Sweating Bullets

I've been in Puerto Escondido for the past week and it seriously feels like I'm walking into a industrial-strength oven every time I leave my hotel room. Other than sweating bullets, I've been catching up with old friends, shooting photos, getting barreled and commentating the most anticipated IBA Grand Slam Series event this year.

I stand by the reason why I like to do contests... to be part of the camaraderie that bodyboarding only has. Sure, I'm on the other side of the tape now but it's still a great view. I mean, a year ago I never thought I'd see GT almost kill himself at the Arica Chilean Challenge. And I didn't expect to have a heart to heart with David Hubbard. Actually, I take that back. I did expect those talks with Dubb. But the thing is that stokes me out with this new gig, aside from losing weight in Puerto's heat, is the fact that the riders and production crew really make my job easy.

All I have to do is talk about the best bodyboarders riding the best waves. Easy. Done. Boom.

Be sure to watch the last final days LIVE from Puerto Escondido. The waves are getting bigger and the riders are going to go higher! www.ibaworldtour.com

Photos of day two of the trials are unleashed. I've been holding onto these in hopes getting some in the magazines. But I guess, that's not happening. So here you go...





You can download any photo you'd like just head over to www.mannyvphoto.com

Zicatela Pro is a GO!

If there was an event on the IBA World Tour that I was really excited about it'd be this one... the Zicatela Pro presented by AGIT/Turbo/Found/ID/Colorada Surf. Don't get me wrong, every tour stop has been unreal. But there's something about coming back to a place that brought a lot of joy to me way back when. Puerto Escondido is the perfect wave riding town. Everything is near so walking around is done by all. Great food is just steps away. And the waves... oh man, this place has some of the heaviest, if not THE, heaviest beach break waves. Amazing is an understatement of what's about to go down in the main event rounds. So keep your eyes peeled and be sure to spread the word to watch the last day of the trials and main event go live on www.ibaworldtour.com and www.redbull.tv.

Here's some photos from the press conference where officials welcomed the riders and of the awesome hula show that was done for the riders as well.





Download the images at: http://www.mannyvphoto.com