Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, wins the 2013 Billabong Rio Pro over Adiano de Souza (BRA), 26.

BARRA DA TIJUCA/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, has won the Billabong Rio Pro at Barra Da Tijuca.in a hard-fought final battle over national favorite Adriano de Souza (BRA), 26, by a score of 17.80 to 16.34 in clean two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves. Stop No. 3 of 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Billabong Rio Pro utilized the entire event waiting period with a high-performance showdown displayed from the ASP Top 34.

“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.”

The South African powerhouse Jordy Smith’s run to the final was nothing short of amazing and now sits at No. 2 on the ASP WCT Rankings.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” Smith said. “I was really nervous in the first heat against Filipe (Toledo). Luckily I got through that one and when I came up against Mick I waited for better waves. When the swell dropped against Adriano and he took to the sky, I knew I was going to have to do the same, but luckily I got a couple of scores.”

De Souza, 2011 Billabong Rio Pro winner, went on a rampage to advance to his second career Billabong Rio Pro Final, eliminating 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 41, and Gabriel Medina (BRA), 19, but was unable to top Smith’s devastating form in the Final.

“I did my best out there and thanks to the crowd for being behind me 100 percent,” De Souza said. “Congrats to Jordy (Smith). He beat me in the final from start to finish. I’m so happy to be here representing Brazil. Jordy was the best out there today and congrats to him.”

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 19, was incredible on the final day of competition, saying “It’s so hard to get that close to the final and lose, but it was a good event for me,” Medina said. “My ankle injury has finally healed so that’s good progress for my season and congratulations to Adriano on the heat win. Hopefully I can do better in Fiji.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), 31, matched his Billabong Rio Pro result from 2012 with a Semifinals finish, said  “It would have been good to go one better, but the semis is good,” Fanning said. “This whole week was so tricky and it was one where you had your heart in your mouth whole time. I think I went out there and over-thought it. I got way too excited watching Jordy, Filipe, Adriano and Medina and tried airs and embarrassed myself. The waves I had at the start didn’t really allow turns so I thought I’d go for airs and find waves that allowed turns at the end and it didn’t work out. Congrats to Jordy. He’s been surfing great this whole event.”

Kelly Slater (USA), 41, 11-time ASP World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 4, said “I thought there were a lot more waves than there ended up being and didn’t make the adjustment during the heat,” Slater said. “Adriano (de Souza) did and that made all the difference. Quarterfinals is not the worst result – it’s better than I went last year. It was a long wait this window and if I had waited that whole time and lost yesterday, I would have been bummed. I’ll take a 5th and look ahead to Fiji.”

Fanning, current No. 3 on the ASP WCT Rankings following his Semifinals finish, said “We saw upsets go down early and you come to this event and can’t expect anything,” Fanning said. “Last year we watched Gabe (Medina) go down in the first heat, so a Semifinals result here is good and I have three out of three keepers for the season. I’ve had a couple of good weeks.”

Next stop on 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) – Volcom Fiji Pro June 2-14.

Billabong Rio Pro 2013 Highlights

WATCH IT LIVE

UPCOMING BILLABONG RIO PRO FINAL RESULTS: 1 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.80 2 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.34

UPCOMING BILLABONG RIO PRO SEMIFINALS RESULTS: SF 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 17.64 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.50 SF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.83 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 8.26

UPCOMING BILLABONG RIO PRO QUARTERFINALS RESULTS: QF 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.33 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 12.30 QF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.43 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.93 QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.50 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.37 QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.76 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.07

ASP WCT TOP 5 SURFERS (Following Billabong Rio Pro); 1. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 18,500 pts 2. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18,250 pts 3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 18,200 pts 4. Kelly Slater (USA) 16,950 pts 5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 15,700 pts

Taj Burrow (AUS), 34, will face off against wildcard Gustavo Fernandes (BRA) in the opening heat of Round 2 at the Billabong Rio Pro.

BARRA DA TIJUCA/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Billabong Rio Pro is called back ON this morning at Barra da Tijuca with Round 2 commencing at 7:30am in building two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves. The contest is back on after several lay days were called consecutively over the last week which caused the event a waiting period until conditions improved.

