Rookie Ian Gouveia, a self-professed tube hound, could hardly contain himself after posting the highest heat score of Round One. "I was super excited to come to Chopes," said Gouveia, "It's only my fourth time here, and I love barrels, but when it's big it's a little bit difficult." Gouveia's 15.00 total heat score came on the back of a double barrel tube ride, dispatching local Tahitian Michel Bourez and fellow rookie Frederico Morais to Round Two. The thin line between victory and defeat at Teahupo'o was not lost on the rookie, however. "It's a wave where anyone can get a 10," he said, "But anyone can also get two 9s in two minutes." The young Brazilian was quick to credit his top-shelf caddie -- 2015 World Champ Adriano de Souza -- for helping him find a way to victory as well. "He's the captain of the Brazilian corner," he explained. "I caddied for him this morning, and he was there for me in my heat."
