The North Shore - visiting Billabong, Quiksilver houses

I had a fun, interesting and informative day Tuesday on the North Shore.

Michael Tomson took me on a tour of the area to give me the lay of the land, and I got to see his beautiful home overlooking Sunset Beach.

I then went to the Billabong house at Pipeline, where Global Marketing Manager Graham Stapelberg introduced me to some key Billabong executives from around the world and gave me a tour of the house. We also talked a bit about the upcoming Billabong Pipeline Masters, which should start Thursday with the big swell that is arriving.

Graham said the surf forecast is one of the best they’ve had in years for the event.

I then spent a few hours with Quiksilver CEO Bob McKnight at the Quiksilver house right in front of Pipeline, watching about two dozen or more of the world’s best surfers jockeying for waves and putting on a show.

Above are photos from the day.