Speaking from his state-of-the-art production facility in East Java, Indonesia, Mez commented: “We are stoked to have signed Jake to VS. I have been closely watching his progression over the last couple of seasons and Jake has graduated from the hot grom of yesterday to a solidified professional rider. He has benefited from his move to the West Side of Australia, which has enabled Jake to take his surfing to the next level. From riding fun wedges, to taming gigantic kegs in the outer ocean, Jake is the perfect candidate to push the boundaries for the next evolution of the VS project”

Jake’s first efforts as a VS team rider will be to tackle Hawaii’s famed North Shore. While on “The Rock”, Jake will unveil his new VS set-up at the first event for 2011 of the IBA Grand Slam Tour; The Pipeline Pro. With his breakthrough IBA victory in Ferrol, Spain last season, at only 21 years of age, Jake is a genuine World Title Contender for the 2011 Tour.

This year the VS Project takes on a different direction. With 2 of the foundation shapers of the project taking the next step in their respective careers, the dynamic of the shaper aspect has evolved. Todd Quigley heads up the shaping and design facility in Australia, where he will work closely with the 3 riders to develop and refine their boards. Nick Mesritz is taking on a more active role working closely with both Todd and the riders to provide expert knowledge in the areas of construction and material design. With Todd as head shaper, Mez running the VS production in Indonesia and the riders taking care of business in the water, this 1, 2, 3 synergy will undoubtedly deliver one of the most progressive bodyboard ranges in the world.