The 2011 Nike Lowers Pro will forever be remembered as the moment when Brazilians abruptly changed the landscape of pro surfing. While Brazil has been firing warning shots at the U.S. and Australia for years, never before had their invading force so firmly dominated an event at Lower Trestles. Last year they claimed 6 of the top 8 spots, as well as 3 of the top 4; so it was only fitting that Miguel Pupo, one of their own, walked off with the precious golden spike.

One year later, the impact of 2011 is just starting to be realized. Pupo's victory propelled him into the Top 32 just in time for the mid-season cutoff, launching him onto the ASP's World Championship Tour. In that lofty bracket he's joined a powerful group of Brazilian surfers that include Adriano De Souza, Alejo Muniz, Jadson Andre, Heitor Alves, Raoni Monteiro and Gabriel Medina.

The Brazilians already outnumber the Americans at the elite level.

And at Lowers last year they delivered a scary message: they're just getting started. Not only is the Brazilian talent pool overflowing (There are two dozen Brazilians the ASP's top 100). But their up-and-coming stars are as acrobatic, charismatic, and talented as they come. Bottom line, if you're not already respecting them, you will be.

Above Right: Miguel Pupo used his victory at the 2011 Nike Lowers Pro to propel him into the world's elite Top 32. Photo: Hillman

Is there anything more liberating than that first set of car keys in your hand? That's the question the people at Subaru asked the other day while telling us about their new firstcarstory.com website.

For most of us, that's the day when the world's possibilities become real. The horizon is suddenly well within reach. I know that was the case with my first car, which wasn't a car at all, but a massive Dodge Maxi-Van.

By the time I was handed down driving rights to our family's late 70's battle cruiser it had suffered unmerciful poundings by way of our family of eight. Of course, its massive size didn't bother me. Nor did its dents, scratches or even the holes in the floor. The bed in back was perfect protection for my surfboards, and the ample room made it possible for me to extort gas money from all my surfing buddies.



There was just one problem. I earned my first driver's license when I was a towering 5'3" grommet weighing in a t115 lbs, which meant I was barely visible to those peering up at me, including the police. Getting pulled over became routine as a result. No amount of pillows or phonebooks could change that.

While this became a pain at times it was always enjoyable watching the cops react. And really, for my freedom I wouldn't have cared if I got pulled over everyday.

That's my first car story. The people at Subaru want you to tell yours. If you do, they'll send you a cool little animated video of your story shortly after. Above is mine.

Hollywood producers only expected a few minor challenges when giving the story of legendary big-wave surfer, Jay Moriarty, the green-light. Clearly, they underestimated the task at hand.

The 55-foot "Huli Cat" nearly capsized at Mavericks, off the coast of Half Moon Bay, Calif. Photo: Frank Quirarte

Back in December, during early filming, actor Gerard Butler nearly drowned after being caught inside by a set of 25-foot waves. He endured a frightening two-wave hold-down, and was rushed off in an ambulance after rescuers got him ashore.

This week, with huge swells pounding the coast near Half Moon Bay, Calif., filming resumed at Mavericks, which is the most revered big-wave spot in North America. Wednesday and Thursday were banner days of surf. But according Ken "Skindog" Collins, and other local surfers, the perfect conditions -- sunny skies, light winds, and glassy surface -- may have lulled many into a false sense of security.

Related:Kelly Slater's new milestone: 40

Among those lured into danger were the crew members aboard the 55-foot Huli Cat. The boat, which served as home-base for the film crew and thousands of dollars worth of equipment, barely escaped a batch of rogue waves-- but not before getting slammed by a giant wall of whitewater and nearly capsizing.

South African Grant "Twiggy" Baker makes annual treks to Mavericks for waves like this. Photo: Quirarte

"Their intention was to get close to the lineup...but not that close," says Frank Quirarte, a Mavericks photographer who works as part of the water rescue team in his spare time. "They'd made a few close escapes earlier, then that happened."

The challenge for cinematographers of the film is capturing the massive waves while also delivering sense of scale. Of course, nothing provides perspective like sticking a 55-foot boat in the foreground of your shot. Maybe that's why the crew had the Huli Cat operating in a dual role-- as a film target and command center.

"If you're on one of the zodiacs you can get out of trouble in a hurry," says Quirarte. "Not so on that thing. That was a scary moment."

While some aboard were checking their underpants afterward, Grant Washburn, one of the men hanging-on in the back of the boat, was remarkably cool throughout the ordeal. Washburn is a respected Mavericks icon who was a close friend of Moriarty's. As a consultant on the film, his job is to ensure the project's authenticity. After all, the last thing Moriarty would want is for Mavericks to be bastardized by green screens and CGI.

The story of Jay Moriarty is, in many ways, the story of Mavericks. In 1994, when Moriarty was just 16, he became part of surfing lore after surviving one of the worst wipeouts in history there. A photo of his harrowing ride landed him on the cover of Surfer Magazine. Then, just three days after that incident, legendary Hawaiian surfer Mark Foo was killed at Mavericks. The stunning week of powerful surf combined with the Foo tragedy propelling Mavericks onto the global stage. Moriarty, too, was vaulted into the limelight thanks to his impressive performances the rest of that year.

