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

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.

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
 

Massacre in Nicaragua - The Trailer

In 11 March 2009, some of the Bolt team riders, were called to Iguana Ranch in Playa Colorado to unveil on of the most intriguing mysteries in the world surf history. Rumors in Europe made us believe that Playa Colorado (named after the river that forms the bank called Rio Colorado) is probably one of the best beach breaks in Central America, more precisely in Nicaragua.

Much has been said and speculated, but till now you didn't have any real proof about these rumors.

David Raimundo, Miguel Ximenez, Pumas and Maria Abecasis were the detectives in charge to clarify what is true and what is myth.

We remind you that they only had 10 days of investigation, but they brought us a lot of insights.

Now watch it for yourself

Jeremy Brasset is the newest team rider

Now that our clothing line already reached the french surfshops, it’s with great enthusiasm that we proudly announce our first French team rider.

Jérémy Brasset was born in the beautiful Martinique, he is 23 years old, but is now living in France, more precisely in Bidart. He is a polyvalent surfer, but his foremost attribute is about his sea passion: the trips, the waves, the family and all friends.
We welcome him to the team
BIENVENUE À L’ÉQUIPE JEJE

Here’s a short summary of his surf results in the past:
7° -France Open 2007
9° - WQS 2* de Barbade
3° professional tour OP Single Trophee 2006
4° amateur tour OP Royal Single Trophee 2006
Champion of Martinique Open 2005
Winner « Royal Single Trophy 2005 » teams

11° Pro Junior 2004 and 2003 (½ finals pro junior Hossegor, Ericeira)
Champion of Martinique Open 2003
Champion of Martinique Junior 2002
Champion of France Minimes 1999