VOLUME. 01
ISSUE. 01
WELCOME TO FIJI Bula and welcome to Fiji. Arguably the best stop on the ASP tour. For the top 34 surfers in the world this stop marks the midway point of their year. It’s a spot where they go back to surf camp mode – inescapable of hiding from each other’s company they bro down and throw down in a groundhog day like atmosphere. The Australians stay on Namotu excluding Gabriel Medina and Jadson Andre, while the Americans, Hawaiians and remaining internationals prefer to stay on Tavarua. In the past two years King Kelly has reigned supreme. When you consider he’s been coming here for the past 20 years, and won the event four times it’s little wonder why he’s so hard to beat. He spends months at a time here … it’s his haven. But will the tide turn at this year’s Fiji Pro?
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KIEREN PERROW ROAD TESTING : JOLI
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Rookie of the year Nat Young hates los-
that happens then event organisers will have
ing. You can bet he’s currently on Tavarua
to move fast and at least roll out a couple of
locked in a fierce battle with his fellow
rounds this week. It may be the year it’s an
roommates in everything from basketball,
advantage to be a goofy as the tricky, sucky
tennis, and board games to lining up for a
barrels will be easier to squeeze into on
meal. Nat is a fierce competitor and one
your forehand. One thing’s for sure Santa
of the goofy contingent that have a shot at
Cruz’s Nat Young will be fighting until the
breaking the right foot forward hoodoo at
bitter end.
this year’s Fiji Pro. Only CJ Hobgood advanced to the quarterfinals last year and
NAT WITH A VICIOUS HACK : JOLI
you can bet Owen Wright, Kai Otton, Fred Patacchia, Adrian Buchan, Gabriel Medina, Matt Wilkison and CJ will all be hunting for that elusive title. On top of that, the forecast looks small. A huge high-pressure system sits over Australia like a stubborn mule soon to be replaced by another one according to ASP commissioner, Kieren Perrow. If
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JON ROSEMAN TAKING WALSHY AND DORAIN ALONG FOR THE RIDE : JOLI
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ACCELERATED PERFECTION : JOLI
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OWEN WRIGHT COMMITTED : JOLI
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“Fast forward to Thursday and the Women’s comp is first called on at Cloudbreak in solid 6’ surf but then the decision was made to move it to Restaurants as the swell continued to build. Unfortunately the Restaurants call was made as the tide was dropping and the event was put on hold till early afternoon. The call was made for a tow hour break the island boats raced to Cloudbreak with all sorts of crew wanting to score some waves. Ross Williams was basically dropped off the boat just off the take off zone and within minutes was paddling into one of the waves of the day, sort of like when Dave Wassel got dropped out the back on the big swell two years ago and scored one of the waves of the day. Ross dropped in, bottom turned, stood on the tail to stall and pulled into a open pit and parked himself in there as the wave reeled off down the reef.” - Joli ROSS WILLIAMS TAKES A BREAK FROM THE MIC : JOLI
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Gabriel Medina has been to Fiji a number of times over the years. His experience shows, looking comfortable everytime he hits the water. The past two events haven’t been kind to Gabby but he sits currently number 5 on the ratings. A win here could change the title race and propel him into poll position. The talk of the island however isn’t world titles. It’s the new ‘do’ the young Brazilian is sporting which has beenturning heads. When he arrived last week even the remaining women’s competitors commented how sharp he was looking. When countrymen, Jadson Andre arrived the banter went into overdrive, as he deliberatly pulled at his hair and reminded him how good it looked at every opportunity. It all seems to wash over Medina who looks focused but relaxed going into this event.
GABRIEL MEDINA SWOOPING ON NIRVANA : JOLI
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Dorian spent months here as a boatman over a five year period just after he retired from the world tour and knows the Cloudbreak Reef as well as anyone. He is one guy who seems totally comfortable riding the wave backside and is always hunting the barrel. He’d arrived a few weeks ago with his family and about 10 Big Island grommets in tow. They were roughing it on Tavarua by camping on the island and Shane was mentoring them on the surfing all the breaks in the area. Dorian has just launched a website called ‘stacking clips’ and before he came he attended a Go Pro workshop for board riding sports in Hawaii where he was taught about editing and the optimum settings for the GoPro. he was never without one in his sessions and the proof is all up online and on his Instagram account @shanedorian SHANE DORIAN IN A FAMILIAR PLACE : JOLI
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“Walshy has taken Go Pro to another level. He’s become the master of getting clips and has even scored a job traveling with the tour representing GoPro, one of the tours official sponsors. Pretty cool gig as he gets to surf all the breaks and capture all sorts of angles including the odd ‘selfie’ inside the barrel at Cloudbreak.” - Joli ANTHONY WALSH ADDS ANOTHER SELFIE : JOLI
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