Tiago Pires is a surfing sensation in Portugal and a rising star on the international scene. He's a two-time winner of the Buondi Billabong Pro ('05, '06) in his hometown of Ericeira, and finished 5th on the ASP WQS in 2007. Pires will join the ASP World Tour as the first Portuguese surfer to qualify and will be a crucial addition to the growing number of Europeans on the Dream Tour.

The dynamic natural-footer has increased his preparation for this season by rotating early morning surf sessions with intensive gym routine, as well as taking trips to long pointbreaks where he can relax, loosen up and have fun. Pires has proven himself in a variety of conditions, and the dream venues of the ASP World Tour should provide the European with the perfect forum to display his progressive brand of high-performance surfing.

weight: 154 lbs (70 kilos)

height: 5'6" (170 cm)

stance: Regular (natural) foot

sponsors: Billabong wetsuits and clothing,TMN mobile, Von Zipper eyewear, Kustom footwear, Nixon watches, Red Bull energy drinks, Pukas surfboards and Ericeira Surf Shop

shapers: DHD, Chilli, Tokoro, Eric Arakawa and Peter Daniel's

quiver: 5'11", 6'0", 6'1", 6'2", 6'4", 6'6"

favorite wave: Coxos, Cave and Safi

favorite maneuver: Tubes and carves

favorite surfers: Ricardo Pires, Mica Lourenço, Miguel Fortes, Ruben Gonzalez and Kelly Slater

2008 Rating: 27

2008 Points: 2371

2008 earnings: $36,900.00

Career earnings: $270,350.00

highest ASP World Tour rating: Rookie on ASP World Tour in 2008

years on ASP World Tour: 2008 will be Tiago's 1st year on tour

elite inception: 2008

hard yards: Has competed on the ASP WQS since '99

honor roll: Eurosima Athlete of the Year 2007

elite tour victories: (0)