Jadson Andre
Birthdate: March 13, 1990
Hometown: Natal City, Brazil
Jadson Andre surprised everyone during his rookie year on the World Tour. His critics (of which there were no shortage) pointed to his unrefined style, his lack of power, and his non-existent backhand attack. But in 2010 he proved that he is far more than that. His backhand was fluid and aggressive in places like Snapper and J-Bay and he didn’t back down at Teahupoo or Pipeline either. That being said, if there’s a wave that plays to Jadson’s strong suits more than the ramps at Lowers, we haven’t heard about it. If the lefts are running, expect Jadson to put on a clinic.
Michel Bourez
Birthdate: December 30, 1985
Hometown: Mataiea, Tahiti
Hailing from the tube-rich island of Tahiti, it’d be easy to pigeonhole Michel Bourez as a surfer who’s based his career on barrel-riding alone. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, Michel has proven himself in gaping barrels, but the humble Tahitian has also shown the world that his grip on technical surfing is as strong as anyone’s. Massive airs, lightning-quick whips, and a solid mastery of rail surfing, Michel can do it all.
Adrian Buchan
Birthdate: September 21, 1982
Hometown: Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia In the surf world, they don’t come more humble and well spoken than Australia’s Adrian “Ace” Buchan. But don’t let his good nature on terra firma fool you, Ace is as ferocious of a competitor as anyone and has proven himself to be downright lethal in a heat. A stalwart force on the World Tour—in 2008, he bested Slater in the finals at Quik Pro in France and has been consistently rated in the top 10—Ace has forged himself a reputation as a master tactician that simply cannot be unnerved in a heat. In an array of conditions, the goofyfoot has proven himself equally adept on both his forehand and backhand. Make no mistake, when Ace hits the water for the Lowers Pro, he’ll be doing so with one thing on his mind: winning.
Chris Davidson
Birthdate: December 9, 1976
Hometown: New South Wales, Australia
No stranger to the singlet, Chris “Dave-O” Davidson first made his debut on the World Tour in 1999. Throughout his career, Dave-O has tasted the sweet thrill of being at the top of the game as well as the bitter burn of failing to requalify. But perhaps what is most remarkable about Dave-O is that the man simply refuses to quit. Like a leathery boxer, Dave-O should never be counted out and has proven himself most dangerous when he’s up against the ropes. To boot, Dave-O has also managed to progress his surfing with the younger generation and has found competitive success out at Lowers before. All of this makes him a very dangerous draw at Lowers.
Adriano de Souza
Birthdate: February 13, 1987
Hometown: Guaruja, Sao Paulo, Brazil
At 16 years old, Adriano de Souza became the youngest surfer ever to win an ASP World Junior Championship. So, in 2006, when he qualified for the Dream Tour, he became the guiding light for Brazil’s tireless pursuit of a world title. Now, with a squad of Brazilian upstarts following in his path, Adriano is still on the hunt for that title. Having spent a substantial amount of time in San Clemente honing his game, Adriano is no stranger to the walls and ramps of Lowers and will be a major threat at the event.
John Florence
Birthdate: October 18, 1992
Hometown: Pupukea, Hawaii
John Florence seems as old as the hills—a stalwart that’s been around forever. But in reality he’s only 18. And he’s arguably the best 18-year-old surfer in the history of the sport. If you were to compare Kelly Slater in Black and White to John’s B-roll footage from the North Shore this past winter, you’d see what we mean. Having grown up on the North Shore, Florence’s ability to navigate the heaviest North Shore lineups was a given, but the level of control, style, and poise that he exhibits has already exceeded all expectations. It’s always good to see a prophecy fulfilled, but when an 18-year-old reaches goals that most retiring pros would be thrilled to have accomplished, you know you’re looking at a surfer who will one day be considered one of the all-time greats.
