Stressing out!!!

I have been stressing the past couple days, trying to get reimbursed for my cancelled flights, and contest entries. Such a Pain in the ass. I would really like to Judy Chop Delta Airlines right now. Actually I would rather have this guy do it.....

Thought I was off to Brazil....

SCREW DELTA!!!
As a professional surfer, I have learned to prepare myself to be taken advantage of by the airlines for carrying my surfboard bag, but what happened two days ago at the Daytona Beach airport even shocked me. I am waiting in a 4 person line (Daytona is a small airport) at the check in counter for my flight to Brazil. When I reach the desk I hand over my passport, and prepare my credit card for a beating, when this women tells me she will not be able to check my surfboards in. I kind of laughed for a second, and then asked what this was about, "I have flown this route several times in the past". About this time Eric Geiselman, (who I was traveling with) comes up with 2 board bags. I explain to him and his mom what was going on, and she went into snap mode, trying to get us on the flight. Eventually the supervisor of the airport comes over and lets us know that there is no way they can transport surfboard bags anymore on ASA flights (smaller aircraft), due to the risk of incurring fees from damages made to the surfboards. I snapped and told him I have to be on this flight, just put my boards on the plane....He explained there are no exceptions and offered to book us another flight the following day. When I agreed, we went over to the computer and realized that there were no other flights headed to this area of Brazil out of MCO, JAX, DAB, for 3 days. I felt like exploding in that airport, but decided to just get out of there before I did something I would regret. Looks like we will not be starting our WQS year off in Brazil!! Hopefully I get refunded for my crazy expensive ticket...

....Thought the letter I received from the Delta supervisor was pretty funny. Instead of putting the real reason why I was not on the flight, he just documented it as weather delays, and no other flights being open....

Off to Brazil...

Getting ready to head out in a couple of days to Brazil.....Normally Brazil isn't a destination that I am thrilled to be setting off for, but lucky for me, this event is going to be held on a little island paradise off the coast, called Fernando De Noronha. This place is absolutely amazing, the best Acai bowls in the world, killer surf, good vibes, and beautiful scenery. Check out some of the photos from my past trips over there.

The other contest venue looks cool too, I haven't been there before, but I have been trying to get pumped by watching clips of the wave on youtube, and just checking out the photos online. I am also siked, because I am heading down there with two of my other friends from Florida, Eric Geiselman and Sterling Spencer. Should be a good time!! Stay posted and I will keep you updated on the trip.

Product Review: Able Planet Headphones

Believe the hype! On My flight home from vegas I was able to test out the Able Planet headphone line for the first time. I first used the NC1000 noise canceling headphone. Hands down the best noise canceling headphone I have ever tried. Another bonus with these headphones is that even when the battery dies you are still able to use them as a regular noise isolating headphone. The next pair I tried was the sound isolation earbuds. I was shocked at the quality of these. I found that when music was playing all other outside noise was cancelled out, without having to blast the volume....... Since being home from vegas I have been able to sample a couple more headphones in their line. The headphone that I have been most impressed with and is now my favorite, is the foldable active noise canceling headphone. Three things that I really love about this headphone is that they fold up for easy storage, they are super comfortable and light weight, and they look really cool in flat black, all while maintaing the quality of the noise cancellation. Check out Able planet here online and maybe pick up a pair of their foldable active NC headphones, quality, and style at a real good price.

CES Show in Vegas

After spending the weekend in Vegas for the CES show I have learned a few things:

1. Vegas is not nearly as clean and nice as the movies lead you to believe.

2. I'm not nearly as smart as I thought I was. (The convention center where the CES show was taking place was the size of a small town, and it was completely filled with little Asian men and women that must have graduated with there masters when they were 11. I literally watched a man complete a scrambled Rubik's cube in less than a minute.)

3. To take part in the "man vs. food" 8 pound burrito eating contest you must have you order placed before 8:00 PM. (My friend Frank from able planet and I showed up 5 minutes late, and they would not put our order in, not even if you just want to eat the burrito and not be in the competition.)

4. Within the next year our minds will be blown by the 3D tv's that will be available for our homes, and the 3D video games are going to be even more insane. 3D TV's without the need for the glasses!!!

Here are a couple shots from Able Planet's booth during the show.....

A Good Way to start off the new year

I received a call today from the CEO of Able Planet, they are a high end noise canceling headphone company. They were looking for a surfer to represent their company and to keep a short story short, I am there new man. I am super excited to be working with such a great company. I have not had the opportunity to test there product but after checking out there website and reading the testimonials, they seem undeniable. I will be flying out tomorrow to attend the CES (consumer electronic show) in Vegas to meet with everyone from the company and be on hand to sign autographs. I will keep you updated, this show is the largest electronic show in the world, and is supposed to be something straight out of the future.......

If you get the chance, check out Able's product online here http://ableplanet.com/

New Travel Partner

Competing on the WQS requires a lot of commitment. You not only have to give up a lot of time from your home and loved ones, but most of the events are held in super sketchy locations, where being in the water is more dangerous than being in the bad areas of town. Even growing up in the shark bite capital of the world leaves you helpless against some of the sea creatures in countries like Australia and South Africa. This is why I am stoked I found such a perfect travel partner for the upcoming season.......... Check her out, already getting media coverage.

....I wonder if the airlines will charge me extra to bring her weapon of choice (bodyboard) on the plane.

New Year, New Me.

It is the start of the new year and I am pumped. I finished up my AA degree last semester, so I am going to take a semester off and get prepared for the upcoming WQS season. I have been training super hard lately 5-6 days a week, and I feel like I am in the best shape of my life. Cant wait to get a few heats under my belt. Stay posted, one of my new year resolutions is to keep this blog updated as often as possible.

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This is a shot of me taken during a shoot for Alpinestars new boardshort line. Told you I have been training hard......