The commentator’s booming voice stretches along the sand and out into the water before us.

“Up in this final, we have one of our most competitive rivalries. Surfing in the blue jersey, we have Zeke Brady, currently ranked number two on this leg of the tour. And coming up against him, in the yellow leader’s jersey, we have Jake Carson. You’re going to want to sit up and pay attention here, folks, these two guys have a tendency to fight to the bitter end.”

He goes on to rattle off some stats and whatever other drivel he deems important.

It doesn’t matter what else some guy has to say.

It’s just me, Zeke and the waves.

I rub a little more wax into my board and then toss it on top of my towel.

I tug my board under my arm and approach the water’s edge.

I can see Zeke out of the corner of my eye, on my right.

“You ready, Brady?” I smirk at him.

He dutifully ignores me, but I don’t miss the tick of his jaw.

I chuckle and shake my head.

“Always so tense, maybe that’s your problem, bro, you need to relax. Maybe then you’ll finally get a win.”

“We’re just waiting on the jet skis so we can get these surfers in the water and get this final under way,” the commentator informs the crowd.

I can hear people calling my name as I stretch out my muscles, preparing to throw myself into the ocean.

“Keep an eye out here for Jake to take the lead early, that’s his style and he’ll be going for priority out there ahead of Zeke.”

We’re close now.

I can almost feel the ocean engulfing me already.

I turn, my eyes scanning the crowded beach for one person in particular.

The beach is packed today – everyone in town has come out to get a slice of the action.

I find her standing at the front of the crowd, looking directly at me.

She knows this part of the routine as well as I do.

I stare directly at her and bring my hand up to my mouth.

I blow her a kiss and shoot her the grin I know drives her wild.

I watch her gasp – she can’t seem to help it – even though this is miles from the first time we’ve done this.

She composes herself and slowly lifts her hand towards her face.

Here it is.

I might even enjoy this part more than the waves I can hear crashing behind me.

She lifts her middle finger in the air and points it in my direction, her expression shooting daggers.

I chuckle as I turn back around, just in time for the skis to appear in front of us, waiting to take us out into the line up.

“Damn… your sister looks bangin’ today, bro,” I taunt Zeke as I run out into the crashing waves.

“I’ll kill you,” I hear him yell after me.

I laugh louder. I’d like to see him try.