Nike 6.0 Blog

12 Miles North Online Premiere

EvanInstrument — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:58:29 GMT

The capricious ocean so very strong,
Robust, powerful, can I be wrong?
Pounding, beating upon its cousin shore,
Comes it clapping, rapping with a mighty roar.
-Nick Gabaldon, May 31, 1951

In the 1940s, behind where Shutters and Casa Del Mar stand today, there was a beach known as The Ink Well - the only place on the Westside of Los Angeles where people of color could congregate.

A teenager named Nick Gabaldon frequented the beach with friends and family. Borrowing a lifeguard’s paddleboard one day, Nick was immediately hooked. But segregation being what it was at the time, the hot spot of the time, Malibu, was off limits because of the color of his skin. So, one day Nick paddled the 12 miles from the Ink Well to Malibu. He earned himself a spot in the iconic lineup, becoming friends with local legends like Ricky Grigg, Bob Simmons and Buzzy Trent. But to and fro he paddled still.

In June of 1951 a large swell was bombarding the Southern California Coast. Nick wanted a piece of it. On June 6 he took off on a Malibu point wave, some say as big as tenfeet, shot the pier but hit a pylon. His body was found three days later.

Nick Gabaldon’s undying passion is an inspiration to anyone who has ever had the courage to dream. The waves belong to all of us, and so does the memory of Nick. Find out more at facebook.com/NikeSurfing.

The full-length 12 Miles North film will be available to download on February 16th at 3pm PST.

Kolohe and Nat Bag Wins at ECSC

Gronamo — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:24:19 GMT

He's won plenty in the west, now, in the eye of the storm, Kolohe Andino's taken his act back east. Scrambling to knock out the ASP 4-Star East Coast Surfing Championships before Hurricane Irene showed up in Virginia Beach, Kolohe took out the main event, finished a very respectable forth in the pro junior, and yesterday was crowned ASP North America Junior champ. This all comes after making the semifinals in England last week and the U.S. Open of Surfing the week before that. It's been a big month for the kid.

“I surfed seven heats today so I was really tired, especially in the last Final,” noted Kolohe after it was all said and done. “I couldn’t really pick one or the other to win if I had to choose, because Nat and all the guys in the Junior are such amazing surfers, they’re just as good as everyone in the men’s Final. I was stoked to win this one, but I wanted to win both events for sure.”

And speaking of the pro junior, Santa Cruz's own Nat Young went to work after a much needed summer vacation after the US Open.

"I didn’t go to Europe and I thought I’d take a break,” told Young. “I took a little time and free-surfed and went on a trip and I came back hungry to do well.”

Considering the international draw in talent at the event both Kolohe and Nat's wins were no easy feat, but with a Category 2 hurricane bearing down on them they were under a whole different kind of pressure. Both are from California and haven't spent a lot of time in hurricane preparedness mode.

"We had to beat it off the beach," laughed Kolohe. "The storm clouds were coming. It's been a great week, stoked, but now it's time to go."

Holy Toledo: Lakey and Filipe Win Jr. Titles

Gronamo — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 01:28:51 GMT

“He’s the Justin Bieber of San Clemente,” shrieked a gaga teenybopper.

Kolohe Andino paced the awards stage, waiting for newly minted US Open of Surfing pro junior champion Filipe Toledo to arrive. Then the crowd of thousands let up a roar as Toledo sauntered out, draped in a Brazilian flag.

“It’s unbelievable!” smiled the elated 16-year-old. “Thanks to Brazil, my family, my sponsor Nike. It’s so good. I’m so, so stoked right now.”

A virtual unknown at the start of the star-studded final, the “Holy Toledo!” references were unavoidable by afternoon’s end. When asked what he thought his chances were at the start of the week, he nodded, “Good, I like them. I know this is a wave I can do good on.”

That would certainly have been enough excitement for one day, but the power of the “Leave A Message” ladies was evident as Lakey Peterson topped the podium of the women’s pro junior, and was backed up by co-stars Malia Manuel, Laura Enever and Coco Ho, respectively.

