Nathan, Ivan Florence Kick Off Euro Slab Tour In Icy Emerald Isle Barrels (Video)

When one is as committed to chasing swells and scoring as Nathan Florence is, every decision matters. Posting up in Ireland over the last week or two with his brother Ivan and filmer Zoard, they've been taking full advantage of an active early season in the Atlantic.

"It's been pretty sleepy in the Pacific so far," Nathan explained from the blue carpet at the SURFER Big Wave Challenge awards in Nazare, Portugal, last weekend. "I think we'll stick around Europe for awhile and see what we can find ... let everyone else worry about those first couple swells at home."

How committed is Nathan to the pursuit? Well, he was on the fence about popping over from Ireland to Portugal for the awards for fear of missing a proper paddle swell at Mullaghmore. After some deliberation, and a bit of cajoling, him, Mr. Cool and Zoard pulled the trigger and made the trip. We wouldn't have blamed him if he'd gone surfing, hell, that's why we were giving him the award, but it was great to see him on stage taking his second straight Surfer of the Year award.

Best part about Nathan and company, they do it all with humility and a smile on their bearded faces. When Nathan, Ivan, Zoard and company rocked up to the SIMA Watermans Awards earlier this summer, where Nathan was accepting Surfer of the Year honors, it was all good times and good vibes. That's the magic they're bringing to surfing. As they say, the best surfer is the one having the most fun, and Nathan is having a hell time!