Meet Red Bull Rising Athlete Michael Bourez

The nickname Spartan tells a lot us about Michael Bourez. His body is seemingly chiseled out of hard granite and his ability and courage is unquestionable. Destined to take over the mantle from fellow Tahitian Manao Drollet as the best surfer at the world's heaviest wave, Teahupoo, Michael is the complete surfer. Last year he beat world champion Kelly Slater in three feet French beachbreaks at the Quiksilver Pro and while his big-wave act is well established, it's his pure natural  talentthat  will see him reach the upper echelons of surfing. Quiet, respectful, funny and hard as nails, it is no surprise why he is the wild card in the Red Bull Rising pack.