Hawaii, surf highlights

Alexandre Ferreira on his first time surfing Pipeline ready to face the bomb.
There is an isolated island in the middle of nowhere, far from everything else, but always glowing in every surfer’s imaginary. This island has even a more special meaning for Lightning Bolt, since it was here that our story began, under the Pipeline Masters’ guidance, almost 40 years ago.
Nicolas Pinot, our french sales rep was the other hero of the day. 
Lightning Bolt’s affirmation today is still inseparable from this island and that was why, last January, our renewed BOLT TEAM set its horizons to the place where it all started, but also to one of the most blessed places for the surf practise – Hawaii.
Pedro Soares, the portuguese team rider, also tasting the Pipeline drops for the first time
And Hawaii played the game and welcomed us with first-class waves, during one of the best winter seasons of the last years.
Txaber Trojaola, the spanish rider flying in Haleiwa
Again Alexandre Ferreira, now on a perfect barrel ride in Pipeline
Jeremy “Gege” Brasset on a beautiful turn in Haleiwa
Jord “Flying Dutchman” Fortmann not only shaped with Rory Russell.
 
David Raimundo on a very accented bottom turn in Pipeline.
It was a surf trip full of memories and emotions, definitely the most special one for those who love Lightning Bolt like we do.
More photos on our Flickr photo gallery. Just click here

Free surf in Coxos, Ericeira

Miguel Ruivo our local team rider searching for the barrel

Teresa Abraços, one of the most experienced surfers in Portugal, here testing her backside.

Alexandre Ferreira aka Xaninho, early in the morning for one more training session.

Jord Fortmann visited Portugal for the first time on a surftrip,but he managed to show his style pretty well.

Jord Fortmann again, now on very radical bottom turn

Miguel Ruivo is a big wave rider specialist, but even in smaller conditions he gets  great turns.

Again Miguel Ruivo on a beatiful turn.
So simple as four surfers joining together to enjoy a relaxed and fun surf session in Ericeira, Portugal.
Jord Fortmann, our dutch team rider is on a surftrip in Portugal and he met Miguel Ruivo, Alexandre Ferreira and Teresa Abraços to surf for the first time in Coxos.
Photos: André Carvalho
Please click here to see all the surf session photos at our Flickr gallery

Surftrip in Hawaii – the official video – Part II

Today we present you the second part of the video in Hawaii, featuring the european team riders surfing the North Shore.
Team Riders: Alexandre "Xaninho" Ferreira, David Raimundo,Jeremy Brasset, Jord Fortmann, Nicolas Pinot, Pedro Soares, Txaber Trojaola.
Where: Pipeline, Haleiwa, Puena Point

Txaber Trojaola, our basque team rider was also there and tells us a bit more about Haleiwa:
This was your first surf trip with Lightning Bolt. What kind of expectations did you have?
Everything was new for me so I really had no expectations. I just wanted to get to know the rest of the team better, surf with them as a team, have fun, catch good waves, good vibes and hopefully some good photos too.
But this was not your first time in Hawaii?
It was my third visit to Hawaii, but I’d never interacted so closely with the Hawaiian community like we did this time! I also had the chance to surf new spots – even some secret spots.
You surfed in Haleiwa a couple of days, why?
We went there a few times because it had smaller crowd so we could have more relaxed, fun and laidback sessions. The waves were not as big and there was less competition than at Pipeline.
How are the waves in Haleiwa in comparison to the classic spots of Pipeline and Sunset?
It’s a different wave, completely different. It’s a very powerful right, with a strong swell, but surprisingly manoeuvrable and once in a while you get a tube.
With what kind of wind and swell conditions works better there?
With no wind or south wind and north swell. It needs a big swell to work.
You’ve surfed Pipeline, Sunset and other spots. Which one suits you best?
I love Sunset and I think Pipeline could also be a good wave for me, but I need to know it better and get more confident there. Usually, there’s a big crowd of people who’ve been surfing there their entire lives, which can be intimidating if you don’t feel 100% prepared.
Did the locals give you a hard time?
I never got into any trouble there, but the competition for waves is always tough and everyone’s position is made pretty clear. I like being relaxed in the water, waiting for my moment and for my wave. That’s why there’s nothing like surfing just with friends…
The Bolt Team was a true European melting pot. How was it to be together with surfers from Portugal, France and Holland?
It was great – everyone is so nice and it was really fun to spend time with them in and out the water.

Surftrip in Hawaii – the official video – Part I

The Bolt europe team adventure surfing the North Shore
Team Riders: Alexandre "Xaninho" Ferreira, David Raimundo,Jeremy Brasset, Jord Fortmann, Nicolas Pinot, Pedro Soares, Txaber Trojaola.
Where: Pipeline, Haleiwa, Puena Point.
Also some making of moments of our Spring Summer 10 lookbook, featuring our gorgeous models Dominique Fletcher and Brooke.

