Tell us about Jamie O’Brien?
Jamie told me a funny story recently. In 2003, I won
the World Juniors in Australia, and he competed in
the same contest. I had a heat with Kekoa Bacalso and
surfed well and got two nines and the win. Jamie came
up to me after and said, ‘Well surfed man, good heat!’
Apparently I just said, ‘I know,’ because I didn’t really
speak any English at all. He was like, ‘OK,’ but in his head
was thinking, ‘F**k you!’ because I sounded so cocky.
All these years later, he told me this, and I had to admit
that back then I didn’t know any English, but now I do
and so I’m sorry! Jamie has always been good to me. I
came to him in 2013 when I lost my sponsor and didn’t
have a way of living on the beach here in Hawaii. I knew
the champion was always crowned at Pipeline, and I
had to stay here and train if I was to have a chance.
So I asked if I could stay with him, and he looked at
me like a stranger had just knocked on his door and
asked for a bed! A week later I was out at Pipeline and
Jamie paddled over and said, ‘You know what, I’ve got
a bed for you, just respect the house and don’t bring
any sand inside!’ I felt like I’d won the lottery, all I could
say was, ‘Thank you.’ It meant so much to me, and still
does. I give so much credit to Jamie for opening up his
house to me, I couldn’t have done this without him.
How much did Gabriel winning the title last year have
an effect on you?
A lot! He showed me how to be a champion, and that it
is possible for the champion to come from Brazil. He’s so
young, too, I’m 28 and he’s only 22. Before the final today
we were talking and I was saying, ‘You’re the legend,
you’re going to win 10 of these.’ But I’ve always watched
the champions. I want to learn from as many of the best
people as possible. Two years ago, when Mick needed to
Q&A with adriano de souza
make the semis to win the ti
did so closely, and this year
final. I look and I learn.
Have you spoken to Mick ye
No, but I really want to have a c
so much respect for Mick and