Michel Bourez, post-round three victory, Portugal

Ain’t it great when competitors can’t contain their joy? The Rip Curl Pro, Portugal’s three days of perfection did little to suppress the resurgence in popularity of claiming. The play-it-cool-til-you’ve-won-the-event vibe is gone. This is a time when men celebrate all their victories, even the little ones (like Adriano De Souza, who always wears his elation on his sleeve and didn’t disappoint after winning the event today.)

Check out Tahitian Michel Bourez here. After opening with a 7.17, Matty Wilkinson put Michel on the back foot for the entirety of their round three heat. With six minutes remaining, Michel posted an 8.17. Then, on the buzzer, each man rode a scoring wave. They embraced on the beach and both reached the competitor’s area before the scores dropped. Then: Wilko, a 7.37 and Michel, an 8.10. Wilko, who’d lost, slammed his board on the ground and screamed “FUCK!” which’ll probs result in a fine. But Michel, who was under the shower (pictured), felt the glory that only victory can bring. If y’work that hard for something, taking one step closer’s gotta feel good.