"We're all really close friends and we were having a good time – enjoying the weather and the waves, having a great time," smiled Peterson. "I was looking at that trophy before I went out, and thinking, 'Oooo, I want that!' Great job to all the girls, they're amazing surfers and I look up to them so much. I'm so excited. Next I got Carissa Moore in the semis of the main event tomorrow, I'm looking forward to it."

Getting the day off on the right foot, in one of only four heats of the main event that ran today, Kolohe put down a heady Round 5 performance. It appears that he will not be denied. Facing Hawaii’s John Florence this morning, Andino strung together a combination of traditional turns, accented by his freakish aerial antics on the inside. He’ll now surf against Dane Reynolds in the quarterfinals.

Next, 2011 ASP World Champion Carissa Moore got into the act. In the quarterfinals of the women’s main event she outlasted hometown hero Courtney Conlogue. Looking to defend her Nike U.S. Open of Surfing title, Moore said, “I’m feeling good. Every girl here is so talented, and this event is so fantastic, I’m having a really good time.”

There’s one more day to go, the Nike U.S. Open of Surfing will crown a men’s and women’s champion tomorrow, and we’ll anoint a Nike Chosen crew winner, as well.

And as Surfer Blood and MGMT took the sound stage, Kolohe grabbed the mic, and smiled out over the crowd, “I’d like to say thanks a lot everyone, it's been a beautiful day. Have fun out there.”

See you tomorrow.

Welcome to the 2011 Nike US Open of Surfing

Gronamo — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:00:39 GMT

The Nike US Open of Surfing has a storied reputation for going big. This year will only add to that legacy with more than 500,000 people expected to attend the week-long surf, skate, BMX, music, fashion and art extravaganza.

The 2011 Nike US Open of Surfing will run from July 30 to August 7. All events are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC or can be viewed live daily at www.usopenofsurfing.com.

Anchored by the world's largest professional surfing competition, the $460,000 US Open is a pivotal point on the ASP World Tour for both the men and women. The men's side will feature a North America ASP Men's Prime event with valuable points on the line right before the dramatic ASP Top 32 cut-off. For the women, the US Open of Surfing will showcase the final event of the 2011 ASP World Title Tour in Surf City this summer. "I'm really excited to be returning to Huntington Beach to try to defend my US Open title," says Hawaii's Carissa Moore. "It's so fun to be competing in front of so many people!" In addition to the high-stakes Mens and Womens divisions, the US Open will feature a grade four men's and women's Pro Junior as well as the Pacifico Nose Riding Invitational - always a crowd favorite.

The action doesn't stop at the shoreline. On the beach, the event will once again host eye-popping tricks from the most talented and diverse crew of riders from across the globe as they skate in a state-of-the-art skate bowl at Converse Coastal Carnage. And, a stellar crew of BMX riders will push the realm of possibility at the Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro. The runway will be busy on Thursday, August 4 as five of the nation's top high schools will compete for $25,000 in the Hurley Walk the Walk National Championship - the ultimate youth fashion competition. And the US Open Music Stage will host a star-studded lineup of bands that will surely rival last year's Weezer performance in front of 50,000-plus screaming fans. Not to mention the summer Nike Chosen Crew Video Contest will announce the winning crew on Sunday, 8.7.

Couple this with one-of-a-kind retail and brand experiences, more than 100 interactive exhibits, autograph signings, DJs and giveaways, and you have another summer to remember at the Nike US Open of Surfing. Be ready to dive into the madness starting July 30.

Carissa Crowned 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion

Gronamo — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:01:44 GMT

At 18 years old, Carissa Moore is the youngest surfer to ever win an ASP Women’s World Title. She’s also the first American woman to win the title since 1997 and the first Hawaiian woman to bring the title back to the islands since 1981. Yes, it’s safe to say history was made today in France.

Moore’s path to global domination has been well charted. Success amongst the junior ranks came easier than a 360 in the soup. NSSA titles piled up, 11 in total. Then she quickly outgrew her competition, so she started competing against the boys until that became too easy to.

