The Search events always have a good buzz to them. I like the idea of traveling to and competing somewhere new and I think the rest of the lads on tour feel the same way. I think I adapt pretty well to new destinations and I’m looking forward to seeing what San Fran dishes up. I’ve never been there but Taylor Knox tell me it can get pretty sizey and pumps on its day. I might be out of the title race but I’m keen to finish the year with a couple of big results and I’ll be aiming for a win.

Portugal has some serious potential. We saw what Peniche is capable of producing in 2009 when it was 8 foot solid and pumping. Waves aside the place has a real buzz to it when the event is in town. The surfing fans in Portugal are some of the most vocal I’ve ever heard. I’m looking to drop some of those 13th places out of my top eight results before the end of the year so I can jump up the ratings a little. Forecast is looking promising for the event window. Let’s do this!

I love this event. The South West of France is just such a cool place to visit and I really love competing there in front of the massive crowds. The event is mobile and has access to a long stretch of coast that can serve up some of the best beachies in the world. Last year I got my third win at the event. The World Title race is a long shot but I’ll keep fighting. After some fun heats at Trestles I’m feeling good so hopefully we get some decent swell to rip into. Watch the event live here.

Swell pumped for the event in 2010. © Chauche/Quiksilver

Last couple of years I’ve had pretty poor starts and been chasing big results at Trestles to get my year back on track. 2011 is no different unfortunately. I can take a little confidence in the fact that the second half of the tour has been pretty solid for me. Trestles is an awesome event. The wave is steep but not super punchy so you can really throw the tail around. The crowd at Trestles is always super-vocal and appreciative of our performances and that seems to really push us to want to go big. The last couple of events have been really good for waves. Hopefully the trend continues.

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A big event in a big city. New York is going to be massive. $300,000 prize money, the mid-season cut off after the event and a World Title race that’s heating up. I’ve never surfed in NY before, I’m not expecting world class waves but hopefully we get a good pulse. Checking out the city between heats is going to be unreal. Hopefully the bright lights don’t aren’t too distracting.

Tahiti’s one of my favourite spots on tour, I love the joint. The last few years I’ve carted a massive quiver of boards over there and not even unpacked them. We’ve been getting so skunked! But I got a feeling this year is going to be different. I think it’s gonna be a memorable one. Teahupoo is an event I’d love to win… in 2007 I got close, finishing runner-up to Damien Hobgood in the final. I’m stinging for another shot at the title!

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I love J-Bay. The locals are legends and South Africa is just a cool country to be a tourist. I’ve had a average year so far. The second at Bells is great but the Gold Coast and Rio were crap for me. I’m chasing a big result at Jeffreys to get back on track. The break has been good for me. I’ve had epic waves at home plus scored in Mexico and in Fiji. I can’t remember being more psyched for a contest. Hope it’s pumping!

2011 has has been a lot like 2010 for me so far. I had a shocker in the first event on the Gold Coast but turned it around with a second at Bells. I don’t want this year to be a repeat of last year so I wanna make Brazil count. I’ve always enjoyed competing in Brazil, I’ve had two wins there and its also where I wrapped up my first World Title in 2007. We’re heading back to Rio De Janiero after trying a number of different locations around Brazil over the years. I’m looking forward to checking the place out and surfing in front of those big Brazilian crowds. I wanted to put some relatively new names down for my pick of Danger Men in Brazil so I listed three guys I think will go well if the conditions are similar to the 2-4 foot beachies we usually get in when we visit this part of the world.

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The Bells event turns 50 this year! That’s crazy and makes the Rip Curl Pro, the longest running event in surfing, even more special in 2011. I always love heading to Bells each year, the wave is one of my favourites on tour when it’s firing. It might not be a top to bottom barrel but it’s a wave that forces you to rethink your approach and I enjoy the challenge. I’ve got some good boards this year and after the Goldy I’m chasing a big result to get my campaign back on track.

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Here we go again! Stop one on the 2011 schedule is the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks. I had a shocker last year in what is usually a pretty good event for me. A 9th place finish at my homebreak. Ouch! My wins in this event [2005, 2007] mean a lot to me and – maybe I’m being greedy, but – I want more. A strong result in the first event has proven key for a strong world title campaign. This will be the first time we’ll see the condensed field (top 32 instead of 45) at Snapper and new event heat structure. It’s always an interesting event… can’t wait to see what unfolds.