Blog

“Legalize living, man”

Grab your Southport Tee at HERE or at your local surf shop.

After his performance in Brazil, and in the X Games Real Surf competition (which he won), it’s hard not to think that 2013 might be one of Jordy’s best years on tour. If not his best.

The 2013 Tahoe SUP & Paddleboard Race Series

kicks off this Saturday with the Memorial weekend Donner Lake SUP and Paddleboard Race. The 5 mile race will start and finish at the West-End Beach of Donner Lake. Jay Wild took the Donner event last year, and will return to defend his title. New for the 2013 series is a $20k overall prize purse for the final series results. The race start time for the Donner event is scheduled for 9:00AM. There is still openings for Race Day Registration ($50.00 entry fee).

Colt Ward spends most of his south swell days at Lowers. Photo: Gonzales

Go to SURFER MAG for more photos.

Team O’Neill put together a strong performance at this past weekends NSSA Western Regional Championships, winning the Explorer Boys and Explorer Super Grom divisions.

Explorer Boys Division

Kei Kobayashi blitzed through the early rounds finding his rhythm in the highly contestable peaks of Huntington Beach, eventually taking the Explorer Boys title.

Explorer Super Groms Division

Sebastian Mendes, used his forehand surfing to capitalize on the running HB lefts to claim the Explorer Super Grom crown.

Open Juniors Division, Open Mens, Open Boys

Other notable results included Colt Ward placing second in the Open Juniors division, Jake Kelley taking the second spot in Open Men’s, and Noah Hill placing forth in the Open Boys divsion.

The “Westerns” is a culmination of the West Coasts most talented amateur surfers, which has paved the way for multiple World Tour competitors throughout the years. Qualification through this event leads to the NSSA National Championships taking place from June 26 until July 3.

Photo: ASP/SMORIGO

Big Congratulations are in order for O’Neill’s Jordy Smith (SAF) who just won the WCT Rio Pro Brazil in an action packed final versus Adriano De Souza (BRA).

It was a tough road through the contest besting Kai Otton and Adam Melling in Round 1, and Kai again in Round 3. He overcame a loss to 18 year old Felipe Toledo (BRA) in Round 4 to return and defeat Toledo in the Quarterfinals. Smith advanced to the Semis where he dispatched tour veteran Mick Fanning (AUS) in a duel for the best waves of the heat in the midst of a lackluster swell.

Watch the final heat between Jordy and Adriano!

Jordy met Adriano in the finals amid a dropping tide and smaller waves at Barra Da Tijuca. Adriano took to the air and Smith followed, matching De Souza wave for wave, and air for air.

“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.”

With this win, Jordy jumps to #2 on the ASP World Tour behind #1 De Souza.

It’s safe to say no California surfer looks forward to spring, but Shaun Burns has had some luck finding waves at home on the Central Coast.

This is one hell of a swell. Normally in the South Pacific a swell will peak at a certain time and slowly fade away as the energy heads toward Mainland Mexico, Hawaii, and the West Coast of the States. But not this bad boy. North Shore charger Eli Olson on a thick one. Photo: Bielmann

More photos on TransworldSURF

Venice Beach goofyfoot Noah Hill won the Squids division at the 2013 Volcom VQS “GET IN THE HOLE!” Cup Championships.

One precise maneuver away from the score, Putters (Squids) division winner Noah Hill.

Jordy Smith won a lot of heats at the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach. Surely, if you watch the webcast, you saw headphone cups bolted onto his ears whenever he wasn’t in the water. Stab has the man’s heat-winning playlist. LISTEN HERE.