Jordy Smith and dad Graham, Portugal

The Dream Tour’s evolving. With the average age of competitors dropping (Gabs Medina, 17! Johnny Florence, 19! Miguel Pupo, 19!) it’s now a common sight at contests to see parents accompanying surfers. That doesn’t just mean the youngest guys, either… Here sits Jordy Smith with his dad Graham Smith, or ‘Gee Force’ as he’s usually called. They’re watching the Rip Curl Pro, Portugal webcast go down on Gee’s computer. “Some of the crew out there are getting really young and plenty are travelling with their dads,” says photog Ryan Miller, who shot this moment. “Or, even moms in John John’s case. It’s pretty rad to get that family dynamic on the road. There’s lots of family-style bonding going on and also those fun little blow-ups that wash away so quickly.” Jordy watching heats with dad? Kolohe Andino rarely competing without Pops Dino watching from the beach? Johnny Florence hanging in the competitor’s area with Mum? Gabs Medina training with dad? When y’look at those names, maybe there’s something in the whole parent-at-the-contest thing…