surfworldtour.blogspot.com/surfworldtour.com by Paulo Piqueres

 surfworldtour.blogspot.com/surfworldtour.com by Paulo Piqueres

Since 2010 I  wrote few things about myself on my blog, but now the time arrived...
Once I listened that everything has his own time,  either before or after..
I was born in a hometown where there is no sea,and it is farway from, but the guys always loved surf...
I am not different, some friends of mine are surfers, since kids used to go to the beach on weekends and holidays and so on...Unfortunatelly I did not have this pleasure, my father just loved soccer...
Since a teenager I used to watch surf films on TV as "Bikini Beach" in California, Hawaii, and many others...

The life didn't stop, I always studied a lot, took my degree in Business Administration at Unisinos -São Leopoldo(RS) and received a schoolarship from RS state government to study in San Francisco, California, United States of America.
I studied Marketing at San Francisco State University. At free time I used to go to a beach called Cliff House, where there was surf, and I also like to visit surfshops .But the surftown was Santa Cruz.

The life went way, I  worked in big companies, banks, and so on, but I did not like so much  pressure, competition, and so on.

In 1995 I started my teacher career in a state school, with English and Statistics classes.

In 1999 I took my Pos-Graduation in Advanced English at Pontificie Universidade Católica in Porto Alegre(RS), because I always loved this language, since the surf films,  sports, and so on.

At final 2005, my father dead what let me so upset and lost, so in 2006 I decided to quit the English classes and left away to Garopaba, Santa Catarina(where in 2003 had a WCT at Praia do Silveira ), so I faced surf there again...

In 2008, I decided to move to Garopaba, at first I was living at Camping close to the shore, but later on I discovered  a small apartament at at "Pousada" so nice,from "gauchos"(people from my state RS) close to Mormaii store, and the road to Silveira Beach, where was the WCT 2003.
Does not matter, where I would be (Rio de Janeiro now, Costa Rica, Hawaii in future) Garopaba (SC), always will have a special, so special place at my  heart...

In 2008 March,(foto) was my first surf competition "Seletiva Petrobras de Surf Masculino" in Praia do Rosa, Santa Catarina.

There I used a Nokia cel with 480x640 resolution, I knew my idol Mr. Sebastian Rojas, that said to me: Does not matter your equipment if you like it than go ahead...I never forgot his words...
He is one of the best surfing photographers in the world .

At Easter time my mother got sick -depressive- so I went back to my hometown...
In 2008 October I returned to Praia da Vila -Imbituba SC,to my first WCT.

In February of 2009, I was back to Garopaba, Santa Catarina, and I was "beach marshal",the guy in charge to deliver the jerseys to surfers, what was a great pleasure for me, it was kids competition at Vento Sul surfing school, where I had my first surfing lessons.

In 2009 I went to my second WCT at Praia da Vila in Imbituba (SC). That moment I had a small surf blog surf at Yahoo -called - geocities.com/mauienglish/sports, what was desactivated...

So in beginning of 2010 I created this name surfworldtour and entered to the web : surfworldtour.blogspot.com, a Google blog, what let me so happy..

 In 2010 May, I went to Praia da Vila, for the last time.

In 2011 the WCT moved  to Rio de Janeiro, and I came together to my 4th WCT, in Arpoador and Barra da Tijuca, Posto 4.

In 2012 I returned to Rio da Janeiro to my 5th WCT at Barra da Tijuca - Postinho and Arpoador beach.

Again in 2013 I came back again to Rio de Janeiro, to my 6th WCT in Barra da Tijuca, Postinho.

Last year 2014 I returned to Rio de Janeiro to my 7th WCT in Barra da Tijuca, Postinho, which was so fast.

On my blog I do everything:

I am developer, edictor, amateur photographer and film-maker, html programmer to web.

But I like to do my own things,so I  learn more  besides I have everything under my control, I just need a inspiration, now I guess a found "the nicest I have ever had in my life."

In this year 2015, probably in March, after the first stop in Gold Coast, Australia ,my upcoming site
surfworldtour.com will be in the web finally.

I already had this domain since 2013,and I have worked in the site for at least  a year,  but this year it will be in the web, for shure...

Finally, now I am living in Rio de Janeiro, the town my deceased father  always said:
"Rio de Janeiro is the most beautiful city in the world."

