How I got started

I began surfing when I was 13 with my best friends. We all pushed each other and continued to progress until we were some of the better surfers anywhere we ventured. We were sponsored by the local surfshop and board maker when we were 19 - 22.

Goals for the Future

Compete in CSF / Surfride West Coast series, possibly do the NSSA and No Fear Series

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

At the contest in Santa Barbara, Tom Curren`s son was competing in the junior`s division and thus Tom was around for the contest. During the awards ceremony, I had asked for a picture with him and afterwards told him that I was pretty certain that I took 1st. Straightaway, they called my name for 4th and, humble as always, he still congratulated me, but gave me a funny look. I collected my trophy and got out of there - fast.

Describe your style...

My style is to compose a series of well-linked solid maneuvers and end with a riskier higher scoring finishing move. Coming from Florida originally, I excell over most in closed out beach break situations. I can perform all of the solid manuevers - off the tops, cutties, figure 8s, barrels and my strongest maneuver - the backside off the lip, with smoothness and minimal wasted body motion. I also do a lot of progressive manuevers such as aerials and 360s with regularity in both contests and free surfs. I find that the judges appreciate and score highest a ride combining well linked solid and progressive moves and therefore strive to consistantly incorporate both into my free surfs, training sessions and contests.

Do you like to travel? What's your best (clean) road trip story?

I love to travel. I have been all over Mexico and Baja, Central American travels include Costa Rica on 3 separate occasions, Maui and Lanaii, Hawaii, all over California, all over Florida and to the Carribean. The best road trip story was a late night jaunt to meet some friends at Robert`s Left down in Baja (about 3 hours below). We were driving late, very groggy and managed to get off the main dirt road as we made our way towards the ocean from the turn off. We started driving my friend`s 4x4 on what we thought was the road and ended up across some fields that had some pretty serious ravines for crop drainage. We ended up getting stuck right in the middle of a more serious ravine with all four tires spinning freely while the center of the undercarriage lay snuggly on the sand. It was midnight and so dark that we couldn`t make out our bearings to find our friends, so we waited and thought the only thing that could get us off this is a serious tow truck. We looked over and somehow, by the grace of God, a mack truck was driving very slowly around the dirt trails watering the ground to keep the dust to a minimum. He said he would pull us off, but had to get chains from his brother`s house and would return in 2 hours. We popped the tent for a mini siesta and woke up in a panic when his lights bore down on the tent. We thought we were getting run over and started running inside the tent like we were on a cartoon - tent literally spinning. When we came to our senses, he pulled us off, we gave him $20 and we were on our way with a great fire side story for our mates waiting at the campsight. Next day, we woke up early to stiff offshores 4-6` perfection, did the rock dance down to the break only to look back and see our tent flying about 20 feet in the air and bouncing down the dirt road because we forgot to weight it down. Definitely one for the grandkids.

Schools Attended

University of Central Florida, graduated 1992 B.S. Elementary Education UCSD, Graduated 1999, M.S. Elementary Ed. Administration