Alexandre “Xaninho” Ferreira made some big barrels in Pipeline, but it was his first time there. We asked him about his experience:

You were especially anxious about surfing the mythic Pipeline wave. How did you feel when you got there?
I was very happy to be able to fulfil another dream. As a surfer, this meant a lot to me. Pipeline is an amazing wave… even the bravest shiver when looking at it. In fact, I studied the wave during three days, because it was so big that I knew I could not afford making any mistakes.

Not many surf Pipeline for the first time when it’s 4mts high. What was on your mind when you went in? Were you afraid?
Yes, I knew once I went in there was no coming back without surfing, but the waves were so beautiful… The forecast was 10 to 12’, the tubes were perfect, there was no wind and there were about 20 surfers in the water. I had to go in! So I was focussed on two things: riding a tube and praying not to die.

A couple of minutes after going in, you came out scoring one of the biggest waves of the day. How was it?
After listening to many piece of advice and to the incredible stories of our local mentors, Rory Russell and Jonathan Paskowitz, I knew I had to be “away from the pack”, and that meant being to be as far-off as I could on the outside or on the waves’ edges. And the leftovers were not for me, so I positioned myself as close to the peak as possible and, as a true gift, my first wave was a dream.

What about the crowd here? Is it the nightmare we read everywhere?
Yes, there’s a lot of crowd since it’s a global destination and it’s on the itinerary of every surfer, for being one of the best. Nevertheless, January was a good time of the year to be there, after the season’s competitive stress.

Which surfboards did you take with you? Did you make the right choice?
I think I made the most reasonable decision by taking 2 small surfboards with me and buying the others there, which are quite different.

Now that you know what it takes to be a Pipeline Master, which are necessary ingredients to be one?
To be a Pipeline master you have to be physically very well prepared and you have to respect the sea. The rest is up to the wave. Pipe takes care of you.

You realise that the idea of respecting the ocean carries a greater dimension here. Were you more careful about sea conditions than usual?
Absolutely! It was very important for me to spend a couple of days evaluating the sea conditions. Without that kind of knowledge, I would have been in real trouble.

When are you thinking of going back to the North Shore?
I hope to be there by the time that Pipeline Masters begins in December and for the WQS events in the beginning of January.

Bolt Team 2010

 
Top Bottom, left to right: Jord “Flying Dutchman” Fortmann, Txaber Trojaola, Miguel Ximenez, Pedro Soares, David Raimundo, Gege Brasset, Teresa Abraços, Léa Mengual, Alexandre “Madxano” Ferreira, Justin Delanne, Maria Abecasis, João Kopke, Nuande “Pekel” Silva, Hadrien Ballion, Ratus Fari, Pumas, Bruno Rodrigues, Joel “Papu” Pereira.

We are very stoked to present the official Bolt Team for 2010 in Europe.
The main novelties are the first ever team riders in France, Spain and Holland, as the brand is now expanding its business in several European countries.
In France, we welcome Jeremy Brasset, Justin Delanne, Hadrien Ballion and Léa Mengual.
In Spain, from the Basque Country, pro-surfer and WQS athlete Txaber Trojaola is our first ever Spanish surfer.
In Holland, Jord “Flying Dutchman” Fortmann, the surf, longboard and snowboard instructor, but also a great free surfer, will hold the Bolt in the cold Dutch waters.
In Portugal, we highlight Teresa Abraços, national champion in 1996, and now a very respected and admired free surfer. She surfs since 1981 and, nowadays, her main objective is to use surf as a strong environmental keeper, but also to spread the sport in the poor coutries.

Hawaii – Return to the source – First Surf

The first day of surf in Pipeline was great with 10-12 feet, but from that you’ll only see photos later. We leave you now with a smaller session in Pipeline, Sunset and Haleiwa.

 Small day in Pipe, but Alexandre Ferreira aka “Mad Xano” got to experience the tube feeling.

 
Txaber Trojaola, our basque rider trying to find way to get in the tube.




Mad Xano dropping in.


Joshua Paskowitz at work in Pipe.

 
Right after coming Indonesia, Pedro Soares didn’t stop and ruled Sunset Beach


Haleiwa pre-session: Left to Right: David Raimundo, Jord Fortman on the wax and the Super model Nicolas Pinot.
 
 
Gege Brasset on his first day at Haleiwa.

