Surfing’s hottest power couples are young, free, good looking, talented and traveling the world. It’s enough to make chop my own neck off with jealousy. They are some of the world’s most promising young surfers are they are sharing both saliva and competitive strategies. In fact these wave riding couplets are almost too talented and good looking for words. It it some super conspiracy? A CIA funded breeding program destined to take over the surfing world? Here we take a look at some of surfing’s most famous couples, from the original template through to the current crop of power couples.
Ken and Lane: The Original Duo
Ken Bradshaw and Layne Beachley can be considered the original power couple, surfing’s equivalent tennis’ mixed doubles pair Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff. Bradshaw was the gruff Texan turned Hawaiian hardman who bit boards, ruled Waimea and charged 50 foot swells. He teamed up with Beachley in the late ‘90s, shaping her boards, mentoring her towards a few world titles and being instrumental in Beachley becoming the best big wave female surfer the world had ever seen.
Alana Blanchard and Jack Freestone
The Hawaiian Blanchard has a serious claim to the be the most popular surfer on earth, just after Rod Cunthorpe. Her surfing talents, she finished 9th in the world last year, is matched by a huge social media following, her own TV show called Surfer Girl and a burgeoning modeling career. Freestone is a former world junior champion and seen by many experts as the young Australian most likely to make a mark on the elite ASP World Tour. Together for two years, the couple are are so photogenic it makes your eyes bleed, and so talented in the water, it causes bile. Heaven help us if they ever have kids!
Laura Enever and Granger Larson
Another Hawaiian/Australian combo that have formed a relationship whilst juggling their successful surfing careers. Larson finished 36 in the World Rankings in 2013, only one heat win away from making the top 32 that compete on the elite tour. An incredible talent in all sized waves he is expected to qualify this year. Enever, from Sydney, has been ranked in the top 10 for that three years and has used her looks and infectious personality to also forge a modeling career.
Alessa Quizon and Caio Ibelli
Alessa Quizon is one of surfing’s most promising and electric surfers. At only 18 the Hawaiian is on her rookie year on the ASP World Tour, her progressive act making her a surfer that has been earmarked for future multiple world titles. Her boyfriend, Caio Ibelli from Brazil, is the 2011 World Junior Champion and known for his incredible aerial surfing and lightening fast style. It seems only a matter of time before Ibelli will join his girlfriend on at the very top tier of professional surfing.
