Introducing Tomas Valente, Portugal’s Jester-Tubehound

Most people I know hate the act of claiming. Self-cheers are considered uncouth for two main reasons, the first being that it demonstrates surprise in your achievement (which means you’ve probably not done this thing many times before, which means you’re probably a kook), the second being that claims are now used excessively in competition to bolster scores. 

And I get the second one but, damn, are surfers so egocentric that they must shit on another’s happiness just to feel good about themselves? Maybe this is weird but, I love watching someone ride a decent-to-epic wave and be proud enough of their efforts to express it through gratuitous gesticulation. 

But maybe I’m alone in appreciating this second-hand stoke. Maybe surfing is actually meant to be miserable and performed in the monochrome grid of black suit, white board, and gray heart.

Or maybe y’all have drunk too much of the Cool-Aid.

Either way, allow me to introduce Tomas Valente — a bona fide claim specialist and one of my new favorite surfers. The second-hand stoke is real with this one!