“It’s been a bit of a wait, but the surf is returning to Barra da Tijuca and we’ll recommence competition at 7:30am,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge said. “We’ll keep an eye on the conditions, but we plan to run the 12 heats of Round 2 and will see where we go from there. Good luck to all our competitors today.”

Up first this morning will be Taj Burrow (AUS), 34, against wildcard Gustavo Fernandes (BRA) Heat 1 of Round 2.

WATCH IT LIVE

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Gustavo Fernandes (BRA) Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Messias Felix (BRA) Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS) Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS) Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW) Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 9: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA) Heat 10: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS) Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA) Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)

Frilled Shark

Frilled Shark – Photograph by Awashima Marine Park, Getty Images

Humans rarely encounter frilled sharks, which prefer to remain  in the oceans’ depths, up to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) below the  surface. Considered living fossils, frilled sharks bear many physical  characteristics of ancestors who swam the seas in the time of the  dinosaurs. This 5.3-foot (1.6-meter) specimen was found in shallow water in Japan in 2007 and  transferred to a marine park. It died hours after being caught.

Marine Worm

Peanut Worm – Photograph by Darlyne A. Murawski, National Geographic

The peanut worm has a proboscis that resembles an elephant’s trunk, as well as a mouth that boasts an impressive array of tentacles. This bottom burrower feeds on organic materials found in mud and sand, and when done feasting it can turn the proboscis inside out to retract it inside its body. Peanut worms are often tiny but can reach 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) in length.

Sea Star

Sunflower Sea Star – Photograph by Paul Nicklen, National Geographic

A sunflower  sea star is draped moplike over a seafloor rock off the British  Columbia coast. Though commonly called starfish, sea stars are not fish  but echinoderms, more closely related to sea urchins and sand dollars.  Only the five-armed species really resemble stars—others may boast as  many as 40 appendages.

Fish

Striped Surgeonfish – Photograph by Paul Nicklen

The striped surgeonfish is  an attractive Indo-Pacific reef fish that’s best handled with care  because its caudal spine is venomous. Scientists believe that the world’s  seas hold some 1,200 different venomous fish species and estimate that  they injure about 50,000 people per year. But fish venoms can also bring  great benefit—they are useful in the development of new drugs

Squid

Caribbean Reef Squid – Photograph by Brian J. Skerry, National Geographic

More than 280 species of  squid live in the oceans worldwide. Many are masters of transformation,  able to change their skin color and pattern in seconds to stalk prey,  escape enemies, attract mates, stand up to rivals, and communicate with  one another. Here, a Caribbean reef squid defends its claim to  a nearby female by flashing an aggressive zebra pattern, just one of  about three dozen designs in its wardrobe.

Crab

Yeti Crab- Photograph by Ifremer A. Fifis, Census of Marine Life

The yeti crab is so  unusual that a whole new family of animal had to be created to classify  it. Kiwa hirsuta was found on the floor of the  7,540-foot-deep (2,300-meter-deep) Pacific Ocean some 900 miles (1,500  kilometers) south of Easter Island. In many ways the newly discovered  species remains a mystery. Its hairy pincer arms host colonies of bacteria,  which it may cultivate for food, for protection from toxic fluids issuing  from nearby volcanic vents, or as “sensors” that help the blind  animal find a mate.

Octopus

Common Octopus – Photograph by Luis Miguel Cortes, My Shot

The common octopus  is anything but ordinary. This most intelligent of the invertebrates  uses an amazing suite of abilities to avoid predators like sharks, eels,  and dolphins. A master of camouflage, the octopus can change color and  shape to remain unseen, and release a “smoke screen” of black ink  when spotted. Even if an octopus has been nabbed, the game isn’t over—it  can simply shed an arm to escape trouble and regrow the appendage later.

Jellyfish

Mosaic Jellyfish – Photograph by Melissa Fiene, My Shot

A mosaic jellyfish floats serenely in  the waters of the Coral Sea, about 100 nautical miles from Cairns,  Australia. Jellyfish are ubiquitous in the Earth’s oceans. They can  thrive in warm water and cold, along coastlines or out in the deep.  Their bodies are about 95 percent water. And though they have no brains,  jellyfish have somehow been smart enough to survive for over 500  million years.

