2015 OI RIO PRO -Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL by surfworldtour.blogspot.com
I am living in Rio de Janeiro since December 2014, exactly when Billabong Pipe Masters in Hawaii was been ON, and Gabriel Medina was the first "surf world champion", but not straight away, because I have my office and my base structure at my house where there is a Surf Bar at first floor just for "well friends" not open to the public.
My base is in a small city close to Porto Alegre, RS.
After Fall posts on my blog and "Easter times" I came back to RS, to make some arrangements to 2015 OI RIO PRO. Each year is different, after Gabriel Medina became "surf world champion" this sport received an upgrade I mean is growing away, with more and more fans around the country, so I also want to improve my blog and upcoming site.
In 2012 a nice friend from Rio de Janeiro that know all generation of Rico, Bocão, Daniel Friedman, Pêpe, gave me the idea to make some "surfing wax" of my blog. Since 2013 I am working in this project, I bought the materials, search on the Internet some formulas to prepare the wax to give to the top surfers. Finally this year my homemade waxes were ready. They still need be much better but is just a souvenir from my blog. Fortunatelly I could prepare some "surfing waxes" to give the top surfers and friends.
I also prepared the blog and site banners to place on the event on the beach. I do everything for myself, set my Surf Bar, waxes, banners, posts on the blog, pictures, videos, blog and site designs and so on. When was everything ready I came back to Rio de Janeiro. I arrive here on Thursday, May 7th to be rested to to work in the biggest championship in Brazil I have been .
On Saturday morning, May 9th, I went to Barra da Tijuca, Posto 6, to take some pictures of alternative structure and after on from main platform at Postinho. I took pictures of the banners on Saturday because was calmer and there were not many people around. The event was upcoming...
Monday, May 11th, 2015
Early in the morning I was arriving at Postinho to cover my 8th world championship as follows:
2008-The First - Praia da Vila -Imbituba -SC
2009-The Gift - Praia da Vila -Imbituba -SC
2010-The Passion- Praia da Vila -Imbituba -SC
2011-The Transition -Arpoador/Barra da Tijuca -Posto 4 - Rio de Janeiro -RJ
2012-The Best -Arpoador/Barra da Tijuca -Postinho -Rio de Janeiro -RJ
2013-The Site -Barra da Tijuca-Postinho - Rio de Janeiro -RJ
2014-The Fast and The Furious- Barra da Tijuca - Postinho -Rio de Janeiro -RJ
2015 -The biggest -The Biggest - Barra da Tijuca -Postinho -Rio de Janeiro-RJ
Unfortunately the waves were small, almost flat, so was "lay day", so I took some pictures of athletes
around. I gave my "blog wax" to Lake Peterson(USA), John John Florence(HAW), Ricardo Chirstie(NZL), Adrian Buchan(AUS) and Matt Wilkinson(AUS) . They liked and said "thanks".
Ricardo Christie(NZL) said -"Obrigado", with an accent but he tried to be nice. He is calm, strong and nice guy.
I already knew Mr. Flávio Padaratz from Praia da Vila -Imbituba, SC, but this time I talk with him and asked for a picture. And I said "You were "champion" in the World Championship Tour here at Barra da Tijuca in 1991 .It was an Alternativa event. He smiled and said: Good championship for you!!! He was so nice!!
Tuesday, May 12th, 2015
As the waves were small on Monday, so I thought the event might be "off" on Tuesday.
Then I went to prepare my blog and siteT-shirts with my new design to use in the event. I used to go at same place in downtown since 2012. So I listened at Radio Cidade 102.90 FM, that event was ON, so I caught the bus 309 I went to Barra , I arrived there at heat 7 of Round 1 of Men's . But that is no problem because all athletes will enter on the water again . The winners will be directly to Round 3, and the loosers to Round 2-the recap.
I lost half of Men's Round 1, but I could see Women's Round 1 at all.
And the T-shirts were ready.
Wednesday, May 13th, 2015
I got no problems and arrived so early in the morning but unfortunately this day was off for Men's and Women's competition. The waves had no condictions for surfing, so the organizing committe decides for "lay day".
So I stayed at sponsors village and took some pictures and received some gifts. Most of sponsors used social networks I mean you should post pictures at Instagram, Facebook, or anything else.