In 2008 she won the Hawaiian Pro, thus elevating her as the youngest surfer to ever win a Triple Crown event. She showed up on the cover of Surfer magazine in ’09, the first woman to do so in over a decade.

In 2010 things started to get serious as she qualified for the ASP World Tour – albeit still determined to get her high school diploma (from Punahou School in Honolulu, the same institution that produced a certain President Barack Obama). She’d win two events in ‘10, finish third in the world and be named Rookie of the Year.

Then came 2011, she’s won three out of six events, placing a not-so-disappointing second in the other three. And then as of today, she also captured her first ASP Women’s World Title.

Of course, if you asked her about it, all she says is, “I’m just having fun.”

“It’s been an amazing experience,” she continues, “and I’m just so fortunate to have my family and friends and sponsors offering me such a great support network. None of this would have been possible without them.”

Obviously it’s impossible to say how many world titles she’ll pile up when it’s all said and done, but she’s getting started early, and all indications are that she has a long and fruitful career ahead of her.

“Words can’t describe it,” says Carissa, “I’m just so overwhelmed right now. Growing up you talk about winning world titles and stuff like that, but now it’s actually here. I’m just so happy and thankful right now.”

Carissa’s next stop will be the final event of the Women's World Tour at the Nike US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, CA, where she’ll look to complete her remarkable year in style.

But for now, Carissa: Take the time to JUST DO IT.

Nike CHOSEN: Week 3 Recap

corynasorin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:08:49 GMT

Each week, we'll show you the top crews from around the world that are bringing fresh and unexpected creativity to the Chosen crew video contest or creating buzz in Facebook.

See more and find out how your crew could be chosen to live like a pro at http://www.nike.com/chosen.

Nike CHOSEN: Week 2 Recap

EvanInstrument — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:48:52 GMT

Each week, we'll show you the top crews from around the world that are either bringing fresh and unexpected creativity to the Chosen crew video contest or creating a ton of buzz for themselves in Facebook.

See more and find out how your crew could be chosen to live like a pro at http://www.nike.com/chosen.

Julian Wins in Portugal

Gronamo — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:49:13 GMT

Julian Wilson has won the ASP PRIME Quiksilver Pro Portugal defeating fellow Nike 6.0 surfer, Gabriel Medina in a much anticipated match-up between the two inform surfers of the event, 19.37 to 12.83. A near-perfect performance from Julian left no chance for his younger opponent to build a challenge in excellent 4-5ft wrapping right-handers at the main event site of Ribera D’Ilhas.

“I am so happy. To put in the hard yards for this one has been unreal," says Jules. "I have had a mediocre start to my year and I have been working so hard to make some heats. I came off four weeks in Brazil without a strong result and I went home to reassess and do a bit of training and got really motivated. I flew over here by myself with just the goal of winning and stayed focused so it worked out.”

Don't ever let anybody tell you hardwork doesn't pay off. Huge congrats to Julian on his big win in Portugal, and here's to him carrying this momentum into J-Bay in July and the US Open of Surfing at the beginning of August.

Nike Chosen: Noticed! Episode 1 feat. High and Tight

EvanInstrument — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:21:58 GMT

Each week, we'll notice and profile a crew from around the world that's either bringing fresh and unexpected creativity to the Chosen crew video contest or creating a ton of buzz for themselves in Facebook.

The first episode finds us in San Clemente, California, where High and Tight fills us in on where their creative idea came from, why G-strings can be advantageous, and how they're living the dream in San Clemente. We hope you like it.

Show High and Tight some love on their crew page on Facebook and stay tuned for next week's Episode of Noticed!

Nike CHOSEN Crew Contest Invite

EvanInstrument — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:47:44 GMT

Check out the announcement from Paul Rodriguez, Julian Wilson and Danny Kass about the opportunity of a lifetime: you and your crew’s chance to live like Nike pros.