Special Thanks to National Geographic

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Photo: Graham White, Friends of the Bees. All these bees and invertebrates are killed by systemic neonicotinoid garden pesticides.

Are Neonicotinoids Too Big To Ban?

There has been a huge debate over the impact of Neonicotinoids, which are a class of systemic pesticides with a common mode of action that affects the central nervous system of insects, causing paralysis and death. Neonicotinoids are often applied as seed treatments. This basically means that the seeds are coated before planting occurs. Neonicotinoids also generate billions of dollars for the agro-chemical companies that manufacture these chemicals and are available not only for agricultural applications but also can be found in a myriad of garden products available all over the world.

In a new Avaaz petition, pollinator advocates demand that AMAZON  stops selling Bayer’s Bee-Killing Garden pesticides.

(Photo credit: USDA)

Too Big To Ban?

As the peer-reviewed, independent scientific evidence mounts from reputable scientists around the world that neonicotinoids are the cause of global honeybee decline, the industry still claims that they are not to blame. The industry also argues that without these systemic pesticides, agriculture will suffer, resulting in crop failure.  Similar to the big banking conglomerates and other industries that are “too big to fail”, are neonicotinoids the next to join this lineup ?

During this interview, Walter Haefeker, President of the Professional European Beekeeper’s Association, stated, “I think there is a big parallel, this agricultural disaster, that they are producing, is very similar to the banking crisis. Where we all know what mistakes were made but nothing is being done about it and the argument is, they are too big to fail and their executives are too important to prosecute. So in the case of neonics, the situation is that the industry is claiming our products are ‘too big to ban’.

(Photo credit: USDA)

This is certainly unacceptable to the beekeeping community and should also be unacceptable to anybody caring about pollinators, songbirds and a healthy environment, in general. You have to also keep in mind that their compilation of the all of the negative economic effects of the ban basically assumes that there is no other way to do agriculture but there is plenty of evidence that smart farmers can work without these products.

In Italy, before they instituted their neonicotinoid ban, they commissioned a study and they not only looked into the impacts that they found on the honeybees but also part of the study was to try to grow corn (which was the main crop that was causing problems there) so they tried to grow corn without neonicotinoids and they did a side by side comparison. The loss in yield was basically non-existent. The corn production in Italy, after they did their local ban, actually increased! So, some of this is just scare tactics.

Certainly farmers for certain crops would have to learn a few new tricks or do some crop rotation. We might have a little more diversity in agriculture afterwards but there are plenty of good reasons to do that anyway.

One of the arguments is that these products are essential, for the current farming economy. Farmers have to have these products available. There are certain crops where no other approved insecticide is available therefore they are assuming that if you take these insecticides away, farmers will suffer severe economic losses.”

“Sustainable Intensification”- The New Industry Buzz Word!

County agent and a farmer examine seed corn. The farmer placed the corn seed on his porch to dry in Payette County, Iowa in September 1936. Photo courtesy National Archives and Records Administration.

When I asked Walter Haefeker to explain what the industry’s new buzz word “sustainable intensification” all about, here was his response:

“I first learned about this at an event (Syngenta sponsored event) in Brussels. Right now, they (industry) are trying to convince politicians around the world that the world population is exploding. We are going to have to feed 9 or 10 billion people in a few decades.  The way to do that is to use the available resources, land and water, even more intensively. Since everybody already understands that we’re probably already going too far with this intensification, they have found a new buzz word for what they want to do and this is called ‘sustainable intensification.’

When I first hear it, it reminded me of “clean coal”. It is essentially an oxy-moron. It is also not what a major UN effort a few years ago came up with when they were asked to come up with way to feed the growing world population. There is a world agricultural report that came to very different conclusions than what the industry is pushing right now. “

 Listen To The Interview:

In this special series called “The Neonicotinoid View”, hosts June Stoyer and guest co-host, Tom Theobald will be joined by the President of the Professional Beekeeper’s Association, Walter Haefeker to discuss “The Value of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatment in the European Union”.  Please listen to the interview below. You can also subscribe to our feed directly by clicking here or on iTunes by clicking here.
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Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, winner of the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro and current rankings leader on the ASP Women’s WCT.

