How Yago Dora Turns Every Season Into a Stepping Stone

It’s one of those heavy mornings at Cloudbreak where the reef feels alive, the wind is fresh, and every set rolls in like clockwork. No longboarders, no casuals, just the guys who are willing to throw themselves over ledging lefts and trust they’ll come out the other side. Yago Dora is one of them, sitting patiently in the pack, reading the swell like he’s seen this exact rhythm before. A few feet away is Griffin Colapinto, the Californian who’s finished twice in the top three of the World Surf League Championship.

Colapinto goes first, drives off the bottom, pulls up under the lip, only to have the section clamp shut. Dora doesn’t wait. He takes the next one, commits with a last-second swing, loads up, and throws a top-turn carve that cuts through the moment. At 29 years old, he wins the 2025 Lexus WSL Finals after narrowly missing out on competing the year before.

“It feels unreal still, remembering the day and the moment when it happened,” he says now that almost a month has passed. “I just remembered that a film started playing in my head after the buzzer sounded of this whole season, and all the ups and downs…it’s a dream coming true.”

Dora grew up in Florianópolis, the capital of Brazil’s Santa Catarina state, a place known as much for its seafood as its surf. He wasn’t an early prodigy, only getting on a board at 11 despite his father being a respected surf coach. But once he did, he moved quickly. By 15, he had signed with Volcom, a brand he still represents today and one he’d idolized as a kid. Six years later, at 21, he was on tour trading heats with the sport’s biggest names.

Related: How to Surf in 5 Simple Steps

But even after claiming a world title, Dora hasn’t lost sight of where he started or the work still ahead. One wave this season in particular reminded him of that. At the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro in Burleigh Heads, Australia, in May, he needed a 3.5 to advance, a tiny score by professional standards. The conditions were rough and the waves unpredictable. With less than a minute on the clock, he paddled back out, caught a wave, and nudged his score just high enough. It was a tense, almost out-of-control moment, the kind that tests every ounce of a surfer’s focus.

“There’s a lot of moments that were really important this season for me, but I feel like one that put me in a really good position was a hit in Australia,” he recalls. “Usually, the Australian leg is a little challenging for me because of the wave types; they’re hard waves to surf for my kind of surfing.”

For Dora, the work never stops. While surfing is obviously a huge passion of his, something he admits he’s lucky enough to do as his job, he’s always finding ways to get better.

“I feel like I’m always chasing the top, and that’s what’s been pushing me to be better each season,” he says. “And now that I know the way, I feel like that’s something that will push me now, this kind of work, the things I did this season, the focus I had, everything I did has led me here. I want to have the same dedication that I had this season for the upcoming seasons.”

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Author: Madison Freeman

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Set To Make Grand Ole Opry Debut

One of the most historic and iconic venues in all of music is opening its doors to new artists during its centennial celebration, and one of those artists will make their debut in a matter of weeks.

The Grand Ole Opry has seen the best of country music for the better part of the last 100 years, but as the lines blur between traditional country and the newer interpretations of the genre, more artists have been welcomed.

One artist who’s been a major part of country and American music history had yet to perform at the legendary venue, but he will perform at the Opry for the first time in mid-November.

A Music Legend Enters New Territory

Six-time Grammy winner James Taylor is set to make his debut at the Grand Ole Opry on November 11.

“The Opry has been built over the last 100 years in large part by songwriters and storytellers,” said executive producer Dan Rogers. “To have one of the very best ever with us to celebrate 100 years is amazing to so many of us.”

Taylor is best known as a singer and songwriter, with some of his most notable songs like “Fire and Rain” and “You’ve Got a Friend” hitting the top of the Billboard charts. He’s sold millions of albums during his decades-long career, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Taylor is making his Opry debut, but he has ties to the country genre. Artists like George Hamilton IV covered some of his songs, bringing “Carolina in My Mind” and “Sweet Baby James” to different audiences. Taylor also won one of his six Grammy awards for How’s the World Treating You?,” a collaborative effort with Opry member Alison Krauss of Union Station.

Taylor is making his debut at the Opry during a year in which several artists have joined the radio show and venue for the first time. Ringo Starr, Shinedown and Sabrina Carpenter are among the other artists who will or who already have played the Opry in 2025.

Taylor’s Historic Performance

Scotty Hastings, Jamey Johnson and Craig Morgan are all scheduled to perform at the Opry alongside Taylor on November 11. Actor Gary Sinise will also perform, along with his Lieutenant Dan Band.

The Grand Ole Opry is known as the world’s longest-running radio show, running from Nashville since its inception in 1925. It was originally known as the WSM Barn Dance, but adopted its current name in 1927.

Membership at the Opry is extremely exclusive, and only the top names in country music are eligible to receive an invite. Currently, there are only around 75 artists to represent the Opry as official members, including John Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs and Darius Rucker.

Fans can tune in to see the 77-year-old Taylor make his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at WSM Radio or on SiriusXM satellite radio at Willie’s Roadhouse – channel 56.

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Author: Kameron Duncan

Aldi’s Autumn-Inspired Chopping Block is the Best $10 You’ll Spend This Week

Aldi is becoming the “it” spot for all-things acacia wood. It seems like each week they drop at least one new or returning item that has multiple uses in the kitchen. I’ve written about their acacia wood lazy susans, serving bowls, cutting boards in multiple shapes and sizes and rotating caddys, to name a few, and fans continue to scoop them up, so Aldi keeps delivering.