We’re looking for the crews that capture the most style, creativity and originality with their videos. Show us footage that’s unexpected and fresh (not necessarily the best trick-to-trick video part). Push your crew’s collective creativity and show us original, insightful stuff, and don’t forget to pack your videos full of your own personality and style.

We’ve got your soundtrack covered. We worked with Terrorbird to curate the strongest 25 tracks we could find across indie, electro, hip-hop and metal genres. Use em, abuse em, mash em up. They are all yours.

Hurry up! The contest submission period is 6.2 – 7.29. The top crew from each participating country with the most social interaction and buzz on Facebook that has the most style, creativity and originality will be chosen by Nike to advance to Round 2.

At the US Open of Surfing on 7.30, your peers from around the world will cast their vote and narrow the nine crews to three chosen finalists.

On 8.7, directly before the Men’s Surf Finals, our Nike athletes will announce the crew they decide is Chosen to live like a Nike pros.

Couple helpful reminders if you’re shooting/editing a video for the Chosen crew video contest so you comply with the required legal terms and conditions of running a contest:
• Your video contains only images of you and your crew that has signed up for The Chosen, nobody else.
• Your video is original and authentic and does not contain any images or video from the web, TV or other people’s work.
• Your video is appropriate, and you wouldn’t be afraid to show it to your Mom.
• Your crew (that has signed up) own and control all rights to the video and its contents.
• You only used the music provided.

Don’t forget to check the “Essentials” page in the Chosen crew contest app on Facebook for our music tracks, video ident/bumper and tips on creating buzz on Facebook.

We wish every crew that participates the best of luck. We’re all really excited to see what you come up with.

Sign up for the Chosen here: http://www.nike.com/chosen

Watch the Nike CHOSEN Trailer

EvanInstrument — Thu, 26 May 2011 05:04:27 GMT

On June 2 Julian Wilson, Kolohe Andino, Garrett Reynolds, Louie Vito and team will take the stage in the NIKE CHOSEN.

Watch the trailer above and RSVP on Facebook to see and exclusive view of the full "CHOSEN" commercial and tune in June 2nd to see how you and your crew can be chosen to live like a pro.

Choose the Nike 6.0 page for your country to get started:

Nike 6.0 Surf USA & Canada
Nike 6.0 BMX USA & Canada
Nike 6.0 Snow USA & Canada

Nike 6.0 Surf Australia

Nike 6.0 Snow Belgium

Nike 6.0 Surf Brasil

Nike 6.0 Surf Deutsch
Nike 6.0 Snow Deutsch

Nike 6.0 Snow Finland

Nike 6.0 Surf France
Nike 6.0 Snow France

Nike 6.0 Surf Italy
Nike 6.0 Snow Italy

Nike 6.0 Snow Nederland

Nike 6.0 Snow Norway

Nike 6.0 Surf Spain
Nike 6.0 Snow Spain

Nike 6.0 Snow Sweden

Nike 6.0 Surf UK
Nike 6.0 BMX UK
Nike 6.0 Snow UK

Leave a Message: Premiering 5/19/11

Gronamo — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:13:48 GMT

Leave a Message is a true testament of just how much this generation of surfers have changed their sport. This is a performance surf film, with an emphasis on performance. But beyond the groundbreaking aerials and long barrels is a message that transcends well beyond the lineup: they enjoy what they do and do it to the fullest. Unintentionally, they wrote a new script for women's surfing. Deliberately, they've left their message.

Now you have the chance to be the first person to see this jaw-dropping film for the first time as it premieres on our Surf Facebook page. The film will be available for viewing for 24 hours, starting at 8:30 pm PT on Thursday, May 19. It will then be available here to view and download for free on Tuesday, May 24.

'Rissa Takes Rio Pro

Gronamo — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:56:00 GMT

Carissa Moore was 11 years old when people started to catch on that she’d be something. At Haleiwa that winter she’d taken out Rochelle Ballard and a number of other top-ranked women. The previous summer she’d made the finals at NSSA Nationals…in the boys division. She was going places. “People don’t understand how good she’s going to be,” noted her father shortly after her North Shore breakout. Throughout the surf world the consensus was the same, Carissa was the future of women’s surfing, and she’d be shattering some gender barriers along the way.

