There are a handful of surprises on this year's ASP World Tour; that Parko is actually in a somewhat commanding lead seemed unlikely, even though we predicted a breakout year for him. That Slater would be waffling can hardly be considered a surprise, nor can the fact that he's taking his designs to new extremes. And though we expected good things from Adriano De Souza this year, it's safe to say at this point he's surpassing our expectations. The 22-year-old Brazilian star is currently ranked 2nd in the world, yet for some reason his name fails to be mentioned as a title threat...but it sure as hell should be.


Considering what he's already accomplished in his young career, it's high time we recognize this guy. De Souza was the youngest ever World Junior Champion back in 2005. That very same year he went out and utterly destroyed the WQS, winning that series by the widest margin ever. And while De Souza's first couple of years out on tour were hardly earth shattering (he finished 20th in 2006, and 28th in 2007) he proved that he belonged in the big leagues. Then in 2008, De Souza finally found his groove and made his leap up the ladder after semifinal finishes in Fiji and at Trestles. He finished 7th last year. Hello? Anyone paying attention?


Though his style is still being refined, Adriano's surfing is fast, aggressive, and powerful. He's a scrappy fellow who doesn't rattle easy, if at all. And he seems to be adapting well to most of the waves on tour. But Jeffreys will either validate his season, or burst his current bubble. If he manages to put up another good number in South Africa he'll be impossible to ignore. But Jeffreys Bay is one place where everything has to be working right. It's by far THE most challenging race track on tour. If a board's not working, or a style isn't in sync, it's like driving with the emergency brake on, for all to see. Keep your eyes on how this guy handles adversity

Reigning world champion Kelly Slater made the most of his surprise visit to Brazil today, by ripping his way into the Final, where he defeated Adriano De Souza. "I thought I was surfing against Pele or something," Kelly said on the winners podium, acknowledging the huge local crowd who was pulling for Adriano. "I felt like the crowd was with me right up until the final heat. But you guys have always been very good to me and I want to thank you." On the way to the final, Slater defeated Tom Whitaker, Taj Burrow, and CJ Hobgood, looking very impressive the entire time.

While Kelly did gain ground on Joel Parkinson, the current tour leader, Parko didn't give up much ground as he still managed to finish with a solid 3rd Place finish. Nevertheless, should Slater return to form things could get a bit more interesting this year. Slater traveled to Brazil with nine surfboards in his bags, keeping his options open. In the first round, however, he had to work with borrowed equipment as his boards failed to show up in the baggage claim. When they finally arrived, Slater was busy trying everything, from a four fin, to a 5' 9" epoxy thruster copied off of the board he dominated the Australian leg on last year. And in the final day, it looked like he was on the same board he won Lower's on last year.

"I definitely feel like I sharpen as the event moves into the later rounds,' Slater said. ' I started out pretty slow in Brazil, and I wasn't even planning on coming initially. I rode borrowed boards, ones that I shaped, epoxies, everything and I definitely think I found my formula today. I actually called my girlfriend before the Final and said, "every time I show up to an event after trying to pull out, I win." I guess that held true today. I have less pressure on myself and am free to perform to the best of my abilities." Slater's win ended the worst slump of his career, and even though he has a huge mountain to climb if he's to capture his 10th world title, he's happy playing the long odds.

"I feel like I have all those guys (ASP World Title contenders) right where I want them," Slater said. "I don't feel like I have any pressure on me, and I tend to do my best when I have no pressure. We're coming up on Jeffreys Bay, which is probably my best event historically and hopefully I can build off my result here today."

For De Souza, the Final was a dream come true. "When I was a little kid I used to come to the event and dream of competing here," De Souza said. "To be here today, in front of all my friends and family, competing against my hero in the Final, is a very special moment for me and one I will remember for the rest of my life."


Results of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro
1. Kelly Slater
2. Adriano De Souza
3. Joel Parkinson, CJ Hobgood
5. Bede Durbidge, Taj Burrow, Dustin Barca, Mick Fanning

Joel Parkinson has won his second Quicksilver Pro presented by LG, and this time it was all the more sweet because it was at one of his all-time favorite waves, Kirra. The spot has been dormant for the better part of a decade due to a sand replenishment project that filled in the bay, essentially ruining the wave.

