North Point
A series by Doug Stanley
The Characters of North Point
Team Gel Blaster
Surfer
Mentor
USA
David
It was a monumental day for David Langer when he was towed into a giant, hollow wave at Jaws on Maui. As the surfing world took notice, David’s life changed forever. The Jewish kid from California, transplanted to Hawaii, had somehow become “Big Wave Surfer, David Langer”. So it was that David was among the first to make the pilgrimage to Nazare, which soon became his new home. David would be the first to tell you that this transition was not easy for him, nor for his often-challenging 18 year old daughter Liv, who has followed David to Portugal. In fact, it is still a struggle. In fact, for them both, it is still a struggle. Through the eight years that have passed, David has become a seasoned veteran, one of the well known resident surfers of Nazare. Gregarious in nature, David often serves as the welcome wagon for newbies, and as mentor to those he takes a special interest in.
Surfer
Apprentice
USA
Quinn
New to Nazare this year, and coming into the scene through Langer’s outreach, Quinn represents all that Nazare inspires. This Dana Point surfer simply heard his calling and came to Nazare in pursuit of Monsters. The newest member of David Langer’s team, Quinn brings both intelligence and talent. He is hungry and in a position to rise.
Surfer
Brazil
Eduardo
Eduardo’s easy manner, quick witted humor and playfulness keep him in in middle of the action, but can sometimes lead him to trouble. As a key member of Langer’s team, he is a quick learner that has reverence for his mentor and brings an all-in, lets go attitude. While Eduardo is taking significant steps in the right direction, apparently he needs to learn some lessons twice. Due to two recent run ins with Nazare’s police, who evidently require a drivers license, insurance and registration, Eduardo is currently doing “time” as a volunteer, serving Nazare’s fire department. Eduardo is a ferret at heart.
Skimboarder
USA
Domke
A semi-reluctant member of Langers Team, Brad Domke is quite different. Ridiculously limber and talented, Domke is a bleeding edge pioneer in the quickly advancing sport of skim boarding. His boards have no fins to stabilize him as he careens and spins down the wave’s enormous faces. Brad exhibits a most delicate sense of balance. Will he make it through another season with Langer? We’ll find out!
Nurse
Brazil
Andrea
We are not really sure… Is she David’s girlfriend? Is she not? Hmmmm…but what we do know is that Andrea is a Brazilian Nurse, working in the Sitio’s Hospital, and when she speaks of David, she speaks of love.
Team Red Herrings
Harold
Surfer
Brazil
Haroldo’s experience, stand out surfing style, and his his gregarious, non-selfish personality are what first attracted Red Herrings’ founders. With his love for his son Vince and a handful of screws holding him together, Haroldo is still writing his chapter in the history of surfing. With his grace, vitality and focus, and his inclusion in the Red Herrings Surf Team, this next chapter is likely to be a page-turner.
Tomas
Surfer
Portugal
Tomas is our youngest character at 19 years old, yet he has already risen to world champion status in stand up paddle board racing and he is hungry for more. Growing up on the Portuguese Island of Madeira, the ocean has literally surrounded Tomas his entire life. With his talent and excellent athleticism, Tomas has now become the newest member of the Red Herrings team. When we met first met Tomas he looked straight into the lens and said “I am going to be the next world champion”. Ok, young man! We are going to watch you do it!
Ana
Surfer
Portugal
Twenty two year old Ana is a well educated girl from a small village in western Portugal. At 16 she found her love of the ocean while playing in the shorebreak with her styrofoam surfboard. Now, six years later, she surfs daily with her boyfriend, Red Herring’s Lourenço Katzenstein, and also serves as a spotter for the team.
Francisco
Surfer
Business Man
Portugal
Francisco, co-founder of the Red Herrings Surf Team is a husband, a father, a successful businessman and a mentor. Five years ago, he brought his wife and family to live in Portugal. A surfer for only a decade, Francisco is a driven individual that brings a unique approach to big wave surfing, one that tosses aside the strict individualism that has long been present in surfing and instead applies a team approach that builds community and allows him to curate and develop talent.
