Previously held in San Sebastian and then last year up in deepest, darkest Norway on the Lofoten Islands, the Nixon Challenge this year chose to host its annual surf comp at one of Europe’s lesser known most southern wave-blessed outpost – La Graciosa, a tiny island a stone’s throw off Lanzarote.

While waves were perhaps not quite as good as hoped for in the Canaries at this time of year, the level of all the invitees was so high that it didn’t really matter. Eventual winner Marc Lacomare said: “This has been an unforgettable week, and to be voted Overall Winner by the guys rather than a panel of official judges is a real honor. To be recognized by your peers is always a special feeling, and for that to happen in a magical spot like La Graciosa… it doesn’t get better than that.

Stay tuned for some video action and more photos.

Hossegor, France- The Nixon Surf Challenge 2012 presented by Vans and Monster Energy just went down on the island of La Graciosa in the Canary Islands, with French surfer Marc Lacomare claiming the Overall Winner prize, while homegrown talent Jonathan Gonzales made local knowledge pay by picking up the award for Best Trick.

The intimate awards ceremony capped a memorable week for the 15 surfers invited to paddle out over the course of six days on the enchanting island of La Graciosa, located just 2km to the north of Lanzarote and home to only 700 year-round inhabitants.

After a week of good times and non-stop surfing on the tiny volcanic island, standout surfers included Jonathan Gonzales, Marlon Lipke, Nic Von Rupp and Joan Duru. Motivating each other to push themselves further and further as the free expression sessions passed, every one of the invited surfers and the unique surroundings came together to create an atmosphere that encapsulated everything that surfing stands for.

That said, none of the surfers present could match the boundless energy and explosiveness of eventual winner Marc Lacomare. Hailing from Hossegor, the 21-year-old impressed from start to finish, spending more time in the line up than anyone else.

Reflecting on the result of his efforts, Lacomare said: “This has been an unforgettable week, and to be voted Overall Winner by the guys rather than a panel of official judges is a real honor. To be recognized by your peers is always a special feeling, and for that to happen in a magical spot like La Graciosa… it doesn’t get better than that. Thanks to Nixon and all the surfers, and to everyone working behind the scenes to make the Nixon Surf Challenge 2012 a contest like no other.”

Jonathan Gonzales was equally pumped to pick up the Best Trick award for his mind-boggling array of aerial maneuvers, and commented: “It’s been a great week, and I’m just stoked to have made some new friends and welcomed everyone to the Canary Islands. Everyone was surfing so good, and to be honest it feels like any one of us could have won Best Trick. At the end of the day, the Nixon Surf Challenge is a great way to remind yourself why you surf in the first place.”

Nixon Europe’s Henning Erlandsen, said: “Firstly, congratulations to Marc and Jonathan for their performances over the week. This event would not have been possible without the help and support of the local community, and on behalf of Nixon I’d like to give a special thank you to the local surfers and the people of La Graciosa, and particularly the Canary chargers Manuel Lezcano, Franito Saenz, Jonathan Gonzales and Jose Maria Cabrera. A big thank you also goes out to the Gines family, who accompanied us every step of the way to make this such a great week. Thanks to you all once again; we could not have done it without you!”