What The ‘Cane Saw: 2013 Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico

posted by / Photos / February 20, 2013

The freesurfing scene around the 2013 Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico was an ornament of synchronized chaos. With 144 eager surfers in the event and less than stellar conditions in the Atlantic, the mob was met with the task of decoding a great blue-water puzzle. And so an entire fleet of rental cars ripped donuts throughout the Northwest corner of the island while trying to find a wave that was good enough. Kia minivans bottomed out on bumpy dirt roads and Nissan sedans were marooned on soft sand paths. Still, the wind remained as strong as the local rum punch and the swell couldn’t seem to hit anywhere just right. Like a deviant brotherhood, everybody communicated with one another in an attempt to pinpoint the best spot, but this was only gasoline to the already raging fire of confusion. There were lead-ons and dupes, unannounced arrivals and no-shows, empty promises and flat out lies. But in the end, everyone found fun waves. The Kia minivans recovered with their undercarriages unscathed, and the Nissan sedans were towed back to the firm safety of concrete roadways. And when the sun had set, everyone was tan. – Brendan Buckley

All photos: Jimmicane

Prev|Next
Hank Gaskell liens with the guidance of his host Dylan Graves.

Hank Gaskell liens with the guidance of his host Dylan Graves.

Cory Lopez nips and tucks.

Cory Lopez nips and tucks.

Rock beats Tom Cloarec's scissor.

Rock beats Tom Cloarec's scissor.

Brian Toth and Dylan Graves enjoying the best lunch spot in town, El Sion.

Brian Toth and Dylan Graves enjoying the best lunch spot in town, El Sion.

Michael Dunphy, the hawk from Virginia Beach.

Michael Dunphy, the hawk from Virginia Beach.

Whispering Pines, the Graves' home golf course. Five holes of chip shot heaven.

Whispering Pines, the Graves' home golf course. Five holes of chip shot heaven.

Dylan Graves.

Dylan Graves.

Bam-Bam needs no Flynnstone flip.

Bam-Bam needs no Flynnstone flip.

A fleet of rental cars might hurt your street cred but Thug Mansion is still plenty gangster. Brian Toth and dog Irie hold down home base.

A fleet of rental cars might hurt your street cred but Thug Mansion is still plenty gangster. Brian Toth and dog Irie hold down home base.

Benny B, almost simple math.

Benny B, almost simple math.

Balaram Stack.

Balaram Stack.

Ian Crane and Jeremy Carter, ears still ringing from the raging street party all night outside their hotel.

Ian Crane and Jeremy Carter, ears still ringing from the raging street party all night outside their hotel.

Hurry up and wax Kekoa!

Hurry up and wax Kekoa!

Kekoa Bacalso out of the contest and into the tube. Not the worst trade off ever.

Kekoa Bacalso out of the contest and into the tube. Not the worst trade off ever.

Out of focus but seeing clear. Alejandro Moreda.

Out of focus but seeing clear. Alejandro Moreda.

The Pelican Whisperer. As seen on surfingmagazine Instagram.

The Pelican Whisperer. As seen on surfingmagazine Instagram.

Benny B and Evan Geiselman, in bright awe of his pelican mind control.

Benny B and Evan Geiselman, in bright awe of his pelican mind control.

Jake Halstead throws a tailful of dimes into the wishing well.

Jake Halstead throws a tailful of dimes into the wishing well.

Last year, Gaby Escudero nearly died surfing this spot. This was his first session back.

Last year, Gaby Escudero nearly died surfing this spot. This was his first session back.

Nico Moreda, along with Dylan Graves, helped save Gaby's life last year. Here, Nico pulls in knowing that Puerto Ricans never forget to return favors.

Nico Moreda, along with Dylan Graves, helped save Gaby's life last year. Here, Nico pulls in with the confidence of knowing that Puerto Ricans never forget to return favors.

12 year old Stevie Pittman keeps his room nice and tidy.

12 year old Stevie Pittman keeps his room nice and tidy.

Dylan Graves, tail high in the golden dawn.

Dylan Graves, tail high in the golden dawn.

When dropping pins goes wrong. This parking lot was packed to capacity with Rip Curl Pro lay-dayers within 30 minutes of this.

When dropping pins goes wrong. This parking lot was packed to capacity with Rip Curl Pro lay-dayers within 30 minutes of this.

PR is not known for having good lefts, but there are plenty of ramps into the tradewinds. Brian Toth, Boricua power slob.

PR is not known for having good lefts, but there are plenty of ramps into the tradewinds. Brian Toth, Boricua power slob.

La Jolla residents are no stranger to slabs. Skip McCullough.

La Jolla residents are no stranger to slabs. Skip McCullough.

Josie Graves' dad was the first to ever surf this spot. He's surely smiling down on his sons with pride.

Josie Graves' dad was the first to ever surf this spot. He's surely smiling down on his sons with pride.

Cory Lopez putting his ankle brace to the test.

Cory Lopez putting his ankle brace to the test.

Glass shatters at CrashBoat.

Glass shatters at CrashBoat.

Droid shaped this board with his own two palms.

Droid shaped this board with his own two palms.

Michael Dunphy, the caw of the hawk.

Michael Dunphy, the caw of the hawk.

Aron Gieger floats over the urchin bed.

Aron Gieger floats over the urchin bed.

Deep fried indulgence after a surf. Balaram Stack, Chase Wilson and Kekoa Bacalso at "The Lights".

Deep fried indulgence after a surf. Balaram Stack, Chase Wilson and Kekoa Bacalso at "The Lights".

Alejandro Moreda. Gold chain, green barrel.

Alejandro Moreda. Gold chain, green barrel.


 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

10 Responses to “What The ‘Cane Saw: 2013 Rip Curl Pro Puerto Rico”

  1. jeez says:
    February 20, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    Brendan Buckley is a terrible writer….

  2. Corey says:
    February 20, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    Such great photos Jimmy! loved the introduction as well Buck

  3. Rocky says:
    February 20, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    It is true that on a well lineup swell PR produces near Hawaiian quality waves. But the reality is that the place is a danger zone categorized as Narco-State, not only does it force us to remain on the NW/W side we are greeted by agro boogie boarders who own the peak. I will call it quits here but will like to leave with a positive note; you guys down there can learn plenty from the Brazilians!

  4. Teal Ergang says:
    February 20, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    Post of the year

  5. yep says:
    February 21, 2013 at 2:01 am

    @jeez if you thought that was bad, read his piece on eric diaz.

  6. DeekDrager says:
    February 21, 2013 at 7:58 am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZwXEAIZjME

    if u dont like it, dont come…

    more for us.

    Yiiiuuuuuuu

  7. jerry says:
    February 21, 2013 at 9:14 am

    that photo of benny at the bar is next level

  8. duh says:
    February 22, 2013 at 10:22 am

    wow buckley is unable to juggle words let alone write a article with a clear thesis. surfing magazine is being run into the ground by retards. jump ship

  9. bdaddy says:
    February 22, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Tight work Jimbro!

  10. Lusk says:
    February 23, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    I’m with Jerry. The Benny shots are firing.

Leave a Reply