Captions by Jimmicane

Alex Gray pulls in to the last of many barrel sections on this wave.

Bottle Thompson working with his filmer/photographer. It costs each lensman $800 to shoot here now so you better get your money's worth.

Kyle Kennelly pulling into a closeout because he must. For his filmer, who had to pay to shoot him. And for Dane Reynolds, who took a break from his ukulele to watch this wave.

Dane Reynolds ditches the Ukelele and sets up for another tube.

This is the sleepy town we stayed in.

Dusty Payne riding one of Andrew Doheny's boards because the airlines lost his.

Ben Bourgeois setting up for the inevitable tube time on the inside.

Only Shane Dorian would go down to the playful Mexican points and find a Backdoor-esque slab to pull into.

Dane and Mick sampling some local cuisine.

Dane sampling a Mick Fanning hack in the pocket.

A short film depicting Rasta’s approach to alternative equipment and alternative waves on the North Shore

Rasta sets the mood on his Uke and it’s beautiful — like his surfing and long-flowing hair

Video by Ryan Gamma

Nicaragua’s a short escape from Blake’s hometown in Florida

Now watch him go

In an effort to promote reading, Source Interlink, Wenner Media and youth surf-star, Jake Marshall have joined forces to promote the “Read to Lead” movement. Together, the team has developed a public service campaign aimed at raising awareness for youth literacy – teaching young adults that reading is a window into other worlds. As Jake Marshall says, “Let’s face it, if we’re going to be running this world some day, it might help to better understand it.” Watch the official Read to Lead video below and visit www.ReadToLeadToday.org to learn more.

The 4th Dimension. Beauty is an Afterthought

The year is 2025 and the salt of the desert fills the air

A week spent in San Clemente during the Nike Lowers Pro looked just like this

It’s these highlights that confirm John John is going to take over the world

All photos by Tom Carey

Balaram Stack was launching all over the place en route to a quarterfinal finish.

Some serious WWF style wrestling was going down the entire event. Looks like this unlucky guy is about to get slammed.

Tai Van Dyke wearing spandex for extra maneuverability in the ring.

It’s hard to say what is going on in this photo, but it looks serious.

The action was hot and heavy in the ring, especially after collisions like this.

Chippa Wilson has one of the best air games on earth. But it wasn’t enough to beat local boy Daniel Shea in the Airshow final.

Brazil's Santiago Muniz put on a solid performance in the event. He launched some of the events best airs but was sent home with a Semifinal finish.

At times the ring would get flooded with tag-team style action. There was never a dull moment at Volcomania.

New York’s Quincy Davis slashing just a point shy of the win in the Diva (Girls) Division.

Alex Smith from Kauai put everything he had into 54th streets 2-3 foot beachbreak. And it paid off with a $5,000 check and a win in the Pro-Am Heavyweight division.

Results:

Heavyweight (Pro-Am):
1. Alex Smith 12.84
2. Oliver Kurtz 11.73
3. Chase Wilson 11.54
4. Cory Arrambide 10.3

Light Heavyweight (Juniors):
1. Yago Dora (BRA) 18.17
2. Taylor Clark 14.90
3. Jordan Lawler (AUS) 13.54
4. Natxo Gonzalez (PR) 10.53

Cruiserweight (Groms):
1. Griffin Colapinto 14.40
2. Shun Murakami (JPN) 11.10
3. Kanoa Igarashi 9.93
4. Aldric God (FRA) 8.67

Divas (Girls):
1. Demi Boelsterli 12.70
2. Quincy Davis 11.60
3. Amy Nicholl 7.84
4. Leila Hurst 6.13

Featherweight (Squids):
1. Cole Houshmand 12.94
2. Noah Hill 9.60
3. Micha Cantor 8.20
4. Dylan Franzmann 4.53

Boosterweight (Air):
1. Daniel Shea 7.67
2. Mitch Coleborn 6.10
3. Chippa Wilson 5.60
4. Yage Araujo 4.50
5. Santiago Muniz 4.17
6. Torrey Meister 0.00

BB: Congrats on getting the cover of Surfing Swimsuit Issue!!What does that feel like? What does that mean as a swimwear designer?

NC: Thank you. I’m so thrilled. It is such an honor to not only be on the cover but along side so many of the surfing industry’s greatest. I couldn’t be happier and the photo is gorgeous. Tristin Akahoshi along with her team did an AMAZING job on the Swimsuit Issue and I am very thankful. The recognition has been unbelievable and most of all it is such a great accomplishment for me personally along with Team TRS.

