Jadson Andre's fifth-place finish at the the Hawaiian Pro is his best result ever in Hawaii, and his run into the Semifinals must come as some relief considering that he's fighting for his Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour (CT) life. He jumped ten spots up the ladder to No. 12 on the QS, just outside of the cutoff with one QS event to go.
And yet, despite all the stress, he's still smiling. "It's a dream," he said after his heat. "Everyone dreams of having a trophy from Hawaii, I'll keep trying."
Jadson Andre, Haleiwa - WSL / tony heff
All requalification ramifications aside, Andre's role on tour has evolved over the years. He's become a mentor to many of the young Brazilian surfers, a well-respected voice amongst a mass of opinions. He's a social butterfly, well known for his poker skills and quick mind. "He renders a lot of info," said Pete Mel during the broadcast. "He's got a fast processor."
But it's what he's done for his friend and fellow Brazilian CT surfer Italo Ferreira that may speak the loudest. Years ago, Andre voluntarily took a pay cut from his main sponsor to help subsidize Ferreira's contract. It was a move Ferreira will never forget.