In 1976, Brian Wilson, the mastermind behind The Beach Boys, was "arrested" by the Highway Patrol Surf Squad for "failing to surf and neglecting the use of state beach for surfing purposes".
Walking down Beach 90th Street in Rockaway offers a glimpse of a neighborhood in the midst of an uphill battle: windows are shuttered, lawns are littered with debris and a beach is unprotected by its boardwalk. Yet as Rockaway slowly recovers, block by block, one crucial element is back, and, according to some, better: the wave.
Under the all-seeing eye of Corcovado mountain's Christ The Redeemer statue, and deep below the Rocinha favela, which cuts an odd contrast to the wealthier districts beneath, the Billabong Pro lands soon in Brazil. Two weeks' time, in fact. It is the third world tour event this year, and though the title race is still forming, there is no such thing as an unimportant tour stop.
A collection of vintage postcards, distributed by Getty Images, offers a glimpse of life in San Francisco during the first half of the 20th century. This series covers the period from 1900 to 1930.
Marcio Freire is an original paddle in pioneer at Peahi and all around nice guy. Born in Brazil, Marcio moved to Hawaii over 10 years ago. He has had submissions in the Billabong XXl, and scored an alternate spot on the Red Bull Paddle at Peahi event. He also starred in Jaws "Changing the Game" the first paddle in at Peahi documentary.