Next week they’re bringing back the fan-favorite Crofton Acacia Wood Harvest Chopping Block in a leaf shape. This beautiful board is made of 100% acacia wood, which is an excellent material for cutting boards given its durability and scratch-resistance Plus, it won’t warp or harbor bacteria like some woods do. Its marbled look and common ombre appearance gives it a modern, yet rustic look that can fit in with any decor style.

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Crofton Acacia Wood Harvest Chopping Block

Aldi

Aldi’s Fan-Favorite Acacia Wood Harvest Chopping Block is Back, and Only $10

Its maple leaf shape gives a nod to autumn, making it the perfect addition to your kitchen and dining spread this holiday season. Whether you’re adorning it with a charcuterie spread of nuts, jams, chutneys, crackers, olives, cured meats and cheeses or are crafting a crudite platter with a trio of dips, it makes for a beautiful display piece. It’s also suitable as a cutting board, so if you’re getting ready to make a produce-heavy soup, this block will bring the ambiance of fall to your space.

Aldi recommends wiping the board clean with a soft, damp cloth and promptly drying it. Like their other acacia wood products, they suggest storing it out of the sun so it doesn’t become discolored or damaged.

Related: Kirkland’s $15 Sleek and ‘Useful’ Serving Tray and Bowl Set Will Come in Handy This Holiday Season

Aldi is also selling this chopping block in a pumpkin shape. Last year they offered both of these in their Finds seasonal section, and fans loved them, which is why they’ll be back on shelves October 8. “I cannot stop buying all the acacia wood boards from Aldi. They even had them in the shape of leaves! Going back for one tomorrow”, said one Facebook user. “[I] got the maple leaf last week, and went back for the other leaf today. Also picked up the set of two round boards”, commented another person.

And for just $9.99, we can see why customers are stocking up. Not only are they incredibly functional, they also make a showstopping display set up in your home. Grab a handful of different shapes and sizes, prop them up in a china cabinet or kitchen shelving and your decorating will be complete.

Related: West Elm’s ‘Perfect for Entertaining’ Modern Teak Wood Serving Bowl is Selling for Only $30

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Author: Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD, FAND

Clarks’ ‘Extremely’ Well-Made Chukka Boots Are Now Just $75

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why We Love This Deal

What if we told you that there is a better value chukka boot from the legendary Clarks brand? While its iconic and timeless Desert Boots get all the love (thanks to Mr. Steve McQueen), the boot isn’t without flaws. A better option for the modern man may be the Bushacre 3s, which feature the same silhouette, added durability, and a smaller cost. To make things even better, DSW is selling them for over 30% off.

Now just $75 at DSW, the Clarks Bushacre 3 Chukka Boots are 32% off their regular price of $110. That’s about half off the average price of the iconic Desert models, but these boots offer much better longevity. With over 150 five-star ratings on the retailer’s website, it’s easy to see why so many are making the switch.

Clarks Bushacre 3 Chukka Boots, $75 (was $110) at DSW

The Clarks Bushacre 3 Chukka Boots.

Courtesy of DSW

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What Shoppers Should Know

  • Style: Chukka
  • Colors: Dark brown, coffee brown
  • Materials: Leather, rubber
  • Sizes: 8 to 13

With the Bushacres, you get a boot with a longer shelf life thanks to its hard-wearing rubber soles. Unlike the Deserts, which utilize a crepe sole (which tends to wear out very fast, especially when walking on city streets and pavements), the Bushacres’ actual rubber lasts for seasons to come, is tougher, and quite grippy.

For added comfort, they are paired with Ortholite insoles, an upgraded midfoot structure, and infused with a shank to help them last even longer with enhanced comfort. These feel like a sneaker with good arch support, and break in super fast. Unlike the two previous iterations, these are not stiff.

With a thicker footbed and the use of a heel stabilizer, these are about as stable as possible right out of the box. With all of these upgrades (durability, comfort, stability), you get a better performing boot, yet still get that iconic chukka boot design. For shoppers, it’s a better version of the iconic Desert Boots in disguise.

This offering is also available at Amazon ranging at around $100. Zappos offers the same price with limited sizes, and Macy’s has them for $108.

Related: This Basic Cordless Drill Kit Is on Sale for $17 at Walmart

What Shoppers Are Saying

Out of the box comfort is a call out by many, noting they are ready to wear with no break-in period. Many love how much more durable this model is while retaining its iconic chukka looks. One owner of three Desert models said that the Bushacres “may be the most comfortable” of them all. They also love the insoles and the foot bed of these boots (the ultimate comfort), and paired with a classic style, they noted, “These boots [will] be in style in 30 years, just like they were 30 years ago.”

Another, who has owned their pair for over four years ago, noted the boots have “held up extremely well,” noting that even as many miles they have put on them, they still look brand new. “Extremely strong construction,” and the leather molds to your foot over time. They also mentioned that they’ve since purchased them again.

With a decent discount and an extra sale going on at DSW’s website, these Bushacres will likely sell out fast (sizing is already running low). Make sure you grab your pair today.

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Author: Jeff Turbett