Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
Barrels return to the Billabong Pro Tahiti
Monday, 27 August 2012 08:46

Ricardo dos Santos: the Slater eliminator

The waves and barrels are back to Teahupoo by the ring of the bell. The Billabong Pro Tahiti recommenced in rapidly-improving three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves.

Kelly Slater was eliminated by Ricardo dos Santos, two-time Von Zipper Trials winner and wildcard into the main event, caused the upset of the day. Needing a major score with 10 seconds remaining in the heat, Dos Santos threaded a lengthy forehand barrel to attain a 9.87 out of a possible 10 and the emotional win.

"That wave came to me at the very end and I was just hoping for a chance to show what I can do," Dos Santos said. "That wave was so good and it just allowed me to pull in early and keep running through it. That was my last chance – it was either make it or go home".

"I knew I had to get the best waves and get as deep as I can. I knew Kelly (Slater) was going to post high scores so I just had to do my best. I'm really happy right now, but there's a long way to go so I need to focus."

While Slater bowed out of the Billabong Pro Tahiti uncharacteristically early in Round 3, the iconic Floridian remained ever-gracious in defeat and will return to competition at the upcoming event in California

"I honestly don't know a whole lot about Ricardo (dos Santos)," Slater said. "I know that he won the Trials last year in huge surf and won the Trials this year in small surf so he's obviously very competent out here in any kind of conditions".

"I'm disappointed to lose early, but more so because tomorrow could be really good. I think that tomorrow could be really classic conditions at Teahupo'o and hopefully I'm able to get waves somewhere."

Mick Fanning survived a tight heat against lethal goofy-footer Fredrick Patacchia, but was able to confidently best Taj Burrow and Julian Wilson, in this afternoon's Round 4 heat.

C.J. Hobgood is one of the most respected Teahupo'o surfers on the planet and the Floridian goofy-footer proved why today with solid wins in Rounds 3 and 4 to advance directly to the Quarterfinals.

Parkinson has advanced directly to the Quarterfinals of the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Gabriel Medina proved that he is one of the most comprehensive young surfers on the planet in collecting the event's second Perfect 10 in the final heat of the day, an incredible forehand drop into a bowling barrel at Teahupo'o.


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

The best surf watches in the world
Wave Height Forecast
Wind Speed and Direction Forecast
Wave Period
Surf Videos
Surf Books
Surf Movies
Online Surfing Games

SURFING

Riding a 15-foot Teahupoo wave with Shane Dorian
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Shane Dorian has captured all the glory of a 15-foot Teahupoo wave with his surf camera mount.
We've seen Shane Dorian tasting the power of Nazaré and speaking about the wave of his life. The big wave surfer born on the July 19, 1972, in Hawaii, has published an impressive picture, directly from the Tahitian pit. The mid-May swell that hit "The End of the Road" brought huge, perfect tube rides to the French Polynesian island. Dorian was there to ride the wild beast.


Jordy Smith wins the Billabong Rio Pro 2013
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

Jordy Smith has conquered the Billabong Pro Rio 2013, in clean two-to-four foot (1 meter) waves, at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca, in front of thousands of surf fans.
The best ocean conditions of the entire Billabong Pro Rio 2013 came in the finals' day, with Jordy Smith beating Adriano de Souza in the last heat of the last day of the event waiting period. Win it or break it. Adriano de Souza and Jordy Smith were up and riding with different trumps under their belts. The Brazilian w [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

Pudla Narapichit hailed Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champion
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Pudla Narapichit and Doque Delos Santos have been crowned the Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champions.
With 120 riders from 30 countries, the final and decisive Chinese stage once again broke all records, at Pingtan Island, also known as Haitan Island. The spot is regarded as China's windiest location - regular wind speeds of over 30 knots are recorded over the winter monsoon season and all of the island's old traditional style stone houses need to have rocks placed on top of their tiled roo [ ... ]


Kitesurfing in India kicks off with the Red Bull Quila Surf
20/05/2013
article thumbnail

The first kitesurfing competition will hit India, between 23rd-25th May, at Mandwa. The Red Bull Quila Surf will showcase 70 Indian kitesurfers in the water.
The costal district of Raigad is ready for action. The Red Bull Quila Surf is the first ever kitesurfing competition in the country and anxiety grows. Ines Correia, the 2011 Kite Surf Pro (KSP) World Tour champion from Portugal, has been invited to judge the riders based on speed, maneuverability and attitude.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Lachlan Cramsie takes the Arica Chilean Challenge Trials 2013
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Lachlan Cramsie has stolen the 2013 GoPro IBA Arica Chilean Challenge Trials, in solid and glassy 4-6 foot barreling waves at El Gringo, Chile.
The Australian rider defeated Ruben "Babby" Quiñones, George Humphreys and Roberto Bruno in the final and decisive heat. Nevertheless, all the best seven trialists secured a spot in the main event, where they will compete against the top 24 Grand Slam Series bodyboarders and event wildcards Alan Espinoza, Jake Stone and Diego Cabrera.


Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


+ Bodyboarding News