personal growth, teamwork, and environmental awareness, in line with the<strong> ‘Cantabria es Salud’ </strong>("Cantabria is Health") plan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the social front, La Vaca Gigante is strengthening its commitment this year through a partnership with<strong> Mi Grano de Arena</strong>, a platform that brings together more than 4,600 non-profits and foundations. The partnership will support <strong>solidarity sports challenges</strong> alongside participating surfers and event ambassadors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>ABOUT LA VACA GIGANTE</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">La Vaca Gigante is a big wave surfing competition organized by<strong> Club ObsessionA2</strong> and presented by <strong>Obsession Surf Santander</strong>. It is supported by the<strong> Government of Cantabria</strong>, the <strong>City of Santander</strong>, and various public and private entities. The championship is twinned with<strong> El Buey Santos del Mar</strong> in <strong>Chile </strong>and is part of the <strong>Big Wave Alliance</strong> international circuit.</div><div><br /></div>