1. Love at First Sight
It's been debated for centuries, but surfers know it's real: Breaks can be breathtaking. Waves can seduce. And falling in love can be so easy to do. Fall hard with a gallery of Banzai Pipeline at sunset by Ed Sloane, compiled by WSL's Kirstin Scholtz.
The Beauty of Pipe. - WSL / Cestari
2. He's Just Not That Into You
Of course, you could be way off the mark. Surfing can be hard to compete with -- even if you're Rosy Hodge.
Mick Fanning ignores Rosy Hodge in favor of calling the shots at the Moche Rip Curl Pro.
3. That Loving Feeling
Not everyone can carve like a pro. But sometimes there's that smooth cutback that feels on par with anyone on the Top 34. Like this one from Mick Fanning (AUS) at J-Bay. Looks simple enough...
Oh, Mickey, you're so fine. - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
4. Pet Names
Sweet names belong in the surf, too. Josh Kerr (AUS) has inspired unique ones for some of his more outstanding maneuvers, like the Kerrupt flip. But in 2014, Kerrzy came up with something even more delicious: The Club Sandwich, so called because it has a little bit of everything.
The Australian pulls an upside-down throw-tail reverse in Round 1 of the J-Bay Open.
5. Tunnel of Love
The perfect place for a first date. In fact, the Top 17 dove right in for their first Championship Tour (CT) trip to Tavarua. It was pure love in the lineup during the Fiji Women's Pro, a new stop on the women's Dream Tour.
Sally Fitzgibbons wins the 2014 ASP Fiji Pro.
6. Nice Guys Can Finish First
Everyone had high expectations for Aussie golden child Julian Wilson when he made the Tour in 2011. But until December, he hadn't delivered, finishing at No. 14 the last two seasons. So when the underdog won the Billabong Pipe Masters -- and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing -- you couldn't help but grin.
The Aussie's post-heat interview following his incredible win of the Billabong Pipe Masters and Hawaiian Trifecta.
7. Becoming Mr. Right
Sometimes relationships take work and more often than not, the effort pays off. Just ask Gabriel Medina (BRA), whose work won him surfing's biggest prize.
The 20-year-old phenom reacts to winning his first World Title, and becoming the first-ever Brazilian Champ.
8. Love Shack, Baby
After you've met "The One" it's time to shack up and settle down. Of course, "shack" is a relative term. Take a look at the Rip Curl's North Shore digs, where Fanning and Medina crashed during the the Pipe Masters.
Ahead of the World Title faceoff between his teammates, the Aussie gives a walk-through of Rip Curl's house on Oahu's North Shore.
9. The Honeymoon Period
The first few months with that someone special is always a thrill. Give a surfer a new whip and hearts will melt. Alessa Quizon (HAW) had a certain glow when looking over her picks for Fiji.
2014 ASP Women's WCT Rookie Alessa Quizon talks about her quiver for Cloudbreak and Restaurants.
10. Highs and Lows
After the Honeymoon is over, the rose-colored haze slowly fades and reality sets in. For better or worse, right? But in surfing it's all about riding out every wave, from top to bottom -- and back again.
-
Julian Wilson flies high.
- WSL / Ed Sloane
-
Tom Curren digs deep.
- WSL / Kirstin
11. Getting the Spark Back
Even the best relationships can get stale. How much time can you spend with one person without getting a little bored? Still, there's always the chance to rekindle the fire. Joel Parkinson (AUS) has spent 15 years on Tour, and he still knows how to light things up.
Joel Parkinson nabs a 10-point ride in the J-Bay Semifinals, with two tubes along the way.
12. Gets Better With Age
After all the dust has settled, love can be a lazy river, just the two of you floating along. Take Gary Linden's lead and relish every moment.
Gary Linden Takes on Jaws at Age 65 - WSL / Fred Pompermayer
13. Getting Dumped
Enough with the sweet talk: Sometimes things don't work out. For some, breaking up is no big deal. For others, it can be crushing. A lot like a heavy wipeout at...
