Billabong Rio Pro 2011 - Preview

With 2 events behind us on the 2011 WCT, the tour now heads to the vibrant city of Rio, Brazil. The contest moves here from its previous location of Florinoppolis and I for one think this will have a major impact on the competition. The level of support the local Brazillian boys will have from the beach, could see some major upsets on the cards. If you play Fantasy Surfer, you  will want to make sure you have some Brazilian representation.

Rio is a city famous for its beauty and geography, for its exotic landscapes that mix sea and mountain and of course, for its beaches. It’s not by chance that during the last 50 years surfing has grown here and has become very popular among the Brazilian youth, at first in Rio South Zone, afterwards in all of Brazil. Today surfing is one of the most practiced sports on the Brazilian coast.

Peterson Crisanto, the young wildcard. He loos dangerous in the water. (Photo: ASP)

The locals to look out for start with Jadson Andre, the defending champion and a man who gets better by the event on the WCT. Fun, punchy beach break is going to suit this guy and nobody will want him in their heats. Also be wary of the wildcard, Peterson Crisanto, the latest representative of Brazil's new generation, was announced as the wildcard for the Billabong Rio Pro 2011. Petersinho, as he is know in his home country, is an aerial specialist and definitely has a full bag of tricks to prove himself in the big stage against the top surfers in the world.
The surfer got his year started with a bang, winning one of the biggest prizes in the PRO JR category at Burleigh Heads, Australia, last January.


Who is Peterson Crisanto from Billabong on Vimeo.

Then we have the front runners in the title race right now. King Kelly Slater still sits on top of the rankings, but he is by no means out far ahead. Joel Parkinson lifted himself to 2nd place on the rankings with a well earned 1st at Bells and Jordy Smith has finished 3rd in both early events to secure himself in 3rd on the rankings and within easy reach of the number 1 spot. All three of these guys can deliver in punchy beach break, but I think Smith has the advantage if  it is smaller and weaker. His experience in the Durban bowls will see him a lethal threat. Don't think for a minute that he is to big to surf small waves, he will prove you wrong.


2011 Billabong Rio Pro - Webisode #1 from Billabong USA on Vimeo.

My danger men - Taj Burrows, a man who has won multiple titles in Brazil and loves these nuggety little beach break conditions. Likewise, Josh Kerr, has not had the best start to the year, but with his arsenal of arials, new school turns and tube riding small waves, he will be a very dangerous adversary in these conditions.


2011 Billabong Rio Pro - Webisode #2 from Billabong USA on Vimeo.

All in all, I think we may be in for one of the most exciting Billabong Pro, Brazil, events ever!

Catch all the action at - Billabong Pro Live