Lorenco
Surfer
Portugal
The son of one of the key figures in Portugal’s surfing history, Lourenço represents Portugal’s Prodigal Son. Having honed his skills on smaller, perfect waves on the beaches of Ericeria, as he also worked in his family’s surf shop, he eventually answered the call and advanced upon Nazare. Once in Nazare, Lourenço met and eventually partnered up with Francisco Roque de Pinho. The two of them founded and now run their team, The Red Herrings.
Ex Con Tow Team
Leila
Photographer
Brazil
One of Nazare’s many professional surf photographers, This capable Brazillian, Leila is in a newish relationship with Ex-Con Tow’s Rob Gordon. These two form a very unique pair, considering they do not even speak each others language -yet!
Oskar
Surfer
Artist
USA
A recent resident of Nazare, Oskar Sheldon brings his charge and his neo-surreal art. Originally a Langer team member, Oskar has started his own operations, gained his own warehouse, and has also become a business partner with Lino. While his relationship with David Langer is testy at best, Oskar is truly a wildcard in the surf. For Oskar though, its not all about surf. With his business partner Rob, they now have exciting new deals cooking, the kind of things they dreamed about together through some very long years - back when they were cell mates.
Product Manager
Business Man
Jet Ski Pilot
USA
Rob came to Nazare the business partner of Oskar. His interests are in catching the wave in another manner. He has that gold miner look in his eye and he sees Nazare as a bustling boom town. While he supports Oskar in his surfing endeavors, and trains as a jet ski pilot, his long term goals are always present. Yes, this is fertile ground for an entrepreneur like Rob, but does Nazare really need a tequila bar?
The Community
Lino
Business Owner
Rescuer
Portugal
If there is one Portuguese man that has his finger on the pulse of Nazare, it is Lino. His company, Nazare Water Fun, is everywhere, serving tourists, providing shuttles into the action, a premium Jet Ski Dealership and Shop. Lino is also the landlord over all of the surf teams’ warehouses at the port…and when the surf is up, Lino has direct involvement, providing communications and rescue operations. and everyone knows that Lino is a force to be reckoned with.When Lino says “The Surfers are my kids”, he isn’t kidding. He has an individual relationship with each Surfer, and when they are in desperate need of real help, Lino is often the only person willing to step up.
Flor
Surfer
Argentina
Raised on a farm in rural Argentina, and trained in martial arts, Flor is the latest girl to bring her charge to Nazaré. A natural, talented beauty, the surfers of Nazaré have openly embraced her, and support her whenever possible. Often partnered with Rafael, Flor is working her way upward, into the towering waves.
Rafael
Surfer
Chili
As he explored and developed many of Chile’s big wave surfing spots, Rafael became the country’s most famous waterman and also the face of Ford Trucks in South America. Now a Surfer and homeowner in Nazare, Rafael brings his own unique style, power and grace to the arena - as well as his spirited antics that cannot be ignored. In this group, Rafael is considered the wildcard!
Koxa
Surfer
Big Wave Record Holder
Brazil
There is not a surfer alive that does not know about Koxa’s “Bomb”, the biggest wave ever surfed in all of history. This Amazing wave propelled Koxa to international fame, and into the Guinness Book of World Records. But soon thereafter Koxa’s record was broken by a German surfer…or was it?! Today Koxa is at the epicenter of the greatest controversy in modern surfing, but let’s be honest…is it even possible to accurately measure these waves? In any case, Koxa’s eyes are always looking to the horizon. A fierce competitor, Koxa knows that he has not yet surfed the biggest wave of his life -
Vitor
Surfer
Brazil
Vitor Faria - With his hawk-like visage, and seemingly chiseled out of Stone, Vitor outwardly represents strength, focus and determination, but also brings forth an infective, warm smile. Partnered with Rodrigo Koxa, the pair makes a formidable team, always ready to compete in the fiercest of waves.
Rui
Jet Ski Mechanic
Portugal
A Portuguese mechanic that has worked all over the world, Rui now has his mech talents concentrated upon keeping the Surfer’s Jet Skis functioning, while also trying to keep his business afloat. Rui is quite sharp and can be very direct, but at the same time he is also kind and quite fair. An essential member of this small community, Rui keeps all the gears turning.