BARRA DA TIJUCA/Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, takes the lead on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) after winning the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro. Wright secured the win with high scores throughout dominating the Barra Da Tijuca lineup from start to finish.

“This feels pretty good,” Wright said. “This whole event has been stepping stones for me. I started off a bit shaky and this is my first even where my family is not here with me. Brooke Farris was here looking after me and thanks to everyone for all of their support. After I lost that Round 3 heat I just wanted to catch waves and I stayed busy from then on. It’s just the way it worked out. I just love catching waves. I just kept building and building and I wouldn’t want it any other way. This is just fantastic to come to Rio, I love it.”

“It’s awesome to move to the top of the rankings, but I’m honestly not thinking about the World Title,” Wright said. “I’m just having fun surfing and enjoying each event and we’ll see what happens at the end of the year.”

Sally Fitzgibbons, (AUS) the defending event champion, and Carissa Moore (HAW) both put in amazing effort displaying a strong performance in 2-3 foot waves at BARRA DA TIJUCA but were unable to put a stop to Wright’s impressive momentum into the final rounds of the event. Fitzgibbons’ runner-up finish at the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro moves her to No. 3 on the ASP Women’s WCT while Moore moved to the No. 2 position following Wright’s victory.

“I’m happy to progress though to the Final,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s always exciting to come in to a final against Tyler (Wright) and I knew she’d be tough to beat out there. I love coming to Rio and I always get good results here. Unfortunately I fell at the last hurdle, but I’ll come back bigger and better next year.”

“It was good heat with Sally, but there were just not that many waves,” Moore said. “We paddled all over the beach and sometimes it turns in to strategy and paddle battling and unfortunately I was on the other end of it today. It’s alright though and I’ll take this on to the next event.”

“I have never been thinking that I’m running away with the World Title at all,” Moore said. “I’m just happy to be in the race. I know it’s going to be tough if I want to win the World Title again and other girls want it just as bad.”

Round 2 of Billabong Rio Pro Men’s competition has called a lay day. Organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7:30am to access surf conditions for a possible start of Round 2 tomorrow.

Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro Highlights

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO FINAL RESULTS: 1 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.80 2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.67

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS: SF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.90 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.97 SF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.94 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 13.64

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS: QF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.50 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 8.34 QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.10 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 10.24 QF 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.83 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.74 QF 4: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 12.20 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.33

ASP WOMEN’S WCT TOP 5 (Following Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro): 1. Tyler Wright (AUS) 40,000 points 2. Carissa Moore (HAW) 38,200 3. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 34,200 4. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 32,100 5. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 26,450

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Gustavo Fernandes (BRA) Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Messias Felix (BRA) Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS) Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (BRA) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS) Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW) Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 9: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA) Heat 10: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS) Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA) Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)

Hammerhead in the Depths

When many people hear the words shark and tourism in the same sentence, the first thing they think of is how to avoid these creatures of the deep. The second thing is the ubiquitous image of a small diver in a shark cage, coming face-to-face with a great white in a caricature of what these intimate interactions once were and could be. Unfortunately, the people who give in to these ideas are missing the opportunity to witness and learn about one of nature’s truly astounding creatures. While shark attacks are real and many movies and media outlets capitalize on this fear (see Channel, Discovery), there are common sense ways to avoid danger and have a great experience while contributing to shark conservation efforts.

The Real Predator

According to the conservation group Oceana, an average of four people per year were killed by sharks from 2006-2010, and there were only three fatal attacks in the United States in that time (out of 179 total). Beachgoers are more than three times more likely to drown than to die from a shark attack. Compare that to the more than 25 million sharks killed by humans each year, and it becomes clear who is more dangerous.

Sharks, as top predators in the oceans and seas, are critically important to the health of the saltwater ecosystem. One of the main reasons why many shark species are endangered is the international trade in shark fins, used as a delicacy in shark fin soup, consumed primarily in Asia. According to Shark Advocates International, they are also valued for their meat, hides, teeth and livers. Due to the facts that sharks grow slowly, take a long time to reproduce, and give birth to small numbers of offspring, these fish are especially susceptible to human threats.

