New Podcast "JROM at Home"

Aloha everyone!  It's been awhile since my last blog post, but all is well and life is still good :)  I've been home enjoying my family, friends, and some epic waves.  Below is a new podcast with footage from some early winter season swells from my Maui home zones.  It was filmed and edited by Jansen Souza.  Follow him on his instagram at @klotwar_media or at his website http://www.klotwarmedia.com for some epic photos and video clips.  We are teaming up to bring you a JROM movie sometime next year, but for now enjoy this new clip.  Mahalo to all of you for the support!  aloha


JROM at Home from Klotwar Media on Vimeo.

Portugal

               The last event on the APB tour was held at Portugal about 2 weeks ago and it was nothing, but epic times.  It was my first time going back to Portugal since 2010 so I was really excited for this trip.  Coming into the event I was ranked 18th and needed a decent result to hit that top 16 ranking.  This is a ranking that I've dreamt about when I started Bodyboarding competitively.  The contest had some fun waves and everyone was ripping.  I ended up tying for 9th in the event and it was a nice result to bump me up to 12th in the world for the end of the year rankings.  This goal means so much to me because I've been through a lot, worked so hard, made so much sacrifices, and to finally be in the top 16 is an amazing feeling.  I always believed in myself and never gave up.  This ranking will put me in a better seeding to accomplish my other goals such as being top 10 or being the world champion in 2015.  Congratulations to my good friend Dave Hubbard for winning the Open Mens division and binging home the DK 2014 World to Hawaii.  So stoked!

                Portugal is amazing!  The people are really friendly and the landscapes are insane.  I've met so much awesome people and made many friends.  The locals there really took care of me and I hope I can do the same if they ever come to Maui.  Thank you to everyone in Portugal for all of the support and love.  I really felt like I was at home and I know I will be back there next year.  See you all soon :)

                I am now at home enjoying life.  Now that the tour is over and it is winter time here in Hawaii, I am going to relax and have fun with my family and friends at my home zones as well as boogie a lot and releasing some Hawaii winter podcasts.  

Landing In Portugal.

My Portuguese friend Luis came to pick me up from the airport and took me to Praia Grande.  Such a legend

First sunset

Second sunset

Bolt

Such a beautiful place to stay in Praia Grande.  Amazing family and good times here

Fancy hotel

Poe.  Jared and Natashas baby girl

Another beautiful sunset

Some good cake

Reversing in my first heat.  PC:  Javier Fleitas

More grinds

My view from my room

Family dinners every night.  Thank you Isabel and family :)

Tristan, Isabel, and I.  

Invert.  PC:  Javier Fleitas

DUBB is da man!

World Champ Amaury Laverhne

Snakes

Cruising Sintra town

Good desert

Two of the biggest legends in Portugal.  Mahalo to Luis and Gancalo for taking care of me.  

The champ 

Final top 16 rankings

IBA Hawaii stop #3 at Sandys and home.

                  So right after Chile, I flew straight to Oahu for the third stop of the IBA Hawaii Tour which was held at Sandy Beach at the surf spot called Half Point.  I love half point and I felt really comfortable coming into the event.  Plus, my pops, niece, and girlfriend was there for the support so I felt relaxed and ready.  The waves were really fun and everyone was ripping in all divisions.  During my semifinal heat I made a mistake by going right when I had priority and all I had to do was to go left and block JUBB from going left, but I didn't.  JUBB went left and got the score he needed in the last seconds and knocking me down to 3rd and not advancing.  I ended up tying for 5th overall, but still in the lead of the rankings going into the last event on the westside of Oahu in December.  Other than competing in the contest, I relaxed and enjoyed being a tourist with my love Celestial.  We stayed in Waikiki and cruised all over the zones and ate allkines.  It was awesome after being away from home for a month in Chile.

                 After Oahu, I came home for a week and a half before heading to Portugal.  Home is where my heart is and I have everything there.  My family, friends, girlfriend, nature, everything Maui is there and I love it and I always feel great when I leave again for another contest or surf trip.  I am now on route to Portugal in New York on an overnight layover.  I'm amped and ready for the next stop of the APB contest.  Keep posted for more blog updates and photos.  mahalo for all of the support everyone!  aloha

Flipping in my semis.  PC:  Maurice Aubuchon 

Cruise the zone.  PC:  Maurice Aubuchon

Rocking the new SOL Clothing gear on Oahu.  Get yours now at www.solclothingusa.com

A room with a view

My love

Waikiki sunset

Waikiki sunrise

My good friend David Phillips and I before our heat together.  He was ripping all event and made his second final on the IBA Hawaii tour.

Flapping.  PC:  Celestial

Back home.  Here's uncle jonah and Paxton enjoying the valley 

Love this little big man.  My nephew Paxton 

Aunty and uncle with Paxton and Princess Alyza

They love eating.

I also got some waves while I was at home.  PC:  Erik Aeder

Running stairs with my love

My mom makes the best Kale Cesar

Valley run 

Celeste and I painting the studio

Love

Alyzas first soccer game.  GO Pink Ninjas

The drive to Wainapanapa

Enjoyed a weekend in Wainapanapa with the family.

One last sunrise before I head out to Portugal