 

 

GABRIEL MEDINA - BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION -FLUIR EDIÇÃO HISTORICA

GABRIEL MEDINA -BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION - FLUIR EDIÇÃO HISTORICA - SURF MAGAZINE IN BRAZIL -JANUARY 2015

PHOTOS BY FLUIR -

GABRIEL MEDINA - BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION -2014 OVERVIEW

GABRIEL MEDINA -BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION -2014 OVERVIEW

BILLABONG RIO PRO 2014- Barra da Tijuca- Postinho - Rio de Janeiro  - Brazil

Each year is different!!!
Fortunatelly I could film Gabriel Medina(BRA) at second heat of Round 1 against Raoni Monteiro(BRA) and Adrian Buchan(AUS).
Results:
May, 7th    2014

Round 1
Heat 2-
G. Medina(BRA)14.53 x R. Monteiro(BRA) 10.17 x A. Buchan(AUS)7.87

At this heat Gabriel Medina(BRA)used yellow jersey because he was the first in ASP WCT Ranking.
Fortunatelly I was able to take a nice photo of Gabriel Medina(BRA) right after the heat when he was leaving the water
And I also could film the heat for awhile with my Nokia 500.

May, 9th  2014
Lay Day-
At "lay days" of competitions I used to go to Barra da Tijuca, to take some photos, watch surf free sessions and so on..
So this day at beginning of afternoon I was going to Quebra-Mar to take some photos exactly when Gabriel Medina(BRA) and his friends were leaving his apartment in front of the event structure.
I did not disturb Gabriel anyway in his rest time, I just shake his hand and said:
Vamos ganhar!!! -Let's win, will you???
And he answered: "Beleza" - Nice!!!
At this moment I was using my luck cap of 2009 WCT Hang Loose and my Rip Curl back pack.
Maybe he tought I was referring about the World Championship not to the 4th stop in Rio.(post in May   )
I had my cell with me but I did not ask for a photo or anything else. He was calm, nice and simpatic
with me and with everybody else, he has the champion features...
So I went to Quebra-Mar  so happy because I had the opportunity to shake Gabriel's hand and I desired all luck and good vibes of the world for him...

May 11th,  2014
At Round 3
Heat 1
Travis Logie(SAF) 15.50 x 15.00 Gabriel Medina(BRA)

Gabriel Medina(BRA)generally was at beginning of the rounds, but this time I could take some photos but unfortunatelly he loose to Travis Logie(SAF)a good surfer too.

After Billabong Rio Pro 2014
Gabriel Medina(BRA) won in Fiji Pro and Billabong Pro Tahiti.
I thought to myself Gabriel may be the WCT surf champion this year...
Charles, his stepfather said: Gabriel will be the champion this year, and he WAS.
He took the Brazilian's flag to the top in the surfing world...
Even the great champions: kelly Slater, Mick Fanning recognized Gabriel Medina as the Great Surfing Champion of 2014.
For my blog and all surfing community in Brazil, it was so wonderfull Gabriel became the first Surfing World Champion.
Gabriel Medina(BRA) was the first now but may come others of  Brazilian storm generation.

I could not anyway forget Alejo Muniz(BRA)athlete from Santa Catarina that always was so nice with me who defeated Kelly Slater(USA) in Round  3; and Mick Fanning(AUS) in Round 5 both rivals of Gabriel Medina(BRA) in Pipeline Hawaii, USA.
My special congratulations to Alejo Muniz(BRA) who soon will be back to surf elite, for sure.



I really love my job, and I hope "My god" give me health to continue working with surf -"the most beautiful sport in the world"

GABRIEL MEDINA(BRA) BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION -2013 OVERVIEW

GABRIEL MEDINA(BRA) BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION -2013 OVERVIEW

BILLABONG RIO PRO 2013 - Arpoador and Barra da Tijuca -Postinho -Rio de Janeiro -Brazil

I was in downtown so I used to arrived in Barra - Postinho - around 7:30 am and unfortunatelly Gabriel Medina(BRA) loose his heat  but I could take some photos of him on the shore.
That was the first time I knew personally Gabriel Medina(BRA).
He is tall(1.80m), strong, and so nice with everybody and has many fans in Brazil and overseas too.

