Laydays: Painting The Town Red (And Blue, Purple, Etc.) With Mad Steeze, Plus An Abysmal Surf With Rosy Hodge And Nikki Van Dijk

Following Medina’s priority hoo-ha, the Rip Curl Pro Portugal has taken a long, wave-induced reprieve, with Peniche going unseasonably flat and local winds failing to cooperate for the second-to-last event of the CT season. 

So, laydays. What’s there to do in one of the most beautiful and historic coastlines in the western world?

If you’re the greatest male or female surfer of all time, you might sample one of Portugal’s world class golf tracks.

If you’re in line to become surfing’s next queen, you might visit a castle. 

If you’re a commentator in dire need of a surf, you might paddle out despite the horrid conditions (see top of page).

Or, if you’re a sadistic artist-type, you might paint a mural of what everybody wished the waves looked like.

For the past 12 months, Rip Curl has been collaborating with large scale muralist Mad Steez, bringing to life different lineups and events around the world with bold colours and his unique graphic style.

After painting a lineup at Padang Padang, a World Champion mural at Bells, and an incoming set at Swamis in California, he is now in Peniche bringing colour to the side of the Rip Curl store.

His canvas, sitting about seven meters in the sky, was white just three days ago. Looking at it today, you will see a unique interpretation of an iconic Supertubos barrel, grinding down the line with the Portuguese skyline in the background.

Now, if only we could get 1/10th of that happening in the actual ocean.

More like Mad Sneeze!

Regardless of conditions, the World Title implications of finals day will be massive.

Next call is tomorrow at 8 am WEST.