News

Eraldo Gueiros

Age: 38

DOB: 2-13-65

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 178lbs.

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Green

From: Brazil

Current Residence: Rio de Janerio

Occupation:Pro Surfer and Surf Shop Owner

Years Tow Surfing:6

Years Surfing: 27 years

Home Breaks: Barra da Tijuca, Saquarema, Grumari and Prainha

Favorite Big Wave Spots:Jaws, Mavericks, Waimea and Sunset

Favorite Tow Spots: Jaws, Mavericks and Spots in Africa

Other Interests:Jiu Jitsu, Kitesurfing

Places Traveled:Hawaii, California, Australia, Bali, Africa, Fiji, Tahiti, Filipinas, Tansmania, Peru and Europe

Awards or Nominations:Third on the Tow-In World Cup at Jaws 2001/2002, XXL winner with Carlos Burle 2001/2002 , XXL Finalist tow surfing at Mavs 2001/2002, 2 times XXL finalist on paddle at Mavs 2001/2002 and at Jaws 2002/2003 and Brazilian Big Wave champion 2001/2002 at Mavs against my partner Carlos Burle.

Sponsors:Quiksilver, Red Beach, Bennet Foam and Linden Surfboards.

Eraldo Guerios
2002/2003 Billabong XXL Paddle Contender

I’m from Recife, north east of Brazil. I grew up in pretty quiet city, lots of surf trips, beautiful places with perfect reefs and pretty good waves, but not so big. Then I moved to San Diego California where I lived for 3 years going to Hawaii in the winters, after that I moved to Rio de Janeiro. Travel around the world on some of the ASP events then did a lot of contests in Brazilian circuit and I went every winter to the North Shore and a trip some where else during summer. Puerto Escondido, Tahiti, Australia, Africa, Tansmania, Peru, Fiji, Bali, etc...I’ve surfed a lot of big waves padding and started tow-in 6 years ago and I've be loving it since.

Towsurfer: What did you think of the XXL awards?
Eraldo: I think it is like the Oscar Awards of surfing and it is very important to the sport of big wave surfing and all of us who do it.

You were nominated as one of this years paddle contenders for the Billabong XXL Awards and the wave you paddled into was at Jaws. What was it like stroking into that wave?
Well it was pretty intense because Jaws is like a huge Sunset wave and you can get wasted very easily by the sets. I got cleaned up on the first set and I thought to myself this was going to be a bad trip. I managed to paddle back out and caught a smaller wave that got me stocked. I paddled back out and found a place to sit and caught some nice waves. After 5 good rides, I saw some skis coming and decided to leave. Jaws is a very hard spot to paddle surf because the waves move so fast. It is definitely where we can ride the biggest waves.

We’re you bummed you didn’t win the award?
Yes I was bummed. This is my second time I go to the final and I had a chance, but I’m doing what I can do. The judging is beyond my control.

Toby Cunningham on the other hand, pulled it off and you have to admit, he was pretty surprised after his name was announced as the winner?
I guess his wave was a pretty big wave too. I would rather win but I’m happy for him.

Maybe next year will be your year. Like they say, third time’s the charm .
I’m doing what I love to do and have the opportunity to do so. We shall see for next year.

Did you have a chance to talk to Toby?
Not after the results. He was off doing a few interviews and very busy.

So you’re back in Brazil now and doing what?
Surfing, kitesurfing, jiu jitsu and once and while I do some tow in.

Getting much surf?
It is our winter so we get some pretty good surf.

What about towing?
Yes we do much towing even when it’s not that big.

Who’s your tow partner?
Carlos Burle

Do you feel you and your partner have a good thing going?
Yes we know each for a long time and we surf pretty much on the same level so its good for both.

How important is it to maintain a balanced training schedule when it comes to the sport of big wave surfing or tow surfing?
Very important especially with big waves because you never know when they come so you always have to be ready. It’s like a fighter, never know when you will fight, got to be ready.

Have you ever had any real frightening moments to the point where you are asking yourself, "What am I doing out here?"
Every time the surf is big, you are risking your life so it’s a spiritual preparation because you can die anytime.

When did you get your first real taste of tow surfing and what was that experience like for you?
I did a lot of tow-in on the north shore of Oahu, hammer head backyards but when I went to Jaws I saw a different story.

What kind of tow board are you riding and what are your shapes and designs?
I worked a little bit with Brewer and I like lot. I have a pretty good board I bought from D.D. and I work with some Brazilians shapers, Beto Santos, Ed Picolo, and now Gary Linden.

Where do you see the sport of tow-in surfing going in the next few years?
I see it becoming more popular and more extreme. People love extreme stuff so I see a big future for the sport.

What are some of the more important aspects of tow surfing for you?
Safety, work with one partner, brotherhood on the water.

Where did you first get your PWC training and how has it helped you thus far?
I did some training with Terry A Hui, Joe Golanka (?) , Darick Donner and Shawn Alladio, it helped a lot, I love to learn.

What are you and your partner doing today to obtain greater training and knowledge of PWC use and life saving skills?
Always training riding the skis and learning everytime we go out.

What is the worst situation you have been in with respect to tow surfing?
Falling on a 60 foot wave faqce at mavericks and I thought I was going to die.

Who are some of the guys that you are inspired by?
Laird Hamilton, Darick Donner, Dave Kalama, Ross Clark Jones, and I'll learn from all the others, I appreciate a lot how Vetea drives the ski.

It seems as though the bar has been raised to such a level this past year that towing 50’-60’ waves is really just another normal day. Do you feel that this is the case and what do you think will be the next real big step for tow surfing?
Pulling in is the next step and its crazy.

What’s the biggest wave you have towed into?
Mavericks biggest day, during the Tow in World Cup and last year at Jaws the big hollow day on November 26, 2002.

Tell us what those days felt like?
Beautiful and very heavy. All those sessions were different but very heavy! Like nothing else I can explain unless you are out there.

What’s the best part of being a surfer for you?
Surfing many different places and especially going to Hawaii, I love Hawaii!

It was great meeting you at the awards and thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you so much and I hope some day you can came to Brazil to visit us. Aloha Eraldo