Oi Rio Pro - 2015

Aerial master and current world number 4 Julian Wilson putting on a show at last years Rio Pro

Into the eye of the Brazilian storm we go for stop number 4 of the World Surf League, Samsung Galaxy, World Championship Tour.   With the last few weeks off to rest after the Australian leg of the tour the top 34 descend on Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Obvious favourites for this event are local front runners Adriano De Souza (BRA) and beach break/aerial specialist Filipe Toledo (BRA). The Brazilian storm didn’t fare to well last year at their local break with only 1 surfer making it into round 5, Adriano De Souza. You can bet your bottom dollar that won’t be the case this year. Adriano, Mick, Filipe and Julian will all be gunning for the gold leaders jersey.

Last years winner Michel Bourez (PYF) has pulled out of the event with a broken hand. He took what he recalls as “One of the worst wipeout I’ve ever had at #teahupoo!!” You can see that carnage on Michel’s instagram page.  Michel will be out of the water for a minimum of 6 weeks.  It’s unknown who will take his place at this stage

On the women’s side of things, make sure you keep a close eye on Carissa Moore (HAW) as she’ll look to continue her dream run with another finals finish to try and take a firm strangle hold on the ratings lead. Six time and current world champ, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) is still out with a fractured knee. Keely Andrew (AUS) will be taking her place. Local women’s favourite Silvana Lima (BRA) will be out for revenge to keep here title campaign alive after a round 4 finish in West Aus.

Expect to see it all in Brazil this year. Barrels, turns and some spectacular airs! The event window will run from the 11th of May through to the 22nd of May.

With no official forecast out just yet, I’ll post one as soon at it becomes available.

If you’re having trouble picking your fantasy surf team for Rio, check out the guys at surf-stats.com they have crunched all the numbers to make picking just that little bit easier.

Follow all the action live on the WSL website

2015 Oi Rio Pro 2015 Official Trailer

Oi Rio Pro Mens Round 1 Match Up’s

Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA), Dusty Payne (HAW)

Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Brett Simpson (USA)

Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Riccardo Christie (NZL)

Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Wiggolly Dantes (BRA), CJ Hobgood (USA)

Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Freddy Patacchia (HAW), TBD

Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Italo Ferreira (BRA), TBD

Heat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS), Sebastian Zeitz (HAW), Keanu Asing (HAW)

Heat 8: Jordy Smith (ZYF), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Glenn Hall (IRL)

Heat 9: Nat Young (USA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Adam Melling (AUS)

Heat 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Matt Banting (AUS)

Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS), MIchel Bourez (PYF), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)

Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Owen Wright (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS)

Oi Rio Pro Women’s Round 1 Match Up’s

Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA), Bianca Buitendag (ZYF), Alessa Quizon (HAW)

Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Johanne Defay (FRA), Laura Enever (AUS)

Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Dimity Stoyle (AUS), TBD

Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS), Coco Ho, (HAW), Keely Andrew (AUS)

Heat 5: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Silvana Lima (BRA), Sage Erikson (USA)

Heat 6: Malia Manuel (HAW), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)

As promised, here is the official surf line forecast for the Oi Rio Pro. Things are looking good for the opening day, but dropping off later on in the week.

Brief Overview: Fun-sized S swell to open the contest waiting period on Monday. Potential for building surf but deteriorating conditions for Tuesday and into Wednesday. Gradually easing surf with possibly better winds and conditions into the second half of the week. Longer range looking slower at this point.

Swell/Surf Outlook
The opening day of the event window, Monday the 11th, looks like it will offer a fun-sized S swell in the chest to head high range (4-5’ faces) with the surf holding basically steady through the day. This swell, generated by a fetch around 1500 miles from Rio, will actually peak prior to the contest waiting period over the weekend but will offer plenty of waves on Monday. Conditions are looking favorable during the morning also with light offshore winds. At this point it does look like we will see a seabreeze come up during the late morning and afternoon which will add more bump/chop to the surf over the second half of the week.

Mens Round 1 is live!! Waves look great!

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2015/mct/1234/oi-rio-pro

Highlights from day one:

Kelly absolutely dominated with a 9.77 and 9.50. Six Brazilian heat winners too…good chance we’ll see a few locals again in the finals. Good conditions as well, I seem to remember last year was pretty poor. Hopefully it keeps up.

Wow, some great surfing on day one!

Quite a few red jersey upsets in Round 1! Kelly dominated for sure. Hopefully he gets a finals result. I’m sure everyone would love to see him in the title race!

Giants fall in Mens round 2 of the Oi Rio Pro, Joel Parkinson does one of the best airs of his career and John John Florence pulls into what looks like Pipeline. All this and more in day 2 highlights.

Mens Round 2 Highlights

Mens Round 3 is live!! John John Florence and Adam Melling in Heat 1!!

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2015/mct/1234/oi-rio-pro

More major upsets from rounds 3, 4 and 5 in Rio today!! Kelly, John John, Adriano and MF all bow out!

High-Fliers Elminate Champs

Finals days is alive and kicking!! http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2015/wct/1233/oi-rio-womens-pro?roundId=5463