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INTERVIEW: BOBBY MARTINEZ
California's highest-ranked ASP surfer enters 2009 Tour with no major clothing sponsor
By:
Marcus Sanders
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February 20, 2009
29610 visits
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As Jordy and Dane proved once again last year,
being a talented, hyped rookie on tour is a no easy task. It takes consistency, focus, determination and lots and lots of work. Bobby Martinez knows this. And again, despite the Aussie invasion and Slatermania, Bobby's been right there in the top ten since, finishing 10th in 2007 and 9th in 2008 - the highest ranked California surfer on tour. |
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But when photos surfaced of him riding stickerless boards on the North Shore after the Triple Crown, and then in California's dismal winter, many surfers were surprised. So with Snapper right around the corner, we figured it was time to catch up and check in with the Santa Barbara goofyfoot's sponsorship situation. First off, what have you been doing to get ready for Snapper? I've been hitting the primo gym, hanging with the wife, family, friends and my dogs. There was no waves at all [at home], so I hadn't been surfing. It was the worst winter I've ever seen where I live. I've been in Australia for about two weeks now. [And the waves have been pumping.] Can you talk a little about your split with your sponsors this year? I parted ways with Channel Islands because of my board situation. I wasn't really finding the right equipment for me and I decided to part ways. I switched to DHD boards, and for me it was what I was looking for. I just felt like I wanted to be riding boards that take me in a direction I wanted to go. I still really love all the people who make up Channel Islands and there are no hard feelings, it was just simply because of my equipment. As for what happened with Reef, that's a whole different story. To make a long story short, I wasn't happy at Reef for quite some time. I've heard rumors saying that I'm greedy and I just wanted money. But what happened was deeper than just money; I left my contract two years early 'cause I wasn't happy. I decided to leave with no other offers. Also I left knowing I wouldn't find a sponsor, but in my heart I wasn't willing to stay at a place I didn't want to be. I don't regret anything I've done. How did the lack of sponsorship affect your time between events? Were you shopping yourself around or just concentrating on training for 2009? I was never looking for sponsors personally. I have a manager who helps me deal with that. That type of work is his job, and mine is to just stay focused on what lies ahead of me. In the time between events with no sponsor, I've lived my life the same I would've have done if I was still with a sponsorship for clothing. I don't feel comfortable at any event -- they're all the same to me. I'm still new to this tour and it's only my fourth year, so everywhere I go is still very new.
How will not having a major sponsorship affect your approach to competition? I still feel very strongly in my heart about accomplishing a goal, and not having a clothing company sponsoring me will not change my out look on anything. I feel I do have a major sponsor, Monster energy drink, along with the help of my other sponsors, Swatch, Ocean and Earth, Kicker and my boards, DHD. I feel I'm still in a very privileged position. What are your plans for 2009? (WQS, photo trips, etc?) My plan for this year is to have fun. It's to do my best and just enjoy myself, too. I know this stuff is going to end one day, and then it'll be time to enter the real world, so while I'm doing what I love, which is surfing, I just gotta enjoy it. You've finished in the top ten since your rookie year and you're the highest rated CA pro going into 2009. What's been the most difficult part of staying on top over the years and do you think this year will be any different? It's difficult, definitely. We surf against the best every event we're in, so it's hard all year long, from traveling to surfing in your heat. People think it's a great life and everything, but I'm sure every person who does what we do will tell you the same: it ain't always what it seems, and if you ain't in a good mind frame, that can be the beginning of your downfall. I think mentally and physically, you just have to stay strong. What boards are you riding, and are they significantly different than what you have ridden in the past? I'm riding DHD boards. I can't honestly tell you if they're different. DHD would be the one to ask; he's the brains to the shaping, I just know how they feel under my feet. But to answer your question from my standpoint, they feel the same -- they feel like the best boards I've ever ridden in my life. So they still feel the same as last year. What event are you most comfortable at? What event are you least comfortable at? I don't feel comfortable at any event -- they're all the same to me. I'm still new to this tour and it's only my fourth year, so everywhere I go is still very new. MORE SURF NEWS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |