Pro surfers and best friends Leo Fioravanti and Kanoa Igarashi's recent trip to Japan and Taiwan had all the things they love - surfing, traveling and eating - all with a large dose of healthy competition. Whether it's riding shotgun or gunning down a barrel, these friends never let the competition between them ease up. Why? Because it's fun.

Leo Fioravanti is from Rome, Italy and Kanoa Igarashi's family is from Tokyo, Japan. These best friends both hail from international cities known for their food and culture – but they also have another thing in common – they’re both pro surfers who spend most of the year traveling to the best waves in the world.

On a recent surf trip to Japan, Kanoa was stoked to play tour guide for Leo. They cruised to Kanoa’s favorite karaoke bars, restaurants, shops, temples and surf spots. Leo can’t wait to return the favor and take Kanoa on a trip to Rome some day soon. Check out the Japan trip here.

Even at age 16, Kanoa is a seasoned traveler, so we asked him about his travel essentials to make packing for your next surf trip that much easier.



1. Surfboard: Bradley Macabi (5'10" x 18 3/16" x 2/6")
2. Pasta Rigatoni Barilla - Mom is with me now so she can cook me pasta!
3. Homework notebook: I keep on studying while traveling
4. Fins: FCS 2 Carver M
5. GoPro Hero3+ Black
6. Gucci wallet from my mum
7. PRI Travel Stick
8. Quiksilver Brigg Scallop 18” boardshort
9. Apple laptop + Quiksilver travel case
10. Quiksilver sunglasses

Over the past couple of lay days the pros have been taking every wave as it comes and at times it’s been getting pretty hectic at Snapper. Check out our Instagram round up, or as we like to call it, Instagram for the lazy. For more coverage of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, visit quiksilver.com/progoldcoast @kellyslater @jaggarbartholomew stole @peterkinglajolla's camera and got this one of me in round 1 at Snapper his first time shooting surfing. Not bad. Thanks for the shot, boys. @snaketales Afternoon session at Snapper!! 300 guys out but some nuggets. @joelparko plucked a sick one @boskophoto Well last night at snapper was hectic, 800 people out or more, it was ruthless out there, I saw so many heavy drop ins, people seem to have some sort if neck disorder out there, they can't seem to turn their heads to the left to see if anyone is on the wave. I'm really happy that my old mate @mfanno is in good health after some KOOK dropped in on him and went over the falls with his board aim at mick, it was HEAVY!! I wish people would just give the boys some respect, it's their livelihood. @floresjeremy Waves were going off today. The bank is amazing / can't wait to surf a heat with no one out ! #quikpro @josh_kerr84 Snapper has been showing off its ruler edge bank with some absolute mini drainers! #fun @filipetoledo i always wanted to be jack johnson @ozwright Got away from the goldy yesterday and shot with my good mate @craigparryphotography refreshing to have good waves with no crowds! @rosyhodge Starstruck waterman // Mark Cunningham #makeitgolden @snaketales Zarrrrrrr a couple at D bar today. @mikypicon thought he won our heat but I don't think so!! Hahhaa thanks for the slice pic @boskophoto @peter_mel #layday @quiksilver and @roxy Pro. Made it out for a couple waves. Thanks Wax Suzuki for the photos.

Leo Fioravanti and Kanoa Igarashi don't have a "standard" life compared to other 16 year olds. For starters, they don't go to day school, they travel the world ... and they're pro surfers. On a recent surf trip to Kanoa's native Japan and Taiwan they explain what it's like to be living the dream.

As they’re on tour for most of the year and travel shooting photos and video during free surf trips in between, sometimes at a moments notice, they can pack for a trip with their eyes closed.

We asked Kanoa about his travel essentials to make packing for your next surf trip that much easier.



Kanoa Igarashi's it's in the bag

1. Notebook to document every trip and contest
2. Vertra sunblock
3. Quiksilver wallet
4. FCSII Accelerator fins
5. iPhone 5s
6. Mophie iPhone battery cover
7. GoPro Hero3+ Black
8. Portable speaker loaned from Leo Fioravanti
9. Channel Islands custom surfboard (5'7" x 18 2/8 x 2 1/8)
10. Quiksilver OG SCALLOP boardshort 19"

Tiago

doing the early morning Snapper Rocks surf check and contemplating his next heat against Kelly Slater in round three. He's feeling pretty good after coming up trumps in his second round against Jordy Smith. The underdogs of round two of the Quik Pro, Tiago and Travis, rocked the boat ­and with Tiago pumped to bring his A-game in the next round, will he keep it rocking?

Here's Leo with his surfer's survival kit – when you're on tour for most of the year you only travel with the essentials. Yesterday the waves were pumping but poor old Leo had to check-in online with his school back home in Italy. He matches the determination he brings to surfing to his schoolwork, so he powered through and got back out there looking to get shacked.

After a strong round one win against Jordy Smith and Brett Simpson, Freddy P dropped by to hang with Timo and Bosko and watch the rest of the heats on Fuel TV. As soon as the heats start, photographers Timo and Bosko can sit back and relax and watch the Pro from the comfort of their pop-up studio where they've been shooting our surfers. Suits Bosko fine as he can do a running commentary on the Pro while eating his favourite snack of Red Bull and Vegemite sandwiches. Bosko needs all the energy he can get before he goes out to shoot the guys free surfing.

Best mates Leo and Kanoa recently did a surf trip through Japan and Taiwan. Kanoa's family is originally from Japan so they took their time discovering the culture ­and epic surf spots. Here they're with team mate John Mel feeling stoked checking out the film we made of their trip being released soon.

Filmed after recovering from a broken leg, California’s Kanoa Igarashi takes advantage of some of the best around his hometown of Huntington Beach and the down in the warm waters of Central America have to offer.

This year's King of the Groms is 100% digital, online voting will decide the champions of tomorrow! If aged between 13-16yrs old and you've got what it takes to compete in the International Final, post your video on http://quiksilverlive.com that shows your best action and tricks as well as some fun vibes that's gonna get you some votes!

Post your clip (max 1.30minutes) before June 30th. Voting opens on the 1st of July until 31st July, the top 20 videos voted per region go through to the King of the Groms Godfathers voting panel for the second and final regional selections! The 15 Winners will be announced August 1st who will compete in the International Final, during the Quiksilver Pro France 2013! Now it's up to you to get wild and creative!