Patrick Gudauskas
Birthdate: November 20, 1985
Hometown: San Clemente, California
San Clemente’s own Pat Gudauskas will be competing at the 6.0 Lowers Pro with the backing of an entire town behind him. Having grown up just a short ride away from Lowers, the fabled peak has shaped Pat into one of the most talented and dynamic surfers coming out of California today. When Pat hits the water, he’ll be equally dangerous on both his forehand and backhand. Couple his history with the break and the support of an entire town behind him, and one thing is undeniably certain: Pat Gudauskas will be a major player at the 6.0 Lowers Pro.
Gabe Kling
Birthdate: August 18, 1980
Hometown: St. Augistine, Florida
Florida’s Gabe Kling showed the world just what a steely competitor he is when he claimed top honors by winning the 6.0 Lowers Pro last year. Gabe, who’s currently competing on the World Tour, will clearly be looking to double up on his win at Lowers win he makes his way back to the lineup again this year. With a mix of smart fundamentals, look to Gabe to bleed out his competition with a steady drip of solid surfing.
Taylor Knox
Birthdate: May 15, 1971
Hometown: Carlsbad, California
2011 marks Taylor Knox’s 18th year competing on the World Tour. In that time, Taylor has cemented himself a reputation for being one of the most powerful surfers around with his rail work becoming the stuff of legends. Having honed his act in Southern California, it’s safe to say that Taylor is no stranger to the lineup at Lowers and has found varying degrees of success there in the past. With nearly two decades of experience and a wave that suits his style, Taylor’s won’t be easily dispatched at the event.
Alejo Muniz
Birthdate: February 22, 1990
Hometown: Santa Catarina, Brazil
Along with Julian Wilson, Alejo Muniz is only one of two true rookies scheduled to make their debut on the World Tour in 2011. A former Vans Triple Crown Rookie of the year, and a longtime standout internationally among the Junior ranks, the Brazilian clearly has the competitive chops in an array of conditions—from 2-foot slop to Sunset. He also has the speed, style, and aerial skills to blow up any video or photo shoot. Simply put, Muniz is one of the most exciting surfers of his generation, a fact he should prove to a wider audience at the Lowers Pro.
Fred Patacchia
Birthdate: December 15, 1981
Hometown: North Shore, Oahu
Having found himself on the winner’s podium in 2009, Fred Patacchia must be considered a favorite going into the event. As one of the more seasoned competitors in the contest with one of the most visious backhand attacks in the game, Fred will invariably be one to keep an eye on this year. If the rights at Lowers are in form, look to Patacchia’s backhand to shine.
Dusty Payne
Birthdate: December, 27, 1988
Hometown: Lahaina, Hawaii
Maui’s Dusty Payne is no stranger to success. He’s found a solid result with a semi-final finish at the 6.0 Lowers Pro before, he was the 2008 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Champion, and found himself crowned as the winner of the 2009 Kustom Air Strike. Most recently, he qualified for the World Tour in one of the most dramatic heats of the year. To be blunt, Dusty has already had a fruitful career—and he’s only just begun. Regarded for his ability to weave together a full-rail carve and a frontside air reverse, Dusty’s all-encompassing brand of surfing has come to define the modern surfer.
Brett Simpson
Birthdate: January 5, 1985
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California
California surf fans are a proud lot with a history of fervently supporting their own. As one of the Golden State’s most prominent surfers, Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson will have the backing of hundreds of fans when he takes to the lineup at Lowers. No stranger to the podium—Brett is a two-time winner of the US Open—Simpson’s silky smooth approach should see him cut through a healthy portion of the competition. If you want to see grace defined in competition, make sure you tune in for Brett’s heats.
Julian Wilson
Birthdate: November 8, 1988
Hometown: Sunshine Coast, Australia
Heralded as one of the greatest young surfers alive today, Australia’s Julian Wilson is at the tip of surfing’s progressive spear. After garnering numerous magazine covers, starring in his own biopic film, and breaking onto the World Tour within the past year, Wilson’s stock couldn’t be hotter as he moves towards San Clemente for the 6.0 Lowers Pro. Constantly redefining the limits of technical surfing, you can expect Julian to light up Lowers with an arsenal of high-speed airs and
wafts.
