Gabriel Medina, Lowers lights, California

Lowers has had some fire around it this weekend. Most of the top 34 have rolled into town (the Hurley Pro starts in a minute) and, along with them, a swell that turned the place – and crowd – right on. Gabriel Medina here was obviously in the mix. This kid has a notable lead on the rest of the pack, points-wise, having won three events this year already. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which he doesn’t become the first-ever Brazilian World Champion this year. Anyhow, here he is before all that happens, doing what he does best: Lighting up a lefthander.