More two days of “Pura Vida”
After finally arriving at Rancho Burica at night, really close to Pavones, we still managed to feel that we were close to paradise, and we also had a really great reception, with a fabulous meal. We woke up surrounded by the sound of waterfalls, beautiful flowers and a huge flora diversity.
Now we realized why the locals were considered the happiest people in the world.
It was time to start surfing Pavones, a really long left so fun to surf. We spent the days surfing, shooting, eating, exercising, and sleeping beneath the palm trees.
At night all the riders want to check the photos, the footage and the rest of time with some drinks and party to relax. 
Rory “The Dog” always surrounded by his worldwide friends
Also amazing is the fauna in here. We already saw parrots, iguanas, monkeys, crocodiles, and so many others.
The nearest village is Punta Banco, where you only have a school, a church and a mini-supermarket, but who needs more when you’re enjoying this natural born paradise and such fun waves.
The best photos are still to come, hided in Ricardo Bravo’s camera. 
Pekel, the portuguese team rider
The nature is the queen in Costa Rica. Even in shops you must be aware of that.
Surf is not everything. Another way of riding waves.
23 Jun 2010
Bolt surfing Costa Rica – More Action
9 Jun 2010
Lightning Bolt surfing in Costa Rica – the first pictures
The first session in Playa Hermosa
These are really out of the box pictures from Costa Rica, and only from the first two days of this Lightning Bolt Surftrip, that just started this week.
Some of our european team riders are now surfing the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, and they are staying right close to Pavones, one of the best surf spots of the country.
The big Bolt crew headed by the Pipeline Master Rory Russell is:
From Portugal: Nuande “Silva” Pekel, Miguel Ximenez and Joana Machado
From France: Gege Brasset, Justin Delanne and Léa Mengual
From Spain: The basque rider Txaber Trojaola
We are still waiting to receive the best photos, and as you can see, we believe there’s some swell to be ripped. 
One of the best hosting friends you can have – The Crocodile 
A classic of any surftrip – Txaber Trojaola hard working 
Miguel Ximenez, the portuguese team Rider facing the foam wall.
For now that’s all, but stay tunned as the best is still to come.
ALOHA
19 May 2010
Burritos del Mar – Dans le tube Mexicain
Après 1 mois de voyage en solo, 10 jours à Hawaii et 3 semaines en Californie, nous nous retrouvons a L.A. Tim arrive de Tahiti et Makina du Pays Basque.
Nous voila partis direction Mexico.
Premier stop, le nord du pays, entre le cocotier 28 et le cactus 432. Viennent alors les retrouvailles avec l’équipe : Tonio, Geoff, Adri, Bastien, Romain, Anne-Cécile, Coline et en guest Parpain et Greg.
Notre plus gros rassemblement de Français de ces 3 derniers mois.
Au programme: quelques jeux entre potes, surf et "barrels" le matin, torta de pollo à midi, jeu de carte «No me fodech», rigolade et "cagoama familiar" pour finir la journée.
Résumé: les potes, des barrels et du fun, la vie au jour le jour sans stress!!!
Après 3 semaines posées là, Tim, Makina et moi prenons le bus pour le sud. 4h de route le long de la côte pacifique à traverser des kilomètres de plage et beachbreaks quasi vierges pour arriver au village de la Ticla.
Rencontre improbable et inattendue de Hans et Isabelle de retour dans ce pays. Une belle retrouvaille pleine de vérité et de simplicité pour nous trois.
Niveau surf, le manque de houle sur ce spot imposa un "search" sur la côte.
Tim et Makina connaissent un «secret spot» plus exposé à la houle. Ainsi, nous voila dans la benne du taxi avec planches, couvertures, coussins et provisions pour 4 jours de camping à la belle étoile. Secret spot on ne peut divulguer le nom de cette vague "powerful".
La vague est puissante et rapide, nous avons installé un campement de hamac avec notre stock d’avocats, de tostadas, de sauce pimentée et la pleine lune pour nous bercer autour du feu…qu’un mot à dire: MAGIQUE!!!!
Après ces moments hors du temps, nous décidons d’entamer un road trip jusqu’à Puerto Escondido. Par chance, nous rencontrons Matt, un californien passant l’hiver au Mexique dans son 4x4 aménagé, qui lui aussi, descendait à Puerto. il nous embarquait alors pour l’aventure. Comme je persiste à croire que le hasard n’existe pas et qu’il n’y as que des coïncidences, cette rencontre en était la preuve et le voyage fabuleux.
Les planches sur le toit, Makina dans la cabine arrière, un hollandais recueillit avec nous, le chien sur la banquette, nous voila en route pour Nexpa. Une semaine au top avec un crew soudé et déterminé…Panoramix, Asterix, Obelix, makina et moi le koala, nous sommes prêts à vivre tout ce qui viendra à nous. Jah Knows!!!Jah Knows!!! Comme le son dans la voiture, réglé au maximum et à répétition dans le truck. Nous faisons étape à Zihuatanejo et Acapulco avant d’atteindre notre destination finale: Puerto Escondido dans une ambiance festive et survoltée.
Tous curieux et impatients de surfer le Pipe mexicain, l’excitation est palpable chez chacun d’entre nous, mais c’est une autre réalité que nous découvrons…
Un spot surpeuplé, des vagues qui ferment énormément, une surf city au Mexique décalé du reste du pays. Une ambiance très différente de ce que nous avons vécu ces dernières semaines…
Le choix est fait, nous partons à "Barra de la Cruz" pour nos derniers jours de voyage et retrouvons cette authenticité mexicaine, "cabanas" à 50 pesos, "tortas de camaron" délicieuses, et gens accueillants; même si le spot est très prisé depuis le WCT Rip Curl, une ambiance plus tranquille est palpable.
Nous terminons ainsi notre voyage de 2mois au Mexique avec la satisfaction d’avoir vécu des moments formidables, intenses, et d’avoir bien "cruiser" dans ce pays merveilleux.
27 Apr 2010
Hawaii, surf highlights
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. 
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. 
And Hawaii played the game and welcomed us with first-class waves, during one of the best winter seasons of the last years. 
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
12 Apr 2010
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.
26 Mar 2010
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.
12 Feb 2010
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.
27 Jan 2010
Hawaii – More Surf
Pedro Soares presenting his board in Hawaii – Vertical mode. The best thing of surfing in Hawaii, is that you always find a great spot even if the wind is bad on most spots. That day we had to go to Puena Point, where they film Lost series and one of the few spots with good conditions.
Gege Brasset, our french team rider always with beautiful carves. 
David Raimundo, the portuguese team rider was one of the most enthusiastic, when the “surf” was about to begin. 
Jord Fortmann directly from the Orange country (Holland) on a very deep bottom turn. 
Again Jeremy “Gege” Brasset very concentrated at work 
Pedro Soares, the portuguese team rider, showed his best surf in his first trip to Hawaii
Jord Fortmann (left) and Nicolas Pinot (right) on the rocks to start again
Gege Brasset explaining live how to draw the line
13 Jan 2010
Hawaii – Return to the source – First Surf
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
9 Jan 2010
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
THE HOUSE 
FIRST SPOT-HYKILAY 
SECOND SPOT-PIPELINE 