GABRIEL MEDINA - BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION - 2012 OVERVIEW

GABRIEL MEDINA -BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION -2012 OVERVIEW

BILLABONG RIO PRO 2012 - Arpoador and Barra da Tijuca -Postinho - Rio de Janeiro-Brazil

May 09th,  2012 - Lay Day

I did not know Gabriel Medina yet!!!
I caught a bus to Recreio dos Bandeirantes, and walked away to Prainha(700 meters of beautiful and cult beach)
 Somebody else told me Gabriel Medina will be there for a free surfing session.
There I knew two girls from Maresias, São Sebastião(SP), the town of Gabriel Medina. He already had won two WCTs(see the blog).
I stayed on the shore talking with the Maresias' girls awaiting for Gabriel Medina(BRA)leave the water, when the girls said to me: Gabriel used to surf for a long time.
I became upset because in fact I would like to know Gabriel personally but there was no bus from Prainha to Recreio and could be longer time and get dark so I decided to give up for awhile  and wait next opportunity in 2012 WCT in Brazil to finally Know Medina.

GABRIEL MEDINA -BRAZIL'S FIRST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION -2011 OVERVIEW

GABRIEL MEDINA (BRA)

BILLABONG RIO PRO 2011 -Arpoador , Barra da Tijuca -Posto 4 -Rio de Janeiro -Brazil   

Gabriel Medina(BRA) entered to surfing elite in 2011, it was my first  WCT -World Championship Tour by ASP -Association of Surfing Professionals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil..
The event had three structures, at Arpoador, Barra da Tijuca -Posto 4, and Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

I came from Porto Alegre - RS by Azul Airlines and Knew nothing about the huge town, and that moment it was raining a lot in Rio de Janeiro.
So I stayed just the first week competition, see trials and women's competition.
I also took some photos of the event in Arpoador and Barra da Tijuca -Posto 4 -

I also had lucky to took photos of Adriano de Souza(BRA)who won this event in Arpoador over Taj Burrow(AUS).
I also took pictures of Bede Durbidge(won my first WCT in Imbituba), and of Owen Wright (AUS).
I asked them in English(except the Brazilian) that I was from the Southern Brazil(1500 km from Rio)
just to have a photo to my surf blog.

And all top surfers always were so kind and attended me so well...
 Some of them I already knew of Praia da Vila - Imbituba -Santa Catarina , Brazil.
 Kelly Slater(USA), who won the 2009 WCT Hang Loose in Imbituba Santa Catarina, exactly on birthday day, July 3rd; Taj Burrow(AUS), CJ Hobgood(USA)2001 WCT World  Champion:Mick Fanning(AUS),  Michel Bourez(PYF), Joel Parkinson(AUS), Jeremy Flores(FRA), Jordy Smith(SAF), Matt Wilkinson(AUS),Adrian Buchan(AUS), Kieren Perrow(AUS), Tiago Pires(POR), Travis Logie(SAF), Fredrick Patacchia(HAW),Patrick Gudaskas(USA).and so on.

My friends in Southern Brazil asked me if I Knew the new Brazilian surfing idol, the young surfer Gabriel Medina, than I said next year for sure I will  know him.

Gabriel Medina(BRA) did not compete at Billabong Rio Pro 2011, he just entered to the surf elite
 at 7th stop - Hurley Pro 2011 - Trestles, CA, USA, September 18/24th,2011.

At this year 2011, Gabriel Medina(BRA) won two Championships:

8th stop -Quiksilver Pro 2011 - Hossegor - France;

10th stop -Rip Curl Pro Search 2011 - San Francisco, CA, USA.

A TRIBUTE TO RICARDO DOS SANTOS

A TRIBUTE TO RICARDO DOS SANTOS(BRA)

I entered in the surfing world community in 2008 in Rosa Beach, Imbituba (SC) in a "Seletiva Petrobras de Surf Masculino" when the speaker of the event looked at me and said -"Welcome to surfing community!!!".
It was my first contact with surf competitions, surfers, and surfboards, and so on...
I had a Nokia 6225i with 640x480 resolution and was taking some photos and filming (25 seconds!!!), when I saw a tall man and I said:
You really have a  nice camera with canon  and everything...I had no idea who was that photographer..
He said to me:" If you like this, go ahead, take your time..."
 That  nice tall man was Mr. Sebastian Rojas, one of the best surfing photografers in the world.
I will never forget his words.
Messias Felix, a great surfer from Ceará, won this event.
I have no much resources by the way, but I really love my job, with images, colors, nature, and so on...