Along with huge scores, surfers at the Reef Hawaiian Pro also had big falls, wiping out in a big way.
...or worse, at...
Some of the worst wipeouts from the first Northern Hemisphere stop on the Big Wave World Tour.
And for the ultimate heartbreak...
ASP Desk takes a look back at some of the big falls from opening day at Teahupo'o.
14. The One That Got Away
You put yourself out there and do everything right. But there's always that one that makes you think, "What if..." Even John John Florence (HAW) can relate:
JJF's 'If only...' - WSL / Will H-S
Bonus: Sharing is Caring
Whatever you're doing this Valentine's Day, remember to share the love. Share your surf wax, share the ocean...maybe even share this story. And don't forget to do what you love most: Go surf.
Slater and Wilkinson share the love in France. - WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
Happy V-Day: 14 Ways to Love Like a Surfer
WSL
1. Love at First Sight
It's been debated for centuries, but surfers know it's real: Breaks can be breathtaking. Waves can seduce. And falling in love can be so easy to do. Fall hard with a gallery of Banzai Pipeline at sunset by Ed Sloane, compiled by WSL's Kirstin Scholtz.
2. He's Just Not That Into You
Of course, you could be way off the mark. Surfing can be hard to compete with -- even if you're Rosy Hodge.
3. That Loving Feeling
Not everyone can carve like a pro. But sometimes there's that smooth cutback that feels on par with anyone on the Top 34. Like this one from Mick Fanning (AUS) at J-Bay. Looks simple enough...
4. Pet Names
Sweet names belong in the surf, too. Josh Kerr (AUS) has inspired unique ones for some of his more outstanding maneuvers, like the Kerrupt flip. But in 2014, Kerrzy came up with something even more delicious: The Club Sandwich, so called because it has a little bit of everything.
5. Tunnel of Love
The perfect place for a first date. In fact, the Top 17 dove right in for their first Championship Tour (CT) trip to Tavarua. It was pure love in the lineup during the Fiji Women's Pro, a new stop on the women's Dream Tour.
6. Nice Guys Can Finish First
Everyone had high expectations for Aussie golden child Julian Wilson when he made the Tour in 2011. But until December, he hadn't delivered, finishing at No. 14 the last two seasons. So when the underdog won the Billabong Pipe Masters -- and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing -- you couldn't help but grin.
7. Becoming Mr. Right
Sometimes relationships take work and more often than not, the effort pays off. Just ask Gabriel Medina (BRA), whose work won him surfing's biggest prize.
8. Love Shack, Baby
After you've met "The One" it's time to shack up and settle down. Of course, "shack" is a relative term. Take a look at the Rip Curl's North Shore digs, where Fanning and Medina crashed during the the Pipe Masters.
9. The Honeymoon Period
The first few months with that someone special is always a thrill. Give a surfer a new whip and hearts will melt. Alessa Quizon (HAW) had a certain glow when looking over her picks for Fiji.
10. Highs and Lows
After the Honeymoon is over, the rose-colored haze slowly fades and reality sets in. For better or worse, right? But in surfing it's all about riding out every wave, from top to bottom -- and back again.
11. Getting the Spark Back
Even the best relationships can get stale. How much time can you spend with one person without getting a little bored? Still, there's always the chance to rekindle the fire. Joel Parkinson (AUS) has spent 15 years on Tour, and he still knows how to light things up.
12. Gets Better With Age
After all the dust has settled, love can be a lazy river, just the two of you floating along. Take Gary Linden's lead and relish every moment.
13. Getting Dumped
Enough with the sweet talk: Sometimes things don't work out. For some, breaking up is no big deal. For others, it can be crushing. A lot like a heavy wipeout at...
...or worse, at...
And for the ultimate heartbreak...
14. The One That Got Away
You put yourself out there and do everything right. But there's always that one that makes you think, "What if..." Even John John Florence (HAW) can relate:
Bonus: Sharing is Caring
Whatever you're doing this Valentine's Day, remember to share the love. Share your surf wax, share the ocean...maybe even share this story. And don't forget to do what you love most: Go surf.
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