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Mauricio of Viking Surfboards posing with me at Waimea Bay (notice the church tower in the background).
My Hawaiian Adventure Begins
Viking Surfboards is a Brazilian based company that is expanding globally and positioning itself in the U.S. market including the East Coast, West Coast and Hawaii. Most of Viking Surfboard's staff is of Brazilian accent and live up to their reputation as good natured, energetic and positive people. Mauricio (pictured above) was our team leader and looked over his team during their north shore stay. My father was my chaperone and was my constant companion during the duration of the trip.
My coach Josh Wilson is adamant about parental supervision during surf trips while surfers are in their teenage years. His experience growing up in the surf industry and winning eight titles while traveling the globe as a pre-teen and young man is paying huge benefits to me as a young teenager. "Drugs, drinking and partying are prevalent in almost all industries and the surf industry has a reputation that is well earned as a hotbed of partying and alternative lifestyle. Left alone teenagers and young adults often submit to peer pressure and the loneliness of travel. It's important for parents and sponsors to protect their young athletes and ensure that they have a good footing at an early age." Explains Josh.
The year of 2007 has been somewhat of a dream for me as I've been able to travel and experience places that many people will never get the opportunity to visit in their lifetime. Chasing swells in the late winter to Puerto Rico with mom and Josh, traveling to remote surf locations on Guatemala's west coast. Having a wonderful third annual Mainland Mexico trip with my father, competing in South California and going with the ESA AllStars to Australia and then off to surf mystical breaks in New Zealand. Finishing off the year's quarter with Eastern competitions at Cape Hatteras and finally a November trip to Hawaii.
I have to admit... It's been alot of fun but I really look forward to coming back home each trip and can relate to some of the tour pros that burn out on traveling, becoming homesick and needing the stability of family and friends. I look forward to coming home after weeks of traveling and surfing and being with my schoolmates and surfing my local breaks with my local wolf pack, watching movies with my sister and competing with Jassett, Emily and Nikki at our division competitions. It's comforting to be in a familiar environment after being away for so long. [continue...]
My first day at the shallow sharp reef break of Rocky Point. You can look west and see pipeline and Gas Chambers. Rocky Point has two breaks, Rocky Rights and Rocky Lefts and both are awesome but very crowded. Sunset Beach is almost immediately east of this remarkable surf break (below). I'm practicing my snaps off the top in the picture below. |
