Chippa Wilson, 52nd Street, Newport, CA

Chris ‘Chippa’ Wilson and Riley Blakeway have been in Cali for almost a month now. After scoring in Fiji, the duo spent a coupla weeks’ downtime at Chippa’s home in Cabarita, before heading to the States before the US Open of Surfing. “The waves have been pretty dead,” says Riley. “Apart from a fun session here and there. This was the best session we’ve had over here. He stuck this punt, as well as two backside shuv’s and a front biggy (frontside bigspin). I love watching the surf geeks of California freak out over Chippa when he surfs over here. It’s comedy. I get into conversations with some of them and I’m baffled by their contemporary surf-knowledge. Kinda puts me to shame.”