The battle in British surfing is finally over. Surfing Great Britain and the UK Pro Surf Association (UKPSA) reached an historic agreement over future co-operation for the benefit of surfing in the country.

The UKPSA has operated independently of the NGB for a number of years, with elite and professional surfers competing in events around the country for the prestigious titles.

Contests run by the UKPSA have become recognised as setting the standards for efficient and professional contest management in recent years.

Surfing GB has been revitalised over the last few months by committees of dedicated volunteer surfers, led by iconic and inspirational figures, such as former British and European Champion, Nigel Semmens.

John John Florence has conquered in the 2012 Billabong Rio Pro, after defeating Joel Parkinsonin three-to-four foot (one metre) waves on offer in the overcast skies of Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The talented Hawaiian surfer conquered his first WCT trophy.

John John Florence opened his slot of cards with two very good waves, in the first three exchanges, scoring 9.10 and 7.27 point waves in the early minutes. Backside air included.

Meanwhile, Parkinson could not lock a decent score that would put in the game, again. Florence's versatile surfing skills paid off and his opponent was frozen in the first half of the final heat.

With ten minutes remaining, Parkinson gets a quality set wave to comeback into the final: 8.27 points. But it was too late and John John Florence was handling the priority with cold blood.

Barra da Tijuca and its powerful three-to-five foot (1-1.5 metre) barrels provided the ideal canvas for the world's best surfers to push the limits of high-performance beachbreak surfing.

It's quarterfinals time and Australia is the leading nation with one surfer in each heat fighting for victory at the 2012 Billabong Pro Rio. Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning, Julian Wilson and Josh Kerr.

Adriano de Souza posted the event’s only perfect 10-point ride for a critical forehand barrel ride. De Souza went on to take a Round 5 win in a rematch of last year’s final, topping Taj Burrow, in a tough battle to advance to the Quarterfinals.

“I was focused on the right, but I knew there was a little channel and I went over to the left,” De Souza said. “Luck is really going my way and I’m stoked. The waves were really hard and I’m stoked to make it through this heat.”

Surfers attending the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) will have access to a 40-board testing quiver provided by three of the planet’s leading surfboard shapers.

Darren Handley Designs, Channel Island Surfboards and Stacey Surfboards will provide equipment for a 40-board test centre as part of the $2 million HPC.

Funded by the Federal Government, the HPC is a world-first facility dedicated to the development of elite surfers and coaches and will ensure Australia maintains its place as a world leader in the sport.

Designed in consultation with the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission, the HPC will be officially opened on June 15.

Broken surfboards, heavy wipe-outs and crazy barrels. The Billabong Rio Pro is back at the primary venue of Barra da Tijuca, in challenging four-to-six foot (1.5 - 2 metre) waves.

Tiago Pires and Michel Bourez are the only ones already qualified for Round 4. Adam Melling led the day’s proceedings with superior barrel-riding skills.

The powerful natural-footer charged into two deep tubes, earning the day’s highest single wave score of 9.67 out of 10 en route to the day’s highest heat total of 17.00 out of 20.

John John Florence led the rookie class with unmatched versatility this morning, driving through barrels and punting critical airs in the pounding conditions to take a dominant Round 2 victory over replacement surfer Willian Cardoso, with a strong 16.20 out of 20 heat total.