2014 RIO WCT

Since we were following Mason Ho around Southern California during the event we’ll let someone who was actually there tell you about it. Here’s …Lost co-founder and shaper Matt “Mayhem” Biolos’ take on the contest via his Instagram – @mayhemb3_mattbiolos. Photos from ASPWORLDTOUR.COM

Billabong Pro Rio Wrap-up. Yesterday was a marathon. The surf was solid, unruly and unpredictable… but the world’s best tamed it. Kelly Slater got the ride of the event, if not the season, at 7:00 AM, and it did not stop until about 11 hours later. Kolohe had last second air drop/pig-dog heroics to win his R5 heat against Logie, out backside snapped Bede in a high performance QF, then stomped a nuts air into flats buzzer beater against King Kelly to earn a spot in the final. Taj had a dream heat in his QF, smoothly sailing through a handful of amazing backside barrels. His semi against Bourez turned sour, and after a moment of myself thinking it could be a Kolohe/Taj, all Mayhem final, the dream scenario did not happen. Coco Ho ripped all week but came up short in her QF. Carissa and Tyler both dominated their quarter-finals. ‘Rissa executing textbook pig-dog tube rides and B-Side blasts, Ty attacking the overhead rights with abandon. Tyler came up short in her semi but Carissa did not. Her surfing in the semis could win some men’s heats. Neither Riss or Kolohe got the waves to properly perform in their finals, and both took home second place podiums. Overall, an inspiring day of competition surfing and for me… a great week of learning and studying the demands these athletes have from their equipment. I am so inspired to deliver. Best of all – one hell of a career best, break out performance for Kolohe Andino. Thanks to all the athletes and event organizers, and the strikingly beautiful city of Rio, for the hospitality and good times. And congratulations to Sally and Michel, the champs.

Kolohe was riding a Driver with extra tail kick at the back fin and less area in the nose and tail. Kinda calling it the “Hyper-Driver”.

Kolohe Andino