3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Stop #3 

May 11 - May 22 The Billabong Rio Pro Brazil by Jock Barnes

Intro
Since the early 90s Brazilian’s have been making their presence felt on both tours and in the last 20 years have become one of surfing’s power nations. The Hang Loose Pro is their chance to show surfing what they have to offer the world’s beach culture aside from the hottest race of females ever to be bestowed on god’s green earth. Personally the women are the main attraction the surfing contest can just be used to fill the interim.
The Wave
Brazil is not known for it’s perfect surf or even good surf, I mean lets face it Brazil is the least reliable location on tour since the Japan leg ,was stopped. There has been a re-scheduling this year from the usual calendar slot of October to the winter months and maybe this will bring a more reliable source of swell. Despite the rep Brazilian beaches can have some power with the right banks and swell but all we can say for now is it is likely to be random beach break conditions.
Equipment
Here is the only stop on tour likely to attract a grovel board. Surfers will be opting for short boards and maybe one or two with slightly wider outlines. The glass jobs will be light, rails will be full and concaves will be deep.
Keep your eyes on
All the Brazilian surfers no one knows their waves like they do, oh and Mick, Kelly and Taj because of their track record in Brasil.
My Pick
Taj Burrow