R96 H8: John John Florence 1 – WINNER
WQS PROFILES
MICHEL BOUREZ
Birthday: December 30, 1985
Hometown: Toahotu, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Nike 6.0, Red Bull, Futures Fins, Kelly Surfboards
Tahiti’s current ambassador to competitive surfing, Bourez aka Spartan, is known for his fierce water presence and major upsets, as he has defeated some of the world’s best, proving that he is himself a top-notch competitor.
DUSTY PAYNE
Birthday: December, 27, 1988
Hometown: Lahaina, Maui, USA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Volcom clothing, Nike 6.0 footwear, Body Glove wetsuits, Creatures of Leisure accessories, Nixon watches, Monster energy drinks, Channel Islands surfboards and Electric eyewear.
Hawaii standout and competitive machine, this modern(collective) surfer will push the competitive bar and force the old guard to match his aerial talents.
KAI BARGER
Birthday: November 20, 1989
Hometown: Haiku, HI, USA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Oakley, Hurley, Nike 6.0, Local Motion, DaKine
The 2009 ASP Junior World Champion, has proven himself as a born competitor, now he aims to qualify for the Dream Tour, using his patented blend of Hawaiian power and big airs to match.
ADRIANO DE SOUZA
Birthday: February 13, 1987
Hometown: Guaruja, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Oakley clothing and eyewear, Red Bull energy drinks, Pukas surfboards, FCS Fins, Gorilla Grip accessories
Known for his explosion through the ranks of the ASP, culminating in his reaching the World Tour in 2006, De Souza has been putting in his work the last few years, and will be driven to gain needed points to advance his ranking.
CJ HOBGOOD
Birthday: July 6, 1979
Hometown: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Globe footwear and clothing, Smith eyewear, Vestal watches, DaKine accessories, Waterman’s sunscreen and FCS Fins
A Former world champion, and all around surfing legend, C.J. has done it all before and can do it all again. Having won both the Foster’s Cup in 2002 and the Jeep Body Glove Surfbout in 2007 both at Lowers, he definitely has it wired.
DAMIEN HOBGOOD
Birthday: July 6, 1979
Hometown: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors:Globe Footwear and clothing, Anon Optics eyewear, DaKine accessories and FCS Fins
On the World Tour since 2000, Damien had battled his way through more than a few surf contests. Alongside his brother, look for the Hobgoods to combo the competition.
JADSON ANDRE
Birthday: March, 13, 1990
Hometown: Natal City, Brazil
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Oakley eyewear and clothing, FCS Fins and Gorilla Grip accessories
Brazil’s new hope, Andre came away with a victory at the Quiksilver Pro Durban in 2009, proving this goofy-footer is no joke. Young, driven and ripping, Andre will be a competitor to watch.
DANE REYNOLDS
Birthday: September 7, 1985
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Quiksilver wetsuits and clothing, Channel Islands Surfboards and accessories, DC shoes, Monster energy drinks and Ventura Surf Shop
This Ventura local has been pushing the limits of wave-riding with massive airs and huge fins-free turns and tail-slides. Reynolds has showed glipmses of his competitive genius this year and will be looking at Lowers to help start the momentum that could easily make him World Champion.
ANDY IRONS
Birthday: July 24, 1978
Hometown: Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Billabong wetsuits, clothing and surfboards, Von Zipper eyewear, Monster energy drinks, Kustom footwear, Nixon watches and DaKine accessories
Rested and ready to compete after his one year hiatus from competitive surfing. The three time ASP World Champion, won the 2004 Body Glove Surfbout at Lowers and will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with.
TAYLOR KNOX
Birthday: May 15, 1971
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California, USA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Rip Curl wetsuits and clothing, Adio footwear, Channel Islands surfboards, OAM accessories and Resurrect Sports Drink
The 1994 winner of the Body Glove Surfbout VII at Lowers. A true legend and O.G. of competitive surfing, at 38 years old, with 16 ASP World Tour seasons under his belt, Knox is surfing stronger than ever. His timeless rail to rail power surfing and extensive training regiment may leave some of the younger surfers looking like they need to hit the gym.