BB: When did you first launch Tyler Rose and what inspired this? AND Why swimwear?

NC: I graduated college and wasn’t passionate about my career path. Rather than doing what everyone else said I should do or be great at, I decided to take a leap of faith and do what I loved, which was fashion. I started Tyler Rose Swimwear in 2001 and did it on the side for the first couple of years. There were so many brilliant influences along the way but the initial inspiration was a picture of my mother circa 1970 in a lavender bikini on a houseboat; I loved everything about it.

Ultimately, I ended up choosing swimwear because while on the hunt to find the perfect bikini, I was greatly disappointed. 11 years ago no one was selling separates and as we all know, not everyone is one size fits all. Since day one I made it my mission to create a brand by designing a unique line that concentrated on the perfect fit, sold as separates and the ability to be mix n’ matched, while incorporating my personal style, inspirations and all things I love. Tyler Rose Swimwear is all about building a bikini wardrobe and creating your own style. I have worked hard to build my brand and I’m just getting started.

You can buy swimwear and tell someone about it, or you can wear Tyler Rose Swimwear and not have to say a word.

BB: What inspires your designs and you as a designer?

NC: It starts with my passion for Music and The Glamour Era of Hollywood and Old Palm Springs. Anything vintage and everything 50’s, 60’s & 70’s when taking a holiday meant something.

Currently listening to…Calvin Harris Radio on Pandora

Currently reading…RUSSH Magazine and Bikinibird.com!

Never leave home without… Lemon water, iPhone, Chanel gloss and my keys!

Beach bag staples are…TRS topper, Obagi SPF, my sunnies, Australian Vogue and a few TRS bikinis just in case…you never know who may need a bikini upgrade

Currently coveting…. Surfing Magazine Swimsuit Issue 2012 & my 2013 Spring Collection.

Runway to take home…Can I take a few? Rachel Zoe Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear, Sass & Bide Spring 2012 Runway, Stella McCartney Spring 2012

If I could see one (art, music) show it would be…Led Zeppelin Madison Square Garden 1973

You won’t watch me in the sun without…My TRS bikini

Beach or pool… Poolside

Favorite destination…Anywhere poolside over looking the ocean with a warm, balmy, tropical breeze and no internet connection

A place or culture that inspires me… The hippie movement of the 60’s, Palm Springs, South of France

Next stop… Straight to the top, the opportunities are endless. Get ready; the best is yet to come.

Words to live by…Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated.

Life is way too short so don’t let anyone ever tell you can’t do something or be someone. Just Do It.

“There is no such a thing as spending too much money on a bikini,” my mother once told me. “Frankly, it’s most important to look your best when you are wearing the least” -Gigi Mortimer

“Fashions fade — style is eternal.” -Yves Saint Laurent

IN GOOD COMPANY

“DON’T FIGHT THE FUN, BRO.” This was the maxim of Stephen “Sly Dog” Chew and Eric “Frog” Nelson, the subjects of my favorite article I’ve read in a surf mag (penned by Chris Mauro for Surfer in 2000). Sly and Frog were not professional surfers, just best friends from Laguna Beach who spent their lives working just enough to hit the road again. They drove boats in Tavarua. Chased girls across continents. Bought one-way tickets and climbed pyramids. At 16 years old the article had such an impact on me that I vowed to follow the same path when I finished school. Save, save, save — leave. Dance around the globe, submitting fully to the fun and returning with an anemic bank account, sun-bleached hair and enough stories to fill a book.

I don’t know if our managing editor, Beau Flemister, read the same article, but he certainly replicated the lifestyle. Much better than I ever did. Valet parking, writing and substitute teaching to fund his next flight, he traveled to Pakistan and the Solomon Islands and about 50 other countries while also taking up residence in Brazil, India and Chile. Beau was a full transient until about six months ago, when I cast my line across the Pacific to Hawaii, hooked him, and dragged his ass over to California. He didn’t fight it, probably because I promised that from now on the magazine would be funding his travels. First stop: Samoa with a group of surfers that our staff photographer, Tom Carey, claimed was the best crew he’s ever tripped with. Mitch Coleborn. Mason Ho. Alex Smith. Ford Archbold. Ozzie Wright. Were the waves firing? Nah. But they were in good company. Drawing on boards and spinning airs and “soaking up the culture.” Laughing. Beau returned with a yellow notepad filled with scribbles that he transformed into the character sketches you’ll find on page 76. He also penned the profile of Mason Ho, the world’s happiest surfer, on page 90.