Seven years later, Carissa is on the verge of running away with her first ASP World Title. After finishing third in the world in 2010, an effort that earned her Rookie of the Year honors, Carissa’s graduated from high school, placed her focus squarely on her surfing, and in a word, has dominated.

Thus far in 2011 she’s made the finals of all five events, and won three of them. She’s eliminated reigning four-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore from contending for a fifth title this year. And with two events to go, the only person standing between her and her destiny is rival Sally Fitzgibbons.

“She got me in both our finals so far this year,” noted Carissa after besting Sally in the finals in Rio over the weekend. “I wasn’t nervous before my heat, but in the back of my mind I was thinking, ‘I’ve gotta do something about this.’ It’s a friendly rivalry. We push each other in the water, but out of it we’re really good friends.”

What’s scary is, as the sports cliché goes, Carissa has her entire career ahead of her…and she knows that.

“I’m not feeling any pressure,” she says. “Of course, I’ve thought about it all. But you can’t get ahead of yourself.”

MIGUEL PUPO WINS NIKE 6.0 LOWERS PRO

Gronamo — Sun, 08 May 2011 02:56:47 GMT

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 7, 2011 – Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, claimed the ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro over local standout Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, at Lower Trestles at San Clemente’s San Onofre State Beach in a close Final of 13.63 to 13.57 today. Also clinching a victory was Hawaiian Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI), 17, who won the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior.

In addition to the $40,000 prize check and 14-carat solid gold trophy worth $30,000, Pupo earned 6,500 valuable points towards his ASP World Ranking, which helps his campaign towards qualification for the elite ASP World Tour. Gudauskas’ runner-up finish earned him $20,000 and 5,200 points.

Pupo, who was trailing Gudauskas throughout the first half of the Final, got the best of a crucial exchange by taking the heat’s highest single-wave score of an 8.33 for a steep left that offered several turns which the talented Brazilian completed with an air-reverse on the inside. Pupo found a back up score of a 5.30 on his last wave to secure the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro victory.

“I’m just so happy to win this event and I’m sorry that I took out the town’s local guy,” Pupo said. “I knew there was going to be a Brazilian in the Final. I was just trying to be that Brazilian and I can’t believe I won. I’m just so happy. I brought my father here and it’s the first time he’s gone to a contest with me and things just went my way.”

Miguel Pupo tasting the win...and the gold

The progressive Brazilian, who was sitting in 42 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, will catapult up the standings with the win and substantially increase his chances of achieving his dream of qualifying for the elite ASP World Tour.

“I was thinking just about the points when I first got here, and this is great to win this event going into the next PRIME in Brazil,” Pupo said. “It’s my dream to make the World Tour and these points will help.”

Gudauskas, who was in need of a 6.50 to overtake Pupo for the victory, caught a last-minute wave in the Final on a lefthander and earned a 6.07, to nearly overtake Pupo for the win in front of his hometown crowd.

“Miguel ripped and it makes it exciting when it’s a close Final,” Gudauskas said. “Congratulations to him, it’s been a fun week.”

Gudauskas, who had just returned to the water after six weeks from an ankle injury, entered the event with no expectations and surprised by the result.

“This week has just been classic,” Gudauskas said. “It has been a blur. I am just coming off of an ankle injury and wasn’t expecting anything and I just started making heats and then I was in the final.”

Keanu Asing struggled to find a rhythm in the action packed Oakley Pro Junior Final against defending ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), 19, current ASP North America Pro Junior Series leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, and 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19. However, he locked into a left just before the buzzer, linking a series of critical backside turns for an 8-point ride which proved enough to take the Oakley Pro Junior victory, $5,000 paycheck and 2000 ASP points. The Oakley Pro Junior’s ASP 5-Star status offered the most points on offer towards surfers’ campaigns towards qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.

