CJ and Damien Hobgood, sibling (non)rivalry, Bells Beach

“What a couple of freaks,” says photog Ryan Miller lovingly of the Hobgood twins (pictured here). “We’ve seen quite a few brother and brother/sister combos on the WT but it’s pretty creepy that identical twins have had a go at the WT for this long together.” This morning, the Hobgood twins faced-off in a heat at the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach. “According to them,” continues Ryan, “In the 12 years they’ve been on the WT together, they’ve only surfed against each other five times. And, Damo is leading the charge with three victories.” Of course, that count didn’t include this morning. Damo won again! “CJ was like, ‘I’m gonna level it,’” said Damo after the heat. “But, I love competing, and I love competing against my brother.” And, regardless of how close the bros are, surely there’d be some kinda sibling rivalry there, right? “The vibe around their house has been more than mellow and pure comedy,” differs Ryan. “They talk shit all day about cutting each other’s leashes, and hatch wild-haired strategies about going left at Bells, all in great fun. Here they are having a good laugh in the competitor’s warm-up area with CJ going hard on the spin bike and Damo fast asleep.”