| COORDINATES: 14º 34' S, 39º 03' W
BAGGAGE CLAIM: Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
TRANSPORT: Straight into Rio folks - bang! Let the good times begin.
ATTITUDE: Arguably one of the premiere tourist destinations in the world, Brazil's Rio de Janeiro is the epicenter of culture and action for the burgeoning nation. Oh and we did we mention they are a nation of surfing fanatics! It's only fitting now that Rio will play host to the ASP Top 17 as they battle is out for the Billabong Girls Pro Rio. Leave a board for the kids and you'll have an army of fans the following year.
THE WAVE: The playful beachbreaks of Macumba Beach will offer punchy canvasses for the ASP Top 17 to flex their competitive fangs at and take women's surfing to new heights. The barrels can also turn on so don't be surprised if the girls start logging some tube time.
PERKS: Clean, green punchy tubes, an established surf scene, and the greatest nightlife in the world. Period. Rio goes head to head with France for the title of 'craziest stop on tour'.
PERILS: Overcrowding. Barra de Tijuca is the central location for surfers in the area, and the Brazilians are frothers. Don't be surprised if you wait around for waves. Watch out for the damn body boarders too. If they get in your way… Run 'em down. Actually don't. You might get shot. (Just kidding! Despite some negative press, Brazils beaches are just as safe as OZ, the U.S and Europe)
APRES SURF: Brazilians are renowned for their nightlife, spend some time in Brazil and you'll know why. Things don't get well and truly underway until the early hours of the morning. Don't forget your dancing shoes either…you'll need them.
LOCAL LIBATION: Caparinhas are oh so amazing but oh so deadly. Order them with vodka instead of cacacha (an alcohol derived from sugar cane) if you're looking to avoid an after-party headache. If you do not heed this warning, don't stress. Just go on the hunt for 'Acai', the next morning. This tasty treat is both refreshing and energetic, guaranteed to get the engine running in the morning.
EAT AT: There's plenty of yummy all you can eat pizza joints and the creperia Tio Gu Café is also a hit with the surfer girls. Whether that's because of the crepes or the cute wait staff is yet to be determined.
CAFFEINATE AT: Your pousada in the morning. Brazil brews a dark cuppa… and cane their own sugar. Delicious.
ASP WOMEN'S WORLD TOUR HISTORY: The ASP's finest females first frolicked in Itacare in 2006 and 2007. 2009 will be the second year the Billabong Girls Pro will held in Rio de Janeiro.
NOTABLE: Layne Beachley won the inaugural Billabong Pro Brazil (her first win after a two year hiatus from victory) to take the ratings lead off Melanie Redman-Carr in '06. A few months later she nabbed world title No. 7.
PAST EVENT CHAMPIONS:
2008: Melanie Bartels (HAW)
2007: Samantha Cornish (AUS)
2006: Layne Beachley (AUS) |