At OI place the main sponsor, the visitors took four pictures inside a Kombi with surfboards upon -this vehicle was widely used in 70's by surfers - and than the visitors receive the pictures and a gift.
OI also had something new and strategic mainly for me. A mobile battery charger, the visitor just needed to put his credit card on the reader of the machine and leave the cell charging...For my work was so important, because in previous years my mobile battery discharged. I would like to thank OI and all his team at the event for the support and nice treatment with everybody. OI also gave a t-shirt on the beach to surf fans.
All sponsors team were so nice: Samsung, Jeep, Coppertone, Guaraná Antarctica, Air Portugal, GoPro, and so on.
Samsung had a kind of surfing simulator with our great champion Gabriel Medina. That simulator was anything very special giving you the real sensation of surfing... I love that simulator. I learned surf so late in 2008 in Garopaba, SC, but I have the basic notions. After participated in the simulator the visitor received a sunglasses. I appreciate this simulator and would like to congratulate the SAMSUNG team that created that equipment.
I also knew the guys from Braziliam Storm, they are so nice and gave me a t-shirt, a cap, and a fan hand. They are from Praia Grande , SP, the cap I used all event away. And many surf fans asked me where they could take Brazilian Storm cap!!!
Thursday, May 14th, 2015
I arrived early on the beach but the competition started just at 10 am in Round 2 of Men's -the recap.
During this day the waves were bigger and was cloudy day.
At late afternoon the Round 2 was ready. Unfortunately the Brazilian surfers Alex Ribeiro(BRA) - champion 2015 WQS event in Saquarema-RJ, David do Carmo(BRA) - 2014 Surf Brazilian Champion, Alejo Muniz(BRA)-that was replacing Michel Bourez(PYF), and Miguel Pupo(BRA) -WSL top surfer - lost their heats, and were out of the competition. Miguel Pupo throw a jersey over the fans and I took it.
I guess a lucky guy anyway.
So the Men's Round 3 was defined, there was no Women's competition this day.
I alwas meet Mr. Sebastian Rojas, one of the best "surf photographers in the world", who I knew in Praia do Rosa in March, 2008, during Seletiva Petrobras de Surf Masculino.
Friday, May 15th, 2015
This day was the longest day of the event, Round 3, 4 and 5 added up 20 heats of Men's competition were disputed.
At the last heat the beautiful "sunset" was arriving at Barra da Tijuca and was getting cold too but I stayed on the beach straight away doing my work with affection as always.
For me it is not a work, it is a "pleasure".
Kai Otton(AUS)after was defeated by Josh Kerr(AUS)gave his surfboard to a teenager, called Vinicius, I thought so nice.
Vinicius is a surfer and became "famous" on the beach.
Round 3
Filipe Toledo(BRA) defeated Wiggolly Dantas(BRA).
Italo Ferreira(BRA) defeated Nat Young(USA)
Jadson Andre(BRA) defeated Sebastian Zietz(HAW).
Kelly Slater(USA) was defeated by Matt Banting(AUS)at heat 3.
Unfortunately Adriano de Souza(BRA)actual WSL-World Surf League leader was defeated at heat 6 by Ricardo Christie(NZL) with his power surf.
Our great surf world champion Gabriel Medina was defeated by Keanu Asing(HAW) a hawaiian surfer that is new in the tour, and also defeated Joel Parkinson(AUS)another World Champion.
This year many surfers entered the elite, and all are very good surfers.
Matt Banting(AUS), Wiggolly Dantas(BRA), Italo Ferreira(BRA), Keanu Asing(HAW) and Ricardo Christie(NZL).
Even the champions sometimes lose, at any sport away. I guess the most important is "to win" more often than "to lose". The championship has still more 7 stops.
During the event a had the pleasure to know Mr. Charles stepfather and coach of our great champion Gabriel Medina.He was so nice with everybody.
Round 4
heat
1.F. Toledo(BRA) x M. Banting(AUS) x J. J. Florence(HAW)
2.J. Andre(BRA) x I. Ferreira (BRA) x R. Christie(NZL)
3.J. Kerr(AUS) x B. Durbidge(AUS) x M. Fanning(AUS)
4.M. Wilkinson(AUS) x O. Wright(AUS) x K. Asing(HAW)
Round 4
Filipe Toledo(BRA) and Jadson Andre(BRA) won their heats -three men, and went direct to Quarterfinals.