Keanu Asing taking in his victory

“I don’t really know, I was so down in that Final and was just trying to put on a good performance because there are a lot of people on the beach,” Asing said. “I got that one set and got an 8. I needed a 4 and was hoping I would get a wave and as I was paddling I asked Nat (Young) which wave he was going to go and he said he wasn’t going. I’m just glad I got that little wave at a clutch time in the heat, Mother Nature and God gave that one to me.”

Asing, who now sits at No. 2 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series rankings, was quick to admit that the prestigious Oakley Pro Junior marked a pinnacle moment in his budding career.

“This is huge, to win this big event. It’s a 5-Star, it’s one of the biggest wins of my career for sure,” Asing said. “I’m at a loss for words right now, I’m just so excited and so happy.”

Caio Ibelli earned $1,000 for winning Most Valuable Performance for a maneuver he executed earlier in the competition. Each day, three surfers were nominated and voted on online. Ibilli secured the final win over Dane Reynolds, Kolohe Andino and Miguel Pupo.

Re-broadcasts of Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior action will be televised in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s Channel 250 and 1250HD, as well as, Time Warner Cable’s Los Angeles (Channel 101), San Diego (Channel 411) and Desert Cities (Channel 111) markets.

For Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro highlights, visit nike6lowerspro.com and for Oakley Pro Junior, visit oakleyprojunior.com.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of sponsors. A special thank you goes out to presenting sponsors Nike 6.0 and Oakley, co-sponsors Red Bull and Sierra Nevada, media sponsor SURFER Magazine (Surfermag.com) and official forecaster Surfline.com.

Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Final Results:

1 – Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.63

2 – Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.57

Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Semifinals Results:

Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.03 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.33

Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 16.70 def. Thiago Camarao (BRA) 12.67

Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Quarterfinals Results:

Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 16.37 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 11.76

Heat 2: Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.60 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.33

Heat 3: Thiago Camarao (BRA) 14.50 def. Junior Faria (BRA) 11.47

Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.24 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.93

Oakley Pro Junior Final Results:

1 – Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.70

2 – Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.43

3 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.30

4 – Nat Young (USA) 11.53

Oakley Pro Junior Semifinals Results:

Heat 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.00, Jack Freestone (USA) 9.73, Dylan Goodale (HAW) 9.37

Heat 2: Nat Young (USA) 14.77, Keanu Asing (HAW) 11.47, Conner Coffin (USA) 10.73, Andrew Doheny (USA) 9.14

QUARTERS DECIDED FOR NIKE 6.0 LOWERS PRO, SEMIS FOR OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR

Gronamo — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:54:37 GMT

The ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro saw the Quarterfinalists decided in clean one-to-three foot waves at the iconic cobblestone pointbreak of Lower Trestles at San Onofre State Beach with two San Clemente locals and six Brazilians still in contention for this year’s title, $40,000 first-place payout and 14-karate gold spike valued at $30,000.

Also running today was Round 1 and the Quarterfinals of the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior, which saw the nation’s finest up-and-coming talent battle a handful of top international surfers. Stop No. 7 of 9 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior is the highest rated event on thisyear’s regional series, offering the most points towards surfers’ qualification campaigns for the elite ASP World Junior Tour and a $25,000 prize purse.

Thiago Camarao (BRA), 22, launched back to form after a sluggish three-man Round of 12 heat to ignite the day’s top scores with a deadly forehand attack on several Lowers right-handers. The progressive Brazilian wasted little time in his campaign against fellow countryman Willian Cardoso (BRA), 25, by dropping a 7.60 and a 9.33 on his first two rides to secure his position in the Quarterfinals.

“I just did the same thing I’ve been doing and just not over-think the heats,” Camarao said. “I went out there for a surf and the water was so cold. I made the mistake of wearing the wrong suit in my last heat, so I had to change it for this one.”

Camarao will face fellow Brazilian Junior Faria (BRA), 24, in the Quarterfinals.

Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, returned to the three-man Round of 12 in strong form by taking a heat victory over ASP Dream Tour campaigner C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, and dangerous up-and-comer Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, with powerful backhand surfing on the right-handers on offer at Lowers.

