Bad news, boys. Bruno Santos is back. After winning the Tahiti trials, Santos has earned a place in the draw for the second consecutive year. That spells trouble for the 2016 world title contenders. The Billabong Pro Tahiti is a crucial stop as the tour heads into the back end of the season, where every wave counts.
Up against his fellow Brazilians, Bruno pulled off a steep drop and found the barrel for big points in the 2015 event.
Bruno's success at Teahupo'o in 2016 wasn't a total shock. The Brazilian vet won the event as a wildcard in 2008. Plus, with the GoPro Challenge in full swing, the clips Bruno was sending in were a good indication the guy was on fire.
In his winning submission for the 2015 Tahiti GoPro Challenge, Bruno Santos captures Teahupo'o breaking before tucking into the barrel.
To be specific about just how good Santos was in last year's contest: After winning his Round One heat, Santos skipped Round Two and took down Adriano de Souza in what became De Souza's world title season in Round Three. He was eliminated in Round Five but banked a nine-pointer in the heat before to put the finishing touches on a great event.
The 2015 event had its challenges weather-wise but Bruno had the know-how to take down big names like Adriano de Souza. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Santos is slotted to compete against Matt Wilkinson and Stuart Kennedy in Round One. If we're lucky, this three-man bout could turn into an instant classic.
The 2015 event saw a string of lay days and Bruno Santos did his best to stay fine tuned. On a picturesque morning, photos found him freesurfing just off the Tahitian coast. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Watch the Billabong Pro Tahiti on the WSL homepage and the app starting August 19. And if you're feeling Bruno, add him to your lineup in Fantasy Surfing
Santos won the 2008 event in Tahiti as a wildcard. Think he has any more tricks up his sleeve? - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
Tahiti Wildcard Spotlight: Beware of Bruno Santos
WSL
Bad news, boys. Bruno Santos is back. After winning the Tahiti trials, Santos has earned a place in the draw for the second consecutive year. That spells trouble for the 2016 world title contenders. The Billabong Pro Tahiti is a crucial stop as the tour heads into the back end of the season, where every wave counts.
Bruno's success at Teahupo'o in 2016 wasn't a total shock. The Brazilian vet won the event as a wildcard in 2008. Plus, with the GoPro Challenge in full swing, the clips Bruno was sending in were a good indication the guy was on fire.
To be specific about just how good Santos was in last year's contest: After winning his Round One heat, Santos skipped Round Two and took down Adriano de Souza in what became De Souza's world title season in Round Three. He was eliminated in Round Five but banked a nine-pointer in the heat before to put the finishing touches on a great event.
Santos is slotted to compete against Matt Wilkinson and Stuart Kennedy in Round One. If we're lucky, this three-man bout could turn into an instant classic.
Watch the Billabong Pro Tahiti on the WSL homepage and the app starting August 19. And if you're feeling Bruno, add him to your lineup in Fantasy Surfing
Bruno Santos
Bruno Santos está gostando tanto da experiência de viver com a família em Bali que tem considerado uma mudança definitiva
In the end, it was a battle of former Championship Tour powerhouses: Aranburu vs. Aussie Nathan Hedge.
Kelly Slater earned another perfect 10 during his rematch with Bruno Santos, and moved through.
Three former Teahupo'o winners waged a fierce Round Four battle for a trip to the Quarterfinals, and it was good.
After Jeep Leader Matt Wilkinson lost in Round Three, No. 2-ranked John John Florence secured another crucial win.
Billabong Pro Tahiti
Relive all the action and drama from this epic event.
The remarkable and menacing Teahupo'o is the ultimate surfing challenge.
It's never too early to be talking about Tahiti...so let's just recap what transpired during last year's incredible event.
Maior ídolo do esporte fez uma bateria perfeita com duas notas 10 no caminho até a decisão contra John John Florence.
"This is for sure one of the best wins I've ever had." -- Kelly Slater.