Josh Kerr(AUS) and Matt Wilkinson(AUS)both Australian surfers also won their heats.
Round 5
Ricardo Chirstie(NZL)defeated Matt Banting(AUS).
Italo Ferreira(BRA)defeated John John Florence, champion 2012 Billabong Rio Pro.
Bede Durbidge(AUS)defeated Keanu Asing(HAW).
Owen Wright(AUS) defeated Mick Fanning(AUS), three times World Champion.
This year many World Champions were defeated soon in OI RIO PRO: CJ Hobgoog(USA)2001; Joel Parkinson(AUS),2012; Kelly Slater(USA)1992, 1994 to 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011; Gabriel Medina(BRA)2014; Mick Fanning(AUS)2007, 2009, 2013. Maybe the waves condictions were not favorable to them.
So the Quarterfinals were defined.
heat
1.F. Toledo(BRA) x R. Christie(NZL)
2.J. Andre (BRA) x I. Ferreira(BRA)
3.J. Kerr(AUS) x B. Durbidge(AUS)
4.M.Wilkinson(AUS) x O. Wright(AUS)
Saturday, May 16th, 2015
The event turned to Women's competition and Round 2 and 3 were disputed. Later on the event turned to Men's quarter-finals.
At first heat, Filipe Toledo(BRA) with his aerials and progressive surf defeated Ricardo Chirstie(NZL)who was surfing very well the heavy waves of Postinho.
At 2nd heat there was a dispute between two "potiguar" surfers, athletes from Rio Grande do Norte.
Italo Ferreira(BRA) defeated Jadson Andre(BRA) by a small difference. Jadson Andre(BRA) was champion in 2010 Billabong Pro at Praia da Vila -Imbituba, SC, over Kelly Slater(USA)9 times World Champion, at that moment, now he is 11 times.
The heats 3 and 4 were disputed between Australian athletes.
Bede Durbidge(AUS), with his edge maneuvers defeated Josh Kerr(AUS) 4th position in WSL Ranking.
Afterthan Matt Wilkinson(AUS)Champion in 2012 WQS event in Saquarema, RJ, defeated his compatriot Owen Wright(AUS), that was surfing very well and is in the 6th position in WSL Ranking.
So the Semifinals were defined.
heat
1.F. Toledo(BRA) x I. Ferreira(BRA)
2.B. Durbidge(AUS) x M. Wilkinson(AUS)
What means a Brazilian surfer will be in the 2015 OI RIO PRO Final against an Australian one.
Afterthan the competition turned to Round 4 of Women's competition , so the Quarterfinals
were defined to Sunday, the last day of competition at Barra da Tijuca.
Quarterfinals
heat
1.L. Peterson(USA) x B. Buitendag(SAF)
2.C. Moore(HAW) x K. Andrew(AUS)
3.T. Wright(AUS) x C. Ho(HAW)
4.M.Manuel(HAW) x C. Conlogue(USA)
On Friday at 6 pm there will be a show of Blitz Band at stage on the beach and afterthan the event party at Ilha da Coroa, in Barrinha. Unfortunately, I could not stay for both because I was tired and I should sleep early to be back on Sunday morning. I never went at event parties, because I stay far away from the event and I must keep focused.
Maybe in 2016 I might go!!!
I also gave my "blog wax" to K. Andrew(AUS)and she was so nice and let me take a picture of her with the "wax". She was replacing Stephanie Gilmore(AUS)the current World Champion. K. Andrew(AUS) surfed very well OI RIO Pro and reached to quarterfinals when was defeated by Carissa Moore(HAW)two times World Champion.
Sunday, May 17th, 2015
On Sunday morning the event start with Women's Quarterfinals.
When Courtney Conlogue(USA) was arriving on the beach with her two surfboards I called her:
Courtney, Courtney !!!
She turned around.
And I said: I have a souvenir from my blog for you!!!
She said : Thank you!!!
And I gave the "blog wax" to her mother -I suppose - a nice lady that always come with her to Brazil.
So I became happy because my simple "wax" might give luck for her anyway.
