DICK BREWER is to modern surfboard design, what Kelly Slater is to modern day surfing. A contemporary shaping genius who was himself an impressive surfer, Brewer has set the pace in surfboard design for five decades. His designs have affected every generation since the '50s; his boards have been ridden by the sport's best, including Eddie Aikau, Buzzy Trent, Jeff Hakman, Gerry Lopez and Reno Abellira, to Garrett McNamara and Bruce Irons today. The son of an aircraft machinist, his exceptional handcrafting skills and understanding of outlines, contours and edges continues to translate surfboard "blanks" into highly functional - and collectible - pieces of art.

Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, has defeated Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 22, in a high-scoring final of 17.80 to 15.67 to win the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro in peaky two-to-three foot waves, simultaneously taking the frontrunner position on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT).

Wright dominated the Barra Da Tijuca lineup from start to finish, posting the high scores of each round with incredible progressive combinations on the punchy righthanders. The Australian’s efforts against Fitzgibbons in the Final were no different, as Wright unloaded committed forehand combinations and was rewarded a 9.33 and 8.50 to secure the win.

Mitch Coleborn has been on the forefront of progressive surfing for a decade now, starring in nearly every major benchmark surf film of the modern generation. Never one to hold back, his go-for-broke approach has resulted in two knee surgeries, but even going under the knife isn’t slowing him down.

ASP World Championship Tour Event

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
8 - 18 May 2013

Dramatic Action for Opening Round of Billabong Rio Pro at Barra Da Tijuca

Round 1 of the Billabong Rio Pro was completed today in three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca with the world’s best surfers navigating the at-times challenging barrels on offer and thrilling the crowd on the beach.

Stop No. 3 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Billabong Rio Pro continues this year’s campaign for the world surfing crown and the perennial threats were in form on the opening day of competition.

Dave fron Hawaiian South Shore with Kaipo and Kaz bring you news from Hawaii's surf scene. New episode coming in two weeks. Subscribe so you won't miss any of our episodes!

THURSDAY, MAY 9: DAVE PARMENTER,  has unquestionably lived one of the most interesting lives in the sport: A talented pro surfer in the ’80s; a respected and published surf writer (included in 1993′s Best American Sports Writing collection); a sought-after surfboard shaper; and pioneering stand-up paddleboard designer. Parmenter was also married to Hawaii’s “Queen of Surfing”, Rell Sunn, up until she lost her fight with breast cancer in 1998. Never swayed by conventional trends or thought, Dave’s eternal creativity, curious nature, sharp observations and intuition remain untempered. Tonight’s Talk Story door donation will go to the Rell Sunn Educational Fund.

Kimi Werner: The Most Bad Ass Chick In The World

Kimi grew up in tropical surroundings on Maui, where her father was a dedicated freediver. With a craving for the simple life, Kimi followed in her dad’s footsteps, winning a U.S. National Spearfishing Championship in 2008. She’s also an artist and accomplished chef. “The moment I took up freediving and spearfishing again,” she says, “I reconnected to the happiness of my childhood.”

Coco Ho is a princess -- if by princess you mean Hawaiian royalty, that is. She loves to dance, loves surfing in bikinis, but isn't precious. She also loves getting barreled and busting lips. She weathers quandaries of mortal consequence with notable strength. She has more Instagram followers than Taj Burrow. Her handle, XOCocoHo, is code for "hugs and kisses," which is what she'll shower you with if you're her friend. If you're her foe ... different story. She doesn't have many of those, though.

Hawaiian surfer Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA) has walked away with one of the sport's most-prized accolades, the 40 year old winning the Ride of the Year award at the annual Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards ceremony, held at The Grove theatre in Anaheim, California last night.
 
Dorian received USD$50,000 for the monumental wave he successfully paddled into and surfed at Jaws, Maui, last October. Dorian's wave also included a gigantic tube ride, which earned him an additional $5,000 and the award for Pacifico Tube. 

It's not a competition of who's on the weirdest mission. It's just a celebration of your mental calibration. Wavelengths flutter like a bird that's stuck in butter. Felling gray matter with a stack of cruddy clutter.
Strange Brains