Gabriel Medina, Rocky Lefts, Hawaii

There’s no doubt Gabriel Medina came outta the gates firing at mid-year cut-off. After a pristine run through the Primes and Six-Stars, the Brazilian was injected into the Dream Tour at the mid-year rotation and won in France, then San Francisco. So, how’s he gonna fare in Hawaii? He’s certainly proven himself on ramps, but how ’bout cavernous Pipe? Time’ll tell. But, for now, it’s hard not to be intimidated by a 17-year-old (for one more month!) who has the grit to blast airs like the one y’see above.

“Kid was boosting all over the place at Rockies today,” says Jimmy Wilson, who shot this. “He only stuck one, but was going higher than everyone combined. He needs to stop his double-grabbing though. No one in the world still thinks that’s cool.”