Surfing breeds characters. Maybe it’s something in the water. And while some say that things have gotten too stuffy in surfing lately — too much sport, not enough lifestyle — we think this issue will make even the grumpiest naysayer ring his buddy (the loud one, the one who paddles out without looking) to go for a shred. Because in this magazine we’ve gathered some of the biggest characters in our world. Great surfers. Great people. People who you’d want to be stuck on a tropical island with (like, I don’t know, say, Samoa). People who say “yes” to everything. People whose personalities bleed into their surfing. They ride waves with flair. They ride waves in funny clothes. They embrace the lifestyle they’re fortunate to live, that we’re fortunate to live, and fight no one and nothing along the way. They certainly don’t fight the fun. —Taylor Paul

Inside this Issue

Video by Rory Pringle

Video also featuring Kaimana Henry, Tommy Dosland, Barron Mamiya and Cheeseburger.

Haleiwa does it’s thang and Rockies does its best G Land impression

And a claim from Cheeseburger for the books @2:30

Filmed by Shane Fletcher

Matt Banting describes the sessions as:

“Here’s 3 sessions from our last trip up to the Gold Coast, scored some fun little tunnels and some lined up points.”

Three sessions with Australia Open winner, Matt Banting.

When the Gold Coast looks this good, would you really need to go anywhere else?

Video by Jacob Vanderwork

Jeremy’s got that forehand tail-whip down — that’s for sure

Hair-whips and tail-whips

Video by Peahi Surf Media

There’s a revolution going on on Maui

And Wangdu Hovey documents all the action

Kekoa Bacalso. Photo: Jimmicane

Video by Phillip Mansfield

The East Coast during spring is consistently fun. Normally doesn’t get big swells, but lots of head high plus days along the whole coast. If you want to get barreled, you go to Jersey. The south swells sweep up the sandbars and dump. In between every groin there’s a tube to be had.

Mike Gleason, Sam Hammer, Tommy Ihnkin, Clay Pollioni, Bryan Zinski and Blake Jones get shacked in Jersey.

Performing May 11th at 9m.

Slap ‘em a 5er at the door

Courtney Conlogue. Photo: Jimmy Wilson

Elliot Leboe, undefeated champion of Innersection filmmakers.

“Talent in front of the lens,” says Elliot Leboe, the soft-drawn man from Maui who has never lost an Innersection (okay, there’s only been two). “It sure makes it easier to edit with.”

The island of Maui certainly isn’t running short on surf talent. From longtime underdogs like Hank Gaskell and Kai Barger to potential next-big-things like Tanner Hendrickson, Dege O’Connell and Ian Gentile…the list goes on and on around here. Something in the water, we suspect, and blowing on the wind.

Still, Innersection is based on undiscovered talent, so for Leboe to dominate both years with undeniably worthy sections, it’s obvious he knows what he’s doing. With the online freesurfing challenge just a few weeks away, we figured we ought to ask:

Photos and captions by Corey Wilson

Gabriel Medina was surfing amazing throughout the entire Lowers comp. It was cool to see the variety of airs he was pulling out there.

It was fun hanging out with Gabriel while he was in town. The kid loves having a good time.

Matt Wilkinson ramping out on a stormy day in Newport Beach.

Balaram Stack getting loose somewhere in So Cal.

Koa Smith giving some inspirational words while doing some inspirational airs.

I don't know if turning your back on an animal that big is the best idea. Here is South Africa’s Brandon Jackson giving his best Tiger impression.

Dylan Goodale was doing some crazy airs this day. Here he is pushing the boundaries on a left wedge.

Dane Gudauskas regulating the lineup while the circus is in town.

Even though Matt Wilko was not able to surf in the comp, he still managed to get some fun waves before heading over to Brazil.

Davey Cathels looking healthy after his recent ankle injury.

Cinco De Mayo party at the Playboy Mansion.

Gabriel Medina producing the goods on a freesurf day.

Random outtakes from my week during the Nike Lowers Pro.

Alpinestars and Maui-born charger, Nakoa Decoite, have joined forces and want to share their stoke with you. Also, they want to share their boardies. They have three pairs of HD2 boardshorts they want to give away to coincide with the warming of the Northern Hemisphere. Yes, summer is just around the corner. And like the SURFING rule book states, “There’s no shame in admitting you love summer.”
 

1. To win, give us your best acrostic name poem describing your summer activities. Winners will be chosen 12pm on May 11.
 

Simply form a word or phrase using the first letter of each letter in Nakoa’s name and leave below in the comments field. And make sure to leave your real email so we can get in touch if you win. Good luck!

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