However, Moriarty's life was tragically cut short during a free diving accident in 2001.

These days, boats are a regular fixture in the lineup at Mavericks because the break sits more than a half mile from shore. Professional photographers use them as perches while surfers hitch rides back and forth to shore and store spare boards on them. The numbers of boats has been increasing ever since NOAA's controversial decision to ban the use of personal watercrafts at Mavericks in 2010.

Scary episodes aside, those close to the film say they're extremely happy with the footage they've managed to capture. After last week's incredible swell, they believe the audience will understand exactly what it looks like to have a 30-foot wave approaching.

Kelly Slater's 11 world titles haven't come easy, regardless of how they've looked. Keeping the drive alive for two full decades involves incredible sacrifice and dedication. Time and again, Slater's either had to wait patiently or dig deep for new sources of motivation. One year it's a new threat, the next it's validating new equipment. And lately, after being pushed by guys half his age, it's been incorporating a new brand of acrobatic surfing.

Believe it or not, the world's greatest surfer turns 40 on Saturday, one week before he sets out to defend the same title he first won back in 1992, when he became the youngest world champion ever.

Two decades later he owns every record in the book, and continues to meet every challenge he dares to set in front of him. So what---if anything---could possibly be motivating this man heading into 2012?

Well, aside from winning at 40, how about that little thing we call mankind?

Let's face it, at this point Slater is a science experiment. A lab specimen if you will. C'mon, no athlete in history has dominated his field as long as Slater. Period. And what's more remarkable is he keeps getting better. How the hell is this possible? No, seriously? The guy keeps rewriting the rules of endurance and stamina, so why stop now? Why not let man know once and for all what's physically possible? When will we get another chance like this to learn?

We figured Kelly hitting the big Four-Oh was as good an excuse as any to catch up with him. After welcoming him into the dinosaur club, he revealed some of his secrets for staying young in our probing Q&A where Kelly filled in the blanks. One thing is certain: if you think he's bummed about getting older, think again.

1.) Dude, haven't you heard? 40 is the new shit.

2.) I've tried a lot of different exercise and workout variations over the years, from yoga to sex, circuit training, the gym and bodysurfing. But right now I'm having the most fun with people thinking I know Jiu Jitsu.

3.) Based on my vitals (blood pressure, cholesterol, body fat, resting heart beat) I'd say my "real age" is probably between 20 and 39.

4.) When I'm not in the water eating healthy and not overeating has helped me stay in shape the most during my career.

5.) I used to eat a lot of sugar, but now I don't touch it. I've basically replaced it with maple syrup or Stevia because it's healthier.

6.) When I look at 50-year-old guys like Dr. Nick Delgado or Dr. Bob Delmonteque(when he was 90!) I get inspired about the future.

7.) The best thing for me to eat when I wake up on a contest morning is warm water and lemon, then fresh, organic, sub-acid fruits (apples, pears, grapes, etc.) because the cleansing and alkalizing to get your system going.

8.) The food that's the absolute hardest for me to stay away from is Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond.

9.) True or False: Today I feel stronger and faster than I did 10 years ago. Stronger for sure. Not always faster but usually I think that's motivation, not physical.

10.) Even if I do retire soon I'd still like to get a wildcard or two when I'm 50 at places like The World Tour of Poker, The Masters at Augusta...and maybe Pipe.


Kelly Slater through the years. Top: Quik Pro New York 2011, photo: Kirstin/ASP. Middle row: The wonder years in Florida. Photo: Dugan/Quiksilver; Tavarua takeover. Photo: Serviais/Quiksilver.

In a huge break from tradition, the Winter X Games in Aspen opened quietly and in the dark on Thursday night as fans, friends and family honored the life and legacy of Sarah Burke, the 29-year-old Canadian freeskiing icon who lost her life on January 19. With bright white glowsticks overhead, more than 100 of her peers drifted slowly down the darkened superpipe in front of a still crowd that fell completely silent.

Burke was a six-time winner known for breaking barriers in the superpipe, and was supposed to be defending her latest X Games gold in the superpipe this week, but her life was cut short after she succumbed to injuries suffered in a training accident. Her loss has been a devastating blow to a shocked skiing community, as she was even more of a moving force off the mountain.

More on Yahoo: Colten Moore's wild ride to Winter X Games gold

As a staunch supporter of the women's movement in freestyle skiing, and it was Burke's efforts that helped propel the sport into the X Games in 2009, and gain acceptance into the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

"Everything she believed in is on this mountain tonight," said Winter X emcee Sal Masekela. "Competition, excellence, progression."

Bumper stickers and arm bands with slogans paying tribute to Sarah can be seen all over Aspen. Earlier in the day, after fellow Canadian Kaya Turski won her third-straight gold in Women's Ski Slopestyle, she vowed to champion Sarah's cause. "We have someone watching from above that we need to make proud. We all need to follow in Sarah's footsteps. She was pushing the sport even when she didn't need to; she was trying new tricks, landing new tricks, and I think now it's our turn to keep pushing for her."


A Sarah Burke tribute video. from Downtofilm. on Vimeo.

More on GrindTV.com

• Two supercross racers are recovering after horrific crash
• Behind the scenes at Winter X Games
• The case for bringing Summer X Games to Bora Bora