Now, because of some recent sand movement and a cyclone out-to-sea, the wave has begun to wake up. Since the Quiksilver Pro is a mobile event it has the option to run anywhere on Australia's famed Superbank, which consists of spots like: Snapper Rocks, D'bah, Coolangatta and of course, Kirra.

The first two rounds were held at D'bah, a beach break type wave, offering lefts and rights, and sections that allow progressive above-the-lip surfing. This catered to younger guys like: Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith and Julian Wilson. All three, especially Wilson (he's not even on the tour, he was wildcard into the event), are relatively new to WCT contests, and all three shined.

Then it was on to Snapper for Round 3, and this is where Wilson really made his impression felt. The 20-year-old took out 9X ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater, who had been riding an experimental rounded-nose 5'4" with pulled-in tail all contest. The talk seemed to be whether or not he was underscored for not riding the norm. Although, he did ride a similar board at the Pipe Masters and won.


Julian Wilson on his way to defeating Slater. Photo: ASP

As the cyclone moved closer, the chances of finally having another ASP event at Kirra were starting to look good. Round 4 almost went down at the spot, but it just wasn't right, so Coolangatta Beach would be the contest site. This break is in the middle, between Kirra and Snapper Rocks. There were serious barrels being offered up by Mother Nature, and the boys were taking full advantage. The most anticipated heat of the day was Californian and tour sophomore, Dane Reynolds, against Australian tour veteran, Taj Burrow.

Reynolds struck first with 9.50, but couldn't find a back up wave. Burrow was able to add a 9.10 to his early wave of a 7.17, which gave him the lead as the heat wound down. Then with 12 seconds left, Reynolds was able to find a descent barrel and make it out, a wave not many people saw, due to a squall that moved through the lineup, and cameramen error on the webcast. He was given a 6.73, not enough to make it through.

One person who did see the wave was the champ himself, Kelly Slater, and he made it quite clear as he commentated the webcast, that he thought Reynolds was underscored. It may have been retribution for the Boost Mobile Pro at Lower Trestles last year, where Burrow was possibly under-scored in the Final. Who was also in that heat? You guessed it, Slater, and it was in California. Let's recap, American vs Australian in the US, and the Australian is thought to be under-scored. Australian vs. American in Australia, and the American is thought to be underscored. In both instances Burrow was involved.

Back to the contest. On the last day it happen. Kirra woke up and delivered for the Semifinals and the Final. The heat of the day was Parkinson's Semifinal heat against Mick Fanning. The two are friends, from Coolangatta, and grew up surfing the break with each other, so even though it wasn't the Final it was more or less the main event. Parkinson put up a perfect 10 and a 9.93, which gave him a 19.93 out of a possible 20 and the win. In the other Semifinal Brazilian, Adriano de Souza, took out Burrow.


de Souza with one of his signature speed snaps. Photo: ASP

On to the Final, Parkinson vs. de Souza, Australia vs Brazil, Local Boy vs. Visitor. The showdown was on, and with a large Brazilian crowd on the Australian beach the stage was set. Parkinson put up an early 8.83, and de Souza wasn't able to find much of anything. At the 12 minute mark, he did put up a 7, which kept him in striking distance. Then with 2 minutes left, it came, as every Aussie on the beach went nuts, Parko dropped into a runner, pulled in, got spit out, and another perfect 10 and the Quiksilver Pro were his.

Well, there you have it, on the final day two perfect 10s and two heat wins. That's how you win a contest. With the victory Parkinson takes the early lead in the race for the ASP World Title. Next stop, Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia. For more on the ASP World Tour click here.








QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.83
2. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.30

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 19.93 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.66
SF 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.84 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5.34

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 5:
1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 1200 points
2. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 1032 points
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 876 points
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 876 points
5. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 732 points
5. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 732 points
5. Adrian Buchan (AUS)732 points
5. Damien Hobgood (USA) 732 points