So in 2008 October I went to my first WCT -World Championship Tour- on the Praia da Vila, Imbituba, SC by Hang Loose. Bede Durbidge(AUS)nice and strong surfer won this competition over Jeremy Flores(FRA).

I from the southern Brazil, Porto Alegre(RS), so in 2009 I returned to Garopaba, Santa Catarina. I used to stay in an small apartment close to Mormaii store where I always was so welcome by everybody.
Kelly Slater(USA), the great surfing champion (11x) defeated Adriano de Souza(BRA)at tought final in Praia da Vila, exactly in my birthday, July 3rd...This day I bought the event cap, that I still use in all surfing events.

In 2010 I returned again to Garopaba, Santa Catarina, by bus and stayed at same place.. I used to catch the first bus in the morning to Imbituba...
This WCT was Billabong Pro Santa Catarina and unfortunatelly I missed to meet the great surfing champion Andy Irons that died this year...
Jadson Andre(BRA)defeated Kelly Slater(USA) at a great final at Vila...My first photo at this event was exactly of Jadson Andre(BRA)and I was at Billabong front page with some guys on the beach with Jadson Andre what let me so happy.

In 2011 the WCT came to Rio - Barra da Tijuca - Posto 4 and Arpoador.
Adriano de Souza(BRA)won this event with the final at Arpoador, over Taj Burrow(AUS)one of the best surfers in the world, always in the top.
My first photo was of Adriano de Souza, that always attended me very well.

In 2012 I came again to Rio de Janeiro and John John Florence(HAW) won this event over Joel Parkinson(AUS), John John Florence(HAW)with a fan was my first photo in Barra da Tijuca, Postinho.

In 2013, year that I took two pictures of  RICARDINHO DOS SANTOS, when he was entering the water at heat 3 of Round 1. Let's remind about!

2013 BILLABONG RIO PRO

May 8th 2013
Waiting Period     Event is     Waves        Weather     Wind
Day 1 of 12          Lay Day      3-5 feet     Sunny       Strong Onshore

May 9th 2013
Waiting Period     Event is     Waves        Weather     Wind
Day 2 of 12          On              3-4 feet      Open Skies  Light

Trials:
Ricardo dos Santos(BRA)   13.33
Simão Romão (BRA)         10.24
Jeronimo Vargas(BRA)       7.80
William Cardoso(BRA)       6.90

ROUND 1
heat
3.Sebastian Zietz(HAW)15.66  x  Ricardo dos Santos(BRA) 8.93  x Taj Burrow(AUS) 8.67

May 17th 2013
Waiting Period    Event is     Waves       Weather    Wind
Day 10 of 12       on               3-5 feet      stormy      strong

ROUND 2
heat
4.Jeremy Flores(FRA) 11.50  x  7.47 Ricardo dos Santos(BRA)

The 2013 WCT, Jordy Smith defeated Adriando de Souza(BRA) at Postinho da Barra da Tijuca.

Last year I came again to Rio de Janeiro in May to my seventh WCT, and was the fastest I have had.
The 2014 WCT, Michel Bourez(PYF) defeated Kolone Andino(USA)who surfed very well too.

At the end of 2014 Gabriel Medina(BRA) was the Brazil's first surfing world champion, what was a great moment for surfing community in Brazil, at this moment, when the competition was in the 11th stop in Pipeline Hawaii, I decided to move to Rio de Janeiro, to be closer of surfing, beaches, and the upcoming WCT in May, and I hope to go to Hawaii, this year...

But unfortunatelly, this 2015 beginning on January 20th was a sad, so sad day for all surfing community in the world...
RICARDO DOS SANTOS(BRA)24, was shot dead in front of his house in Guarda do Embaú,SC(close to Pinheira, Garopaba)by an off-duty police officer.
I will not comment about this violence that unfortunatelly happens in our country, but my heart  and eyes can't hide what I feeling about...
I'll try to make this simple tribute to RICARDINHO dos Santos, who I had a great, great pleasure to take some fotos of him in 2013, that I will keep for sure in deep of my soul...

I do everything at my blog and upcoming site by myself, but I do with love and this kind of things COULD NOT HAPPEN anyway..
I hope to continue to do my job, buy a new camera, stay here in Rio de Janeiro...
This is a simple video, but was my best...