Surfing

Emma working on another fully customized order, Mike C.

Love a good single fin, Mike C.

Waves have kicked in again and are in the 5-6ft range from the SE, joined by a light WSW wind. Its pretty much take your pick today with all spots firing, beach breaks are just handling the size but with a bit of searching could be a real good day of surfing! Another good looking day with the chill in the air still hanging around.

South African star tops Adriano de Souza in aerial dogfight at Barra da Tijuca

Round 3 to 5 Highlights - 2013 Billabong Rio ProBillabong Rio Pro Quarterfinalists Decided in Barreling Barra Da Tijuca. More at: http://wctbrasil.com/

Jordy defeats Adriano De Souza in the final; De Souza takes points lead

The final day of the Billabong Rio Pro was a dramatic cap to an otherwise uneventful contest plagued by lay days and overshadowed by a massive Teahupoo swell. Passions were running high on the final day with three of the eight quarterfinalists claiming home-field advantage (Adriano de Souza, Gabriel Medina, and Filipe Toledo). That passion came to a boiling point in the semi-finals when de Souza squared off against Medina in a heat that quickly became a microcosm of youth versus experience, flair versus strategy. A last second backside air reverse by Medina had everyone wondering who won well after the buzzer sounded. Ultimately, Medina’s wave came up just .14 points shy of the 7.94 that he needed to win.

A near perfect performance on the final day of the Billabong Rio Pro saw Jordy Smith scoop the title in front of over 20 000 amped Brazilian surf fans lining the shore at Barra Da Tijuca. That Jordy beat the local favourite Adriano De Souza in the final did little to dampen their spirits, as he put on an entertaining performance for the gathered crowd – which included bows, claims that mirrored the iconic statue overlooking the city of Rio, and a repertoire of aerial manoeuvres which in the end were the difference between the powerful South African and the in-form Adriano when the final turned into a punt-for-punt showdown. Jordy was playing with the crowd throughout the event, wearing the same big grin. It’s Jordy’s first WCT win outside of home waters, last capturing the Billabong Pro J-Bay in 2011, and the smile Jordy wore broadly across his face throughout the event just goes to prove that old saying – the best surfer out there is the one having the most fun. The victory also moves him up into second in the ASP World Tour rankings, just 250 points behind Adriano De Souza who claimed the ratings lead with this result. The win also puts Jordy back where he belongs amongst the world’s elite after a poor 2012 by his own standards. The man is the most in-form surfer in the world at the moment – but you all knew that. Ripping at Snapper, unlucky at Bells, and unstoppable in Rio. He’ll look to keep that form going at Cloudbreak for the Volcom Fiji Pro, the next stop on the 2013 ASP World Tour. For all the photos, heat reviews and results go to: http://wctbrasil.com/rio13 Check out the official press release below. ******************** JORDY SMITH WINS BILLABONG RIO PRO, ADRIANO DE SOUZA TAKES ASP WCT RATINGS LEAD Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, wins the 2013 Billabong Rio Pro over Adiano de Souza (BRA), 26. BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (Sunday, May 19, 2013) – Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, has won the Billabong Rio Pro in a hard-fought final over national favorite Adriano de Souza (BRA), 26, by a score of 17.80 to 16.34 in clean two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Barra Da Tijuca. Stop No. 3 of 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Billabong Rio Pro utilized the entirety of the event waiting period, culminating in a high-performance showdown from the ASP Top 34 amidst a bevy of barrels and ramps of Barra Da Tijuca. Smith showed an incredible variety of technical airs and turns in the Final against De Souza, launching a massive straight frontside air for a 9.33 and a stailfish air-reverse for an 8.50 to top De Souza for the win. The Billabong Rio Pro victory marks the third career ASP WCT event win for Smith and his first away from South African soil. “This win feels unbelievable,” Smith said. “It’s another dream come true. I knew I could win a World Tour event, but I had to prove to myself that I could do it away from South Africa. Thanks to crowd and Adriano (de Souza). He’s been ripping the whole event. Thanks to all of my friends and family for all of the amazing support.” Smith’s run to the final was nothing short of amazing as the South African powerhouse defeated dangerous rookie Filipe Toledo (BRA), 18, and two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 31, en route to the Final. Smith attributed today’s success to his ability to adapt to both his competitors and the ever-changing conditions of Barra Da Tijuca. “I knew it was going to be tough,” Smith said. “I was really nervous in the first heat against Filipe (Toledo). Luckily I got through that one and when I came up against Mick I waited for better waves. When the swell dropped against Adriano and he took to the sky, I knew I was going to have to do the same, but luckily I got a couple of scores.” Smith now sits at No. 2 on the ASP WCT Rankings. De Souza, 2011 Billabong Rio Pro winner, went on a rampage to advance to his second career Billabong Rio Pro Final, eliminating 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA

Upcoming Art Show in Texas.. Can't wait... Travel day today.. got to surf with Martin Potter and son and hang out recently.. GREAT kids and super stoked.. here are some shots.. photos by Dave Marriner