 
Jord “Fart”mann on his way to start in Haleiwa

Hawaii-Return to the Source-First Day

Finally we had time to post the first day photos. As the waves are so good, we still didn’t have time to spend in the internet. Soon, the first surf shots. Today, the team is surfing at Sunset Beach that is 15-20 feet.
THE CREW Left to right clockwise: Nicolas Pinot, Joshua Paskowitz, Paulo Couto, Kara Smith, Dominique, Jord Fortmann, Gege Brasset, Txaber Trojaola, David Raimundo, Dustin Franks, Alexandre “MadXano” Ferreira.
THE HOUSE
 THE PARTY
 Left to right clockwise: Margarida, Maria João, Nicolas Pinot, Paulo Machado, Jonathan Paskowitz, Dustin Franks, Nick Walker, Kara, Eric

FIRST SPOT-HYKILAY
 
SECOND SPOT-PIPELINE
 

Team riders chase the last wildcard for the Rip Curl Pro Search

Next Sunday, 18th October, sixteen portuguese surfers will dispute the trials to the last entry in Rip Curl Pro Search, Supertubos, Peniche. Among them, there are three Lightning Bolt team riders: Alexandre “Xaninho” Ferreira, Miguel Ximenez and the team manager David Raimundo.
The other surfers they will face are: David Luis, Edgar Nozes, Nuno Silva, António Ribeiro, João Guedes, Vasco Ribeiro, Frederico Morais, César Rosa, Acácio Grandela, Ruben Gonzalez, Justin Mujica, Eduardo Fernandes and João Antunes. The trials will happen during the morning, starting in the quarter-finals and with four men heats. This is a great opportunity for our Portuguese team riders, as they can show their talent all over the world. Check this blog to keep upadated.

The super hiper mega powerful Alexandre Ferreira
David Raimundo, the team manager surfing in Nicaragua
Miguel Ximenez waiting for the tube, Nicaragua

Team Riders are blasting at Eurosurf 2009

The first two days of competition were just perfect for all Lightning Bolt team riders running Eurosurf 2009.

Despite the tough conditions with small waves, Alexandre Ferreira and Miguel Ximenez (surf open contest) already advanced two rounds and probably they are today running the third round.

Also in the surf senior contest, David Raimundo made the best score of the first round heats, as he got a 15,67 leaving behind John McCarthy and Erwin Duin.
In the surf ladies contest, our youngest team rider there, made it to the second round also with the first place in the first round.
Stay tuned at http://www.eurosurfing.org/eurosurf/Alexandre "Xaninho" Ferreira placed first both in round 1 and round 2 heats
photo: David Ferguson

Team Riders at Eurosurf 2009

From 26th September to 4th October, our team riders Alexandre Ferreira, Miguel Ximenez, David Raimundo and Maria Abecasis will be between England and France in Jersey (Channel Islands) to run for the Portuguese team at Eurosurf 2009.
Alexandre Ferreira and Miguel Ximenez will surf the surf open challenge, David Raimundo, our European team manager will run the senior surf challenge and Maria Abecasis is going to surf the girls contest.

The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday 26th Sept starting with a Parade leaving AIB House, The Esplanade, at 4.45pm accompanied by the Ashiki Drum band, down towards Charring Cross, down King street and into Library Place. Down Mulcaster Street and into Liberation square for the ceremony. ETA approx 5.05pm. ceremony starts 5.15pm.

Check out the event’s website.

Miguel Ximenez and Alexandre Ferreira run Cordoama Pro WQS

Between 9 and 12 July, the 18th WQS event (4th European) will take place in Cordoama beach in Algarve, Portugal.
Miguel Ximenez and Alexandre Ferreira are the team riders in charge to carry Lightning Bolt to a good result.
We hope that they can show their real surf level and can improve their last results.

Click in the promo image to visit the event’s official website

Alexandre Ferreira aka Xaninho playing a sort of AC/DC-T.N.T hit

In Sagres, Portugal, the Lightning Bolt team rider Alexandre Ferreira decides to show his musical ability. Forgive us AC/DC.

Lightning Bolt team riders go to Vendée Surf Pro

The Protest Vendée Pro, an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 4-Star Men's event, will start April 6 at La Sauzaie on the West coast of France kicking off the 2009 ASP European Tour. La Sauzaie, one of the best reefs of France renowned to deliver some consistent and hollow waves when the surf reaches the three to four foot (1 to 1.2 meter) range, will welcome some of the world’s best surfers competing for the valuable 1500 ratings' points and US$ 85 000 prizepurse on offer.

Lightning Bolt Team Riders, both portuguese Alexandre Ferreira and Miguel Ximenez will try to improve their last season’s result. Stay tunned at http://www.aspeurope.com/