“There was so much going on and nothing was being said at the end of the heat,” Gudauskas said. “For the last five minutes I was in panic mode because I knew Gabriel had that good wave with two airs on it and C.J. got a good right. I was just praying that the momentum wasn’t going to shift out there. I got lucky. I swear I don’t know what I’m doing and these rights come to me.”

The San Clemente powerhouse was happy to avoid surfing in the man-on-man elimination Round of 12 to advance into the Quarterfinals and took a serious approach to the three-man non-elimination round.

“These ones are a great opportunity,” Gudauskas said. “It’s not like it’s life or death, but it’s a great opportunity to bypass that fifth round and go into the Quarters where there are a lot more points. I took it super seriously because I know Gabriel and C.J. are super gnarly and we’re all goofy-foot.”

Gudauskas will face off against Heitor Alves (BRA), 29, in the Quarterfinals.

Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, took a last-minute victory over fellow Brazilian Thiago Camarao (BRA), and American charger Timmy Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA), 28, in the three-man, non-elimination Round of 12. With only minutes remaining in the heat, the innovative Brazilian launched two airs on a steep Lowers lefthander to notch a 9.10 to overtake Reyes for the lead and secure his position in the Quarterfinals.

“I didn’t really think about it, I was just trying to go big,” Pupo said. “I did that first air and then another good section came so I went for another one and I made it, so I’m happy. I love Lowers. When anyone asks me what the best wave in the world is, I say Trestles. The wave is perfect and I enjoy my time here with the good surf and fun on the beach.”

Pupo will battle fellow Brazilian Jadson Andre (BRA), 21, in their Quarterfinalsmatch up.

Heitor Alves, current No. 22 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, was dominant in the men’s ASP PRIME and Star series events last year and the fit Brazilian moved one step closer to the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Final by defeating C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, in the Round of 12 to advance into the Quarterfinals.

“I was on the World Tour for two years before this year and I learned a lot,” Alves said. “Right now, I have a result and I’m on the World Tour again. I learned a lot last year and I gained a lot of experience in the PRIMES and 6-Stars last year and I feel good.”

Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, who is the youngest Quarterfinalist in the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, was equally impressive in his Oakley Pro Junior Quarterfinals heat today. The innovative regular-footer took top honors over an impressive list of names including defending ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), 19, and defending regional champion Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 17.

“Evan is one of my best friends, so I wish he got through and Jack (Freestone) has been ripping so it was a fun heat,” Andino said. “It was the first time the three of us have surfed against each other. Jack beat me in Bali. He was getting barreled and I was sitting out on the shoulder, so it’s good to get one back on him here.”

The young local talent is the only surfer still in contention for both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior titles, but remained humble in his intentions to win both events.

“I’m not thinking about that at all right now,” Andino said. “I’m just taking it one heat at a time and I’m happy that I’ve made it this far.”

Camarao, Guduaskas and Pupo all executed maneuvers worthy of Most Valuable Performance (MVP) status during the day. A video clip of each will be available to view online at nike6lowerspro.com/mvp-bracket/mvp-most-valuable-performance/ <http://www.nike6lowerspro.com/mvp-bracket/mvp-most-valuable-performance/> . Tomorrow, the surfer with the most Facebook “likes” will earn MVP status and the gold MVP jersey for the day. An MVP will be awarded each day; Dane Reynolds earned the title on day one, Caio Ibilli for day two and Kolohe Andino for day three. Each daily winner will go into a finalvote for a chance at $1,000 for the overall win.

Both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior champions will be crowned tomorrow and the day’s action will be webcast LIVE with live video coverage and scoring.

The Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro is being televised live in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s Channel 250 and 1250HD, and in Time Warner Cable’s Los Angeles (Channel 101), San Diego (Channel 411) and Desert Cities (Channel 111) markets. Additionally, FUEL TV will broadcast live throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

For more information about the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, visit nike6lowerspro.com <http://nike6lowerspro.com> . For more about the Oakley Pro Junior, visit oakleyprojunior.com. <http://www.oakleyprojunior.com>