When you hear touring surfers say “I’ve been focusing on my equipment a lot lately” they’re not just talking about working with shapers. With today’s seven figure prize purses, surfers spend the off-season in Olympic style training facilities, boosting into foam pits, and testing new competitive sportswear technology like they were Apolo Ohno.

The first stop on the World Championship meant the unveiling of the world’s best surfers’ new signature designs they rely on for the marathon 9-month dream tour. The challenging conditions at the Quiksilver Pro Snapper Rocks required competitors to generate their own speed, rather than the wave propelling them through sections. Judges awarded the highest scores for aerial maneuvers, a trick that would be impossible with the constricting old nylon trunks of yesteryear.

Here’s a few of our favorite world title contenders, and the trunks they depended on for max agility and performance.

Slater’s Cyhper Nomad trunks feature a diamond dobby fabric that reduces contact with skin, therefore minimizing the dreaded “balloning” or trapped water that acts like a parachute. Kelly landed an equal 5th, which we hope retains his interest to pursue #12.

Jordy’s semi-final finish came via powerful railwork and 100m long combos. He had to muscle his big frame extra hard in the soft conditions, but managed to whip his tail around and take out contest favorite Joel Parkinson. His O’Neill Neurosis features 4-way epic stretch technology helped him blow up, and start his 2012 world title campaign.

Daynolds’ tour aspiration are less predictable than Slater’s, but we always know he’ll put on a show. In just two heats, he stomped 3 of the best 5 maneuvers of the contest. His freakishly agile and aptly named Cypher Revolt boardshorts features a poly-spandex fabric blend.

Parko’s Platinum-X Flux trunks by Billabong have ergonomic panels and water-repellant epic stretch fabric. His attention to those features have kept him a title threat into his 12th year on tour.

Taj’s intense dedication to training and equipment paid off with a victory at the 2012 Quiksilver Pro. His ocean friendly trunks made from recycled plastic bottles fall just above the knee. His Komplete shorts use zero gravity quad stretch, so they can have a less baggy fit without restricting motion. CONGRATS TAJ!!!