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November 20, 2008
4127 visits
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It's been awhile, to put it lightly, since San Diego's had new representation on the World Tour.
When Rob Machado and Taylor Knox broke into the ranks of the then WCT as two new faces of a new generation, it was 1993. 15 years. That's some kind of drought.
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You're out in Hawaii right now. Are you staying for the season? Yeah. I'm out here for November and beginning part of December. I'm want to get some big Pipe and Sunset in while I'm out here. You had a solid year on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, jumping 16 places in the ratings to finish eighth. I know you'd set a goal of finishing in the Top 5. Are you disappointed at all with the way things turned out? I was pretty bummed out about not making it to Worlds, but I still have a couple more years in the Pro Junior, so hopefully at least by next year. Looking back, for you, what were the key moments of the year? Well, probably the one event that was a big one was the four-star in HB. I wish I would have done a little better in that one just because it was worth so much more than all the other Juniors. The Billabong Pro Junior Ponto was held at your home break. It also just happened to be your best result of the year -- a third place finish. Just coincidence or was it a home field advantage? [Laughs] I think it was a little advantage, just 'cause Ponto is pretty shifty and I surf out there a bunch so I was psyching to have a contest in C-bad. San Diego has a bunch of good surfers down there, but lately the top guys are coming out of North County, like Austin Ware, Che Stang, Ricky Whitlock, and that's just a few but there's a bunch.
Reilly on whether SD or North County has bragging rights as the better talent pool.
Looking forward, what's your competitive plan and goals for '09? Are you going to continue to do the Pro Junior Series or are you going to start doing more WQS events? Well, my main goal for next year is to make it to World Juniors. So as far as the WQS events go, I'm just gonna get into events that I can so I don't lose my seed for the following years. If I do pretty well in the WQS next year then my focus might turn more towards that. The life of young pro surfer can be littered with bells and whistles, but what separates those who fall off and those who make it is drive. That said, what motivates you? Being able to surf for a living. It's a dream job, really. You get to travel the world and meet new people, which, right there, is my motivation. What's more fulfilling, a contest win or a good freesurf? I actually really enjoy doing contests so contest win would probably be better but I'm gonna have to go with a good freesurf 'cause I always feel better after one of those. Who, in your eyes, are the three best surfers under 20 in San Diego? And, no, you don't count. Well, gonna have to go with Gabe Garcia, Duran Barr, and Tilor Mcginity. I may be a little biased with the C-bad boys. What region has the better surfers, North County or San Diego? San Diego has a bunch of good surfers down there, but lately the top guys are coming out of North County, like Austin Ware, Che Stang, Ricky Whitlock, and that's just a few but there's a bunch. Growing up, I'm sure you were conscious of another Carlsbad Kid who made it big on Tour. Given that the upper echelon of the surfing world is so small, do you and Taylor talk at all or is it just something where you'll see each other out surfing and maybe chat it up in the water? Yeah, well I've always looked up to Taylor, and yeah we see each other here and there. He is usually out of town so when we are able to surf it's pretty cool. He's also the nicest guy you'll ever meet. One of my heroes for sure. Want to see more from San Diego? Click here to go to the Surfline San Diego archive. SURFLINE HOME PAGE MORE SURF NEWS |
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