Adriano De Souza, switching channels at Winki Pop, VIC

We love Adriano De Souza. He’s become more refined with age, overall demeanour and on-wave style included, but that favela fire still burns! He’s just learned to channel it better. And here he is channeling it, or perhaps just unloading, on a wave at Winki Pop. Ads didn’t get the result he wanted (scooping a fifth ain’t bad tho, and he won this event last year), but we’re quite certain he’ll equal or better his 2014 Bells result every year for at least the next three.

“I did my best, that’s all I can say,” said Ads after he lost to Taj in the quarters. “I’m really looking forward to Brazil, it will be another good event for me. This year will be a learning curve for me. Let’s see what I can do in Brazil. I’m happy that I got as far of the Quarterfinals but I wish was able defended my title.”