WCT Event #4

ATTITUDE: The Brazilians are rabid surfing fanatics. Everyone from capoeira instructors to frothing junior champions prowl the line-ups. The punchy beachbreaks boasted by the region offer opportune playgrounds for the light-footed aerial specialists on tour.

THE WAVE: Brazil’s best beachbreaks, Joaquina and Imbituba, are generally smaller and shorter waves, but they can get powerful and hollow when it pumps.

PERKS: Brazilian-cut bathing suit bottoms and caipirinha cocktailos – need we say more?

PERILS: Again, Brazilian-cut bathing suit bottoms and caipirinhas cocktailos – need we say more?

APRES SURF: Brazilians are renowned for their nightlife, spend some time in Brazil and you’ll know why. Things don’t get well and truly underway until the early hours of the morning though, pre-party with energy drinks.

ASP WORLD TOUR HISTORY: Brazil has played host to many an ASP tour event over the past 30 years. Former contest sites include Rio de Janeiro, Barra de Tijuca and Saquarema, but the past four years have seen the tour set up shop in Florianopolis.

NOTABLE: Falling towards the end of the tour, the past few years have seen several ASP world champions crowned in Brazil. In 2004 it was Andy Irons, in 2005 is was Kelly Slater (who had his 2006 ASP World Title already stitched up by Brazil). Last season, mighty Mick Fanning sewed up his first ASP World Title in Brazil, bringing the coveted cup back to the Aussies for the first time since Occy did it back in ’99.

PAST HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO CHAMPS:
2008: Bede Durbidge (AUS)
2007: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2006: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2005: Damien Hobgood (USA)
2004: Taj Burrow (AUS)
2003: Kelly Slater (USA)