Ole, Ole, Ole at Oxbow Pro; Tahiti Turns Back On E-mail
While the Billabong Pro Teahupoo waits for a new swell cycle to spin some magic up into Tahiti, we had a very successful conclusion to the Oxbow ASP World Longboard Championship in Anglet, France last week. History was made when the first ever World Championship victory for Brazil was assured when Phil Rajsman defeated fellow Brazilian Roger Bahia in the first Semi, followed swiftly by Rodrigo Danilo overcoming former World Champion Bonga Perkins of Hawaii in the second. This represents a monumental achievement for Brazil � a huge psychological breakthrough that will go a long way to creating a long sought after "winning culture" that will hopefully permeate throughout all Brazilian surfing disciplines. The Brazilian contingent left an emphatic footprint on these championships by finishing 1, 2, 3 � resulting in a joyous scene on the podium as celebrations began after a great event. I have been to many events, from ISA Surfing Games to individual surf meets, where Brazil has finished second and still celebrated with all the flair they are renowned for.

They have won national team events, which erupted in a wave of ole, ole oles, but to crack the big one is just a wonderful moment for a surfing nation that wears its heart on its sleeve. When you wrap a national flag around the shoulders of Brazilian surf I swear they grow a foot in stature, and so it was at Les Cavaliers � the classy beach break adjacent to Anglet in the south west district of France.

There are many great stories to emerge from the �07 edition of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championships, not the least of which is Oxbow�s triumphant return to ASP World Championship surfing, but it will be the legacy of Phil Rajsman, Rodrigo Danilo and Roger Bahia that will endure in the wash-up to this stand alone World Championship. Congratulations all, Phil Rajsman is the first official ASP World Champion for 2007 and will be crowned alongside the ASP World Champions from all disciplines at a gala banquet next February on the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, it has been a waiting game at Teahupoo. The first day of the waiting period saw Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Teahupoo go off in decent surf. This day represented the last of the excellent cycle Tahiti had been the focus of and even though the swell was on the wane there, there were some excellent performances.

Eight-time Foster�s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater led the way with a scintillating performance, virtually smoking the field over Best 2 waves. It was also a day for late escapes, dual World ratings leaders Mick Fanning and Taj Burrow experiencing both ends of the scale, Fanning coming through unscathed while Burrow will have to negotiate a tricky Round 2 encounter with local legend Manoa Drollet.

Most of the genuine Teahupoo masters are through to Round 3, including three-time World Champion Andy Irons, his rad brother Bruce and defending event champion Bobby Martinez �
while former World Champion CJ Hobgood, last year�s runner up Fred Patacchia, former winners Cory Lopez and Occy and the ever-dangerous Damo Hobgood join Taj in the sudden death losers round.

There has been a long wait in between heats and with no major swell looming in the window tensions will not be on high alert, but the waiting game can be taxing psychologically. A lot can happen in a week.

With a bit of surf predicted into this weekend the guys know the lay days are coming to an end. Even if it�s only 4-foot, Teahupoo is a challenge. The year Kelly and Shane Dorian surfed the Final it was only that size, but the hotdog surfing was sensational � featuring huge floaters over dry reef. It was a mathematical equation, how many major snaps can I squeeze into 20 meters of wave space. Every move will count, weighing up whether to pull in or go big will be a choice of consequence, and that last close-out section becomes very tempting, even though it more often than not leads to grief.

Good luck to one and all.
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