Tourism as a Conservation Tool

One strategy to help protect and research sharks that is gaining popularity is ecotourism. A recent study of sharks around Costa Rica’s Cocos Island estimated the value of a hammerhead shark to tourism at US $1.6 million each, compared to just less than $200 it could bring if caught and sold. A 2011 study by the Australian Institute of Marine Science had an even more dramatic difference, estimated a lifetime value of nearly US $2 million for a reef shark in Palau, versus only $108 for sale in a fish market. Governments are starting to take notice of this economic value: Countries including Australia, Palau and the Cook Islands have recently created large, new marine protected areas to protect sharks and other ocean life.

While diving to see sharks has its abstract value, many tour operators and volunteer organizations are taking advantage of shark tourism to directly benefit conservation. SEEtheWILD partner Sea Turtle Restoration Project has a unique trip for divers to the Cocos Island, where people can help tag hammerheads as part of a research program. In Belize, Earthwatch Institute has a volunteer program that allows participants to study shark populations and the value of marine protected areas.

Another way that travelers can support shark research is by participating in the Whale Shark Photo ID Library. Anyone with underwater photos of whale sharks, the gentle giant of the depths and the largest non-mammalian vertebrate on Earth, can upload them to this website for identification and cataloging, helping to build this important resource for conservation efforts. Finally, some shark trips generate donations for conservation efforts, including this whale shark trip to Isla Mujeres (Mexico).

Playing it safe

For those who get sweaty at the mention of sharks, there are many ways to keep yourself safe when in the water with these animals. The easiest way is to swim with the least threatening of sharks, the whale sharks. Though these giant fish can be 40 feet long and weigh 20 tons, they don’t have teeth and are not aggressive to humans. Also, by remaining calm around sharks and keeping your distance, you can minimize the risk of experiencing a negative encounter with these fascinating creatures. If you are diving or snorkeling in areas where sharks live, ask your guide about what to expect and what species to look out for.

SEEtheWILD’s Tips for Shark Conservation Tourism

Check out SEEtheWILD’s shark conservation tours and volunteer programs:

-Mexico Whale Sharks

-Whale sharks & turtles

-Belize shark research

-Undiscovered Belize

-Galapagos Adventure

-Cocos Island Shark & Turtle Research

– Brad Nahill, SEEtheWILD #

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Shark caught in net, Dead or Alive.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, current ASP WCT No. 7, gets progressive during yesterday’s warm-up sessions. Smith will face Kai Otton (AUS), 33, and Adam Melling (AUS), 28, in Round 1 of the Billabong Rio Pro.

BARRA DA TIJUCA/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Event organizers have called lay days for both the Billabong Rio Pro and the Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro, citing poor winds and opting for improved conditions projected in the coming days.

Event Nos. 3 and 5 respectively on the 2013 ASP World Championship and Women’s World Championship Tours, the Billabong Rio Pro and Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro resumes this year’s hunt for the world surfing crowns and the best surfers on the planet will battle it out once competition commences.

“After assessing conditions throughout this morning, we’ve opted to call a lay day for competition today,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We anticipate conditions to improve over the next several days and will return again tomorrow morning to make another call.”

Event: Next call possible 7am start.

WATCH IT LIVE

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Josh Kerr (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA) Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Yadin Nicol (AUS) Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), TBD Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Filipe Toledo (BRA), TBD Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), TBD Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), TBD Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Glenn Hall (IRL) Heat 8: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Damien Hobgood (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW) Heat 9: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Nat Young (USA), Raoni Monteiro (BRA) Heat 10: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Kai Otton (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA) Heat 12: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Kolohe Andino (USA)

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Rebecca Woods (AUS) Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Sage Erickson (USA) Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Silvana Lima (BRA), TBD Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Phillipa Anderson (AUS) Heat 5: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Laura Enever (AUS), Alize Arnaud (FRA) Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW), Alana Blanchard (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 26, current ASP WCT No. 4, hones his skills to aim for another victory at the upcoming Billabong Rio Pro.