BRETT SIMPSON
Birthday: January 5, 1985
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California USA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Hurley wetsuits and clothing, Etnies footwear, Dragon eyewear, H.S.S, Hamish Graham Surfboards, Blackline accessories, Nixon watches, Toyota of H.B, Future Fins and Power Balance
Training hard and surfing harder. In his first (Rookie) year on the Dream Tour, Simpo will be looking to gain key points to propel him forward in the rankings and earn his keep on the tour, while of course taking a shot at the title.
JODY SMITH
Birthday: February 11, 1988
Hometown: Durban, South Africa
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: O’Neill wetsuits and clothing, Red Bull energy drinks, JS Industries surfboards, DVS footwear, Vestal watches and DaKine accessories
Having already turned heads this season, with his unique blend of power surfing and big aerials and a 2nd and 5th placing in the last two Dream Tour events, Jordy has shown he is equally dangerous as both a free and competing surfer.
TOM WHITAKER
Hometown: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Oakley eyewear and clothing, Dahlberg surfboards and Modum accessories
His 8th year on the ASP World Tour, the Philanthropist and and seasoned competitor won the Margaret River Drug Aware Pro in 2008 and is looking to do some damage with his well rounded style of hard carves and fins free hacks.
NATE YEOMANS
Birthday: August 18, 1981
Hometown: San Clemente, California, USA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Rusty surfboards and clothing, Oakley eyewear, Killer Dana surf shop, O.A.M. accessories, Go211.com, Sambazon foods and Body Glove wetsuits
The San Clemente local, who perfected his backhand surfing at Lowers, had a key victory in 2009 at the O’neill Cold Water Classic 6-Star PRIME, and will be looking to use his home-field advantage to come up with a big win at Lowers. 2010 is his Rookie year on the Dream Tour.
PATRICK GUDAUSKAS
Birthday: November 20, 1985
Hometown: San Clemente, California, USA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Vans footwear and clothing, Channel Islands surfboards, Oakley eyewear, Jack’s surf shop and Skull Candy headphones
This Lower’s local is the first person to land a rodeo-flip in competition. With all the water time he has logged at Trestles expect him use his local knowledge to put on a show for his buddies on the beach.
TANNER GUDAUSKAS
Birthday: July 4, 1988
Hometown: San Clemente, California, USA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors:Vans clothing and footwear, Smith eyewear, Skull Candy headphones, Al Merrick surfboards and Jacks’ surf shop
Yet another San Clemente local, promising that this year will turn Lowers into a battle of the hometown hero’s now on the Dream Tour. Despite it being his first year on tour Tanner is an incredibly well rounded competitor who looks to be a Tour presence for years to come.
KOLOHE ANDINO
Birthday: Mar 22, 1994
Hometown: San Clemente, California, USA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Nike 6.0, Red Bull, Target, Billabong, Von Zipper, Kustom, Mayhem, and Boost Mobile
Young phenom, six-time NSSA National Champion, and two-time USA National Champion, known for destroying waves at Lowers. He has both the local knowledge and the ability to make his presence felt.
OWEN WRIGHT
Birthday: January 16, 1990
Hometown: Culburra Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Rip Curl wetsuits and clothing, Monster energy drinks, Dragon sunglasses, Boost Mobile, Gorilla Grip traction, FCS fins and accessories and Byrne surfboards
Believe the hype, another Rookie on the Dream Tour, Wright has made an impressive showing with his huge fins-free turns and bold maneuvers.
FREDRICK “FREDDY” PATACCHIA
Birthday: December 15, 1981
Hometown: North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Quiksilver wetsuits and clothing, Arnette sunglasses and Bud Light
Last year’s wild card selection and winner of the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, Freddy P. has been a fixture on the World Tour since 2005. Known for his composure in powerful surf and his high performance dominance in small waves, whether it’s Sunset Beach (which he has won twice) or Lowers, the Hawaiian is always a contender.
