Home of, The Regular Guy and Adventure
Flawless but difficult Teahupoo in the 9-10ft region greeted the surfers on tour, for Day 1 in Tahiti. There were many standouts, but only one ten point ride thus far, by wild card surfer, Nathan Hedge.
With the winter fast moving into South Africa, I thought a little reminder of tropical and warm summer fun was in order. The gorgeous girls from the Roxy team are just an added bonus.
Good vibes from Tahiti with Monyca Byrne-Wickey, Justine Mauvin, Kelia Moniz and Bruna Schmitz.
At just 16 years old and already loading up the major sponsors and results in her home waters of California, expect to see more of the talented and very hot, Tia Blanco. Originally from Costa Rica, she now calls San clemente home and can no doubt be seen ripping waves and turning heads from T-Street to Trestles. She was recently picked up by Reef and they made a snappy launch video of her surfing and rocking their bikini range – she also seems unfazed by the bigger stuff…
Wow, now that the spit has settled and I have had some time to consider the ramifications of the event in Tahiti, one thing has become absolutely clear! Kelly Slater is finally showing his age and some associated chinks in the armor! Yes, he made the final at Teahupoo, but he was owned by Ace Buchan, who dominated every heat from Round 4 to take the win. Kelly had some serious wipeouts in his final day heats, got owned on the reef and simply did not look his usual calm and dominant self. Forty will do that to you…
Another guy who went to the semi finals but has allowed the door to open on the rankings is Mick Fanning. He is still out in number 2 but the gap is not huge and everyone in the Top 10 still have an outside shot at the title. Luckily for Mick and Kelly (Number 1) there closest rivals Joel and Jordy both dropped by the way side before the Quarters. Jordy was looking strong until a rampant Ace simply shut him down! Kelly owning Joel and thus not a surprise that he and Ace made the final.
Ace was the man though taking down Jordy, Mick, John John Florence and Kelly in 1 day! That is quite the results list for any surfer. He jumps up the ratings into number 10 and will be feeling very confident heading for Trestles. Another man who shined in Tahiti was Freddy Patacchia. The Hawaiian was in sublime form and was unlucky not to make his quarter final when the wave gods deserted him against Kelly. Another old boy standing up and taking names was Kai Otton. before the competition I was writing him off as a definite good bye at the end of the year, but he charged hard and will be a danger in France and Portugal later this year if the waves get meaty! Making the semis he has also climbed up the ratings and will be feeling a lot safer!
One man who failed dismally after a great start to the year was Michele Bourez. I really thought he would do well in this event, but unfortunately it was not to be. Nat Young was my second bad boy! After the start to the year he has had most people were expecting a big result in Tahiti, but the kid dropped the ball.
So, now we head off to Trestles in California with a wide open World Title hunt, led by Mick, Kelly and Joel who can all get a big result at the cobblestone perfection point. They will all have eyes in the back of their heads for Jordy Smith though, who has shown how dominant he can be out there. (Parko knows he should have lost “that” heat last year!) Also look to the Brazilians to come back with Toledo, Medina and Adriano all danger men in California!
Congrats to Ace on a well deserved win! Stoked I picked ya in my Fantasy Team!
CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (Following Billabong Pro Tahiti):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 38,950 pts
2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 37,900 pts
3. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 30,700 pts
4. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 29,200 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 25,400 pts
Its hard to believe this tiny, gorgeous women enjoys nothing more than charging giant waves. When you meet her she does not really espouse the big wave image. But she does love charging these waves as we witnessed when she paddled Dungeons here a few years ago. After a savage beating at Teahupoo in 2011, Maya has now returned to conquer the beast…
Wow, I am absolutely frothing for this event. Not only are we heading to the one wave on tour that can break dreams faster than Wok judging a ladies surf event, but we have one hell of a title battle on our hands for the World Tour. Quietly sitting up top going about his business is, Mick Fanning. The already 2 time World Champ knows his business, but wihthout a win this year, he knows it is time to put a number 1 on his results list.
Sitting in second and third are Kelly Slater and Joel Parkinson, both of whom have already hit 5 perfect tens this season in competition. Probably good to mention that 3 of those for Kelly were at macking 10ft Cloudbreak… Parko is on form though, with the win in Bali and a Semi final in Fiji. Many were hating on his Bali win, but the judges love him and he has a solid track record in Tahiti.
Sitting in fourth and with everything to prove, my man, Jordy Smith. Life is good for the big guy right now! Engaged, the crowds love him and most of the surfers on tour are petrified to get him a heat. He exudes power and confidence this year and will be wanting more than anything to prove himself at the one wave he still needs a result. No easy run for him though as he comes up against good mate and fellow Saffa, Travis Logie, in Round 1 and danger wildcard Alain Riou. Remember how his title run 2 years ago came to an end? This is Jordy’s opportunity to really step up and ensure that he is the number 1 contender for that World Title. Win at Teahupoo, go into number 1 and fly to Trestles knowing the whole tour are terrified of you! (On a side note, Jordy is the number 1 Surfer on the 1 World ranking! Confused, dont worry, everyone is.)
These are your danger men and there are plenty of them, starting with Nat Young. Sitting in 6th in his rookie year and with a solid performance at Cloudbreak, most will want to avoid the goofy footer. Both of the Hobgoods will always be dangerous out at Chopes and you can also sling the Tahitian, Michel Bourez in there, as the Spartan’s form this year has been excellent and he charges backhand tubes. My feeling is that Sebastian Ziets will be a dark horse and with his Hawaiian pedigree will have no problem in the Tahitian lineup. Freddy P is another dangerous low ranked surfer with plenty heat wins out there. Getting a last minute wildcard slot, look to Nathan hedge causing some upsets! The Hog is charging hard and got in due to injuries to a whole bunch of tour surfers. He has won the event in the past…
Lastly, John John Florence has to be in your pickings! The kid is back from injury and absolutely ripping. Even Kelly does not want to come against him at Teahupoo. He is my number 1 pick. Just check his video below…
2013 Billabong Pro Tahiti Teaser from Billabong on Vimeo.
John John Florence – Teahupo’o from Billabong on Vimeo.
With the Billabong Pro about to start in 2 days time, some of the Pros give us their take on what not to do at the infamous wave at Teahupoo. Some of my favorites are, “When the wave be here, dont be there!” and John John Florence, “Dont go right! haha” My Billabong Pro preview will be up tomorrow morning once the heat draw is live.
How NOT To Surf Teahupo’o from Billabong on Vimeo.
With the Billabong Pro just around the corner, get your Teahupoo juices flowing with this epic short film on Laurie Towner and Wade Goodall’s latest trip to the end of the road in Tahiti. Some insane tubes, close calls and massive wipe outs!
Wall of Skulls – Tahiti – Laurie & Wade from Billabong on Vimeo.
The beast awoke on May 13th with solid 20ft waves exploding on the reef at Teahupoo. A large portion of the world’s best big wave hell brigade were there to charge the horrific pits, but it was young Hawaiian charger, Koa Smith with the bomb and possibly one of the biggest, ugliest tubes ever ridden. The first video gives you the personal front row seats, the second is slightly further back, but just take a look at what happens behind the wave. Very Scary! Then watch the swell grow through the day, with the chaos in the channel in the last video…
Teahupoo – 13th of May 2013 – Koa Rothman from spongercity on Vimeo.