BARRA DA TIJUCA/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 26, is currently prepping for the Billabong Rio Pro Brazil following his historic win at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach just last month. Following his superb performance at Bells, De Souza now sits at No. 4 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) and is looking to carry his momentum to the Rio Pro in his hunt of the elite 2013 ASP World Title.

De Souza is back in his hometown of Sao Paulo for a few days to try and catch up with family before heading out on his next trip an here’s some of what he had to say…

“Winning Bells was really emotional, and it’s really inspirational to be back here an see my friends,” De Souza said. “I’m happy to be from here and it makes me value and enjoy everything I have today. If you come from the favela, you give it everything you have. I saw examples from the soccer guys who turned pro and knew I could do it with surfing if I put in the hard work. When I became a pro surfer, it allowed me to bring my family to a better place.”

“For me, going to Indonesia was good preparation before heading back to Brazil,” De Souza said. “It allows you to surf good waves and increase your performance. I’ve been surfing six or seven hours a day. When I was young, I grew up surfing Guaruja Beach and the waves weren’t that great and I always used to imagine what it’d be like to surf here.”

“I know the road to make the final there is going to be massive,” De Souza said. “It’s not easy and you’re going to have to fight for it.”

Event: May 8-19 and will be webcast LIVE.

WATCH IT LIVE

BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Josh Kerr (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA) Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Yadin Nicol (AUS) Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), TBD Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Filipe Toledo (BRA), TBD Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), TBD Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), TBD Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS), Travis Logie (ZAF), Glenn Hall (IRL) Heat 8: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Damien Hobgood (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW) Heat 9: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Nat Young (USA), Raoni Monteiro (BRA) Heat 10: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Kai Otton (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA) Heat 12: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Kolohe Andino (USA)

COLGATE PLAX GIRLS RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Rebecca Woods (AUS) Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Sage Erickson (USA) Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Silvana Lima (BRA), TBD Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Phillip Anderson (AUS) Heat 5: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Laura Enever (AUS), Alize Arnaud (FRA) Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW), Alana Blanchard (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)

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Beautiful coral, sea life in Brazil.

The first SurfPortugal 2013 (# 239) is now on newsstands and photograph this special issue, as might be expected, brings Tiago Pires on the cover! Runs to the stands and grab yours! Photo: Paulo Barcellos – with Tiago Pires.

TIAGO PIRES/Ericeira, Portugal

Tiago Pires, 33, also well- known as “The Portuguese Tiger” and a powerful natural-footer, has sustained serious injury that may cause him to withdraw from the Billabong Rio Pro due to start May 8-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Tiago Pires, Portugal’s first qualifier on the elite ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), prepping to do battle with the ASP’s Top 34 at the upcoming pro competition, pulled a ligament in his left knee while surfing barrels this past Saturday in Portugal’s incredible surf.

Tiago Pires

Tiago said “The last few days at home have been absolutely crazy, with good surf pretty much everywhere. From Ericeira to Peniche and a bit of Carcavelos (where the prime is going to be after the WCT in Peniche) in the mix!”

“I’ve pulled a ligament in my left knee while surfing this past Saturday. Usually they predict four-to-six weeks with these type of injuries but I’m working hard everyday to recover for Rio. I’m doing two sessions of physiotherapy a day hoping that I can be close to 100% before the event.”

Pires kicked off the season with a slow start in 2013 while at the opening 2 events he posted 25th on the Gold Coast and 13th at Bells Beach. He is in his sixth year as an elite member on the ASP Top 34 world’s best professional surf team.

This is one to keep an eye on as the Portuguese Tiger heals up whether he makes the Billabong Rio Pro or not. I have no doubt he’ll be back stronger and better than ever ripping back onto the surfing scene 2013.

The good news is the year is young and there’s still time.

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Portugal Marine Life, Cape Verde

Celebrate Earth Day 2013 today in a billion ways all around the world. Photo: Treehugger

EARTH DAY 2013

SURFSPOTS-GPS is celebrating Earth Day today and every day as we salute many of our friends, individuals, and numerous organization’s for their milestone contributions and strides made through their year-round dedication to  help improve world conservation efforts during SurfSpots-GPS Ocean Month 2013 campaign.

What We Can Do To Help

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