Name: Tiago Pires
Nicknames: Saca, The Portuguese Tiger
Hometown: Ericeira, Portugal
Age: 29
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Billabong, Redbull, TMN, Pukas, Von Zipper, Kustom, Nixon, Ericeira Surf Shop

After decades of the Aussies and the Americans monopolizing the competitive surfing circuits, Europe has finally produced some great surfers to dispute their dominance.  One serious challenger is the phenomenal Portuguese surfer Tiago Pires.

Tiago “Saca” Pires has risen up the ranks of the World Qualifying Series since 1999, and has just finished his second year in a row on the ASP World Tour.  It was through hard work and determination that Pires made history by becoming the first Portuguese surfer to qualify for the ASP's tour.


Born in Lisbon, but brought up in the town of Ericeira, Portugal, it is little wonder that Pires is such a great surfer.  Surfing in Ericeira is an amazing experience with surf that suits beginner level right through to Pro.  Inspired to surf by his brother Ricardo, Pires achieved the title of European Junior Champion in 1999.  In the same year he made the surfing world take notice when he was runner up to Hawaiian local Sunny Garcia at Sunset.

However, attaining his place on the ASP dream tour wasn't straight forward.  It has taken Pires 8 years of competing in the grind of the WQS to earn his spot.  He has received huge support from not only his family, friends and sponsors, but the Portuguese people themselves.

In Portugal Pires is a national hero, having inspired a new generation of surfers to get out there.  He has even helped bring tow-in surfing to Portuguese shores.  Back in 2005, he joined the mainly French Billabong crew in surfing the massive 20ft plus waves at Cascais, Portugal with the help of some jetskis and a whole lot of courage.  He was the standout surfer of the day, and brought national attention to not only surfing but the progressive sport of tow-in.


Since his ascension to the ASP, Pires has represented the “Euroforce” as they are affectionately known.  Jeremy Flores, Miky Picon, Marlon Lipke and Aritz Aranburu were his 2009 European tour buddies, and push him to go even further with his surfing.  This year has seen him climb the rankings to his highest yet: finishing in 24th. 2009 has also witnessed his monumental defeat of Kelly Slater at the Quiksilver Pro France in Hossegor.  In the churning waves of La Graviere Pires achieved his best competition result of the year, coming in 3rd after Bede Durbidge and contest winner (and machine) Mick Fanning.

As things stand now, Pires has secured his place on 2010's ASP world tour and will aim to stay in the Top 32 so that he can compete in his home event, the Rip Curl Pro towards the end of the year. The event will be held in Peniche, one of the best destinations for a surfing holidays portugal

Tune into the clip below at 57sec to see some great footage of Tiago carving it up.