She has never been champion in Brazil, but she has many fans here.
Bianca Buitendag(SAF), Carissa Moore(HAW), Tyler Wright(AUS), and Courtney Conlogue(USA)were in Semifinals.
B. Buitendag(SAF) defeated Carissa Moore(HAW).
C. Conlogue(USA)defeated T. Wright(AUS).
So the Women's final was defined B. Buitendag(SAF) against C. Conlogue(USA)both surfing very well this year.
Afterthan the competition turned to Men's semifinals.
F. Toledo(BRA) with his aerials defeated I.Ferreira(BRA)with a large difference.
At Australian dispute, B. Durbidge(AUS) defeated M. Wilkinson(AUS), who lost his jersey on the water, anything unusual, but happened anyway.
So the finals were defined.
The surfers Alex Ribeiro(BRA), Wiggolly Dantas(BRA) and David do Carmo(BRA) gave an autograph session at OI place, and I gave them my "blog waxes", they were nice with everybody.
Afterthan was a one minute's silence tribute to Ricardo dos Santos who was murdered this year in Guarda do Embaú, SC- See the blog post "A Tribute to Ricardo dos Santos(BRA)of January 26th, 2015, with pictures and a video.
At Women's final C. Conlogue(USA) repeated his good performance in Margaret River, Australia and defeated B. Buitendag(SAF).
At Men's final F. Toledo(BRA) gave a surfing show to Brazilian fans -by the newspaper "O Globo"-May 18th, from Rio de Janeiro there were around 20,000 people in Postinho -Barra da Tijuca with 19.87 almost the full mark, over B. Durbidge(AUS) that already was champion in Brazil, in 2008 in Praia da Vila, Imbituba SC, at my first WCT - World Championship Tour.
Adriano de Souza(BRA)is still the WSL ranking leader, and Filipe Toledo(BRA) is in the second position with small difference. Maybe will Brazil have another surf world champion this year???
Maybe our "great champion" Gabriel Medina will dispute the title again, it is early to preview anything about.
By the way, from four stops of 2015 SAMSUNG Galaxy Championship Tour, three had Brazilian champions as follows:
Stop Event Country Champion
1st QuikSilver Pro Gold Coast Australia Filipe Toledo(BRA)
2nd Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Australia Mick Fanning(AUS)*
3rd Drug Aware Margaret River Australia Adriano de Souza(BRA)
4th OI Rio Pro Brazil Filipe Toledo(BRA)
*In the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Australia, Mick Fanning(AUS)defeated Adriano de Souza(BRA)
because he surfed the best wave as follows:
Mick Fanning(AUS) wave 1- 8.17 + wave 2 - 7.10 = 15.27
Adriano de Souza(BRA) wave 1- 7.50 + wave 2 - 7.77 = 15.27
Finally I would like to thank all the sponsors, the surfers, everybody that work in the event, water patrol, surf rescue, security, Brazilian Storm fans, by provided the biggest surf event I had ever been and for the top treatment.
I guess Brazil is not just a soccer country anymore, now is surfing country too.
I guess now with WSL -World Surf League- the surf is becoming more professional with all available high-technology in the events what attract more surf fans in Brazil and all over the world . Now also the fans may buy t-shirts from top surfers, what get the fans close to the surf - " the most beautiful sport".
I also filmed the event and I will edict it as soon I can, I had already edited three videos 2012, 2013, 2014, Billabong Rio Pro what I will offer on my site, that is upcoming soon on the web.
Finally, I created my own surf shorts, hawaiian floral style, that I used in the event. I bought the materials and took to somebody to sew for me. I will improve them, the waxes too.
I do the things as I can, but I am always trying to improve them anyway.
My next project will be surfboards covers...
In 2015 December if everything will be OK, I will buy a better camera and will go to Pipeline, Hawaii to cover the last stop of the tour. And I hope there will be a Brazilian surfer disputing the be "2015 WSL champion".
I studied Marketing at San Francisco State University, in San Francisco, California, and already live in Chicago, Illinois, and visited 15 countries, in South America, USA, Mexico and Europe, but I still have never been in Hawaii, "the surfing paradise".
It is a dream for me, but sometimes they "come true".
surfworldtour.blogspot.com - All rights reserved - Paulo Piqueres
