Brazilians love to surf; and, as the rest of the world has come to learn, Brazil has some damn good surf. However, it isn’t all about the waves. A huge country with a population as diverse as they come, Brazil is a giant melting pot of culture, art, music, color and life. With towering high-rises and crumbling favelas providing a paradoxical background to the picturesque beaches, it is a country that demands you take the time to explore what lies beyond the beaches. When in Rio last year covering the Billibong Pro I fortunate enough to be able to take some time and photograph the Favela’s along with some of the surfer’s I was traveling with. It was pretty amazing to see the beauty tucked away in such a poverty stricken area. The people we met were amazing and full of life, offering some incredible photo opportunities.

Sure Kelly may have won the Quiksilver Pro yesterday, but ask anyone who was watching the comp and they’ll tell ya, it was Michel Bourez standing out heat after heat. With a combination of pure, raw, strength and technical rail work, Michel was able to constituently drop high scores through a contest that saw more varied conditions than his home country of Tahiti has on its coast. His heat with Alejo was hands down the most entertaining heat of the comp, with both guys absolutely blowing up. It’s good to see Michel back in top form after last season left him with less than desirable results. After Snapper it’s clear that every guy on tour is going to be fearing the Spartan because tricks may be for kids, but Michel knows its pure power that wins titles.

This image is from Fernando de Noronha from a few years back. This is Monyca Byrne-Wicky and Koa Smith when they just groms, psyching to be on a surf trip in such a beautiful place. I have really been wanting to go back but for one reason or another have been unable to make the journey. Noronha is in my opinion one of the best places on earth.

… and what a great one it is. If you feel that I have been neglecting you on here, well its because I have: but for good reason. I’ve been hanging with the family, taking my kids skating and surfing, enjoying the food weather and fun waves, and really just bringing in 2013 in style: and I hope you have as well. To top it off Gary, from Brownfish Handplanes was kind enough to send up two new planes for me to enjoy, and enjoy I have. The clean little afternoon days have been epic for getting in the water and going for a swim. On that note, enjoy these shots, go surf, and I hope 2013 brings nothing but good times and good waves.

Thanks Gary!

cant beat a morning view

It all comes down to this; Kelly and Parko are both still going in the Pipe Masters with a chance at the 2012 World Title. So who’s it going to be? Let us know your thoughts…

Indonesia is always a productive place for us. The waves, the light, the backgrounds, all make for some pretty amazing images. This year was no different, as I’m sure you’ve noticed from our multiple posts on this trip alone. We’ve had multiple photos popping up in Ads, mags, and online, but the topper (as it is for any trip) is scoring the cover. So we were obviously pretty psyched when Junji from Surfing Life Japan sent over their new cover featuring a flawless backside carve from Julian and Macaronis. The surfing during these days at Maccas was some of the best I have ever seen, and I promise you can look forward to more and more of the images from them popping up in the near future.

To anyone who knows the guy, or to any one who has seen him surf for that matter, it comes as no suprise; but Nat Young has officially made the World Tour for 2013 and we couldn’t be more stoked for him! There isn’t a guy who has put in more work, or deserves this more than Natty, and let me tell you, big things are to come from this kid. For one, Nat hates to loose. Let me repeat that, Nat freakin hates to loose. You want to play a friendly game of backgammon in Indo with Nat, he’s giving you the death stare the whole time. Looking to shoot hoops on the North Shore, Natty’s throwin bows and looking to swat every shot you attempt. The guy is a fierce competitor and it shows in his Junior and WQS Careers, earning multiple titles and event wins as he’s climbed the rankings. If that isn’t enough to convince you to save a spot on your fantasy team for him, the kid’s backhand is some of the tightest, best surfing you are going to see on tour: mixed with a new school arial approach that holds its own with his peers. The kid from Santa Cruz has a fire burning in him, a fire to do proud by his town, a fire to prove that his name deserves to be up there with the best, a fire to go out and dominate guys on tour. My bet, rookie of the year, and a major force on tour for years to come.

Once again, congrats Natty!!!

Surfing has always had it’s shares of characters: Dora, Potz, Andy, Gerr, and plenty of others who not only ripped, but brought a bit of flare and fun along with them. Heading the new crop of guys that have come to realize that surfing is a hell of a lot better when your having fun, is none other than Matt “Wilko” Wilkinson. Not one to stray from ridiculous clothes, and even more ridiculous wetsuits, Wilko backs up his antics by absolutely ripping in the water. Solidifying himself as one of the World Tour standouts his rookie year, Wilko just couldn’t seem to put it together in year two.

Midway through the season Wilko joined us aboard a Mentawai boat trip, and to say that his surfing was impressive wouldn’t even begin to do it justice. His lightning quick backhand that he is so well known for was absolutely tearing apart waves. Yet, what was even more impressive was what he through down over a few days at Macaronis. He threw down mind-blowing combos with enough consistency that he could have put together a full video part (actually he pretty much did just that on his website). The variation of turns he has on his forehand is astounding, I mean who the hell does double hand drag cutties? Needless to say he left everyone impressed, and a bit bummed at the thought that one of surfings most entertaining (in and out of the water) may be missing from the tour.

Thankfully for surf fans world wide, this last week at the Cold Water Classic Wilko put that backhand to use, dominating his way into the final and securing himself a spot on next years tour. His surfing was on point and gave us all a glimpse of what we are hopefully in for for the next year.