Bobby Martinez (May 26, 1982-)

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"It's not like I'm the first Mexican to ever surf."

So Bobby Martinez told Surfer Magazine in 2007. Maybe not. But he is the first Mexican American to ever qualify for the WCT, a major feat when you consider the California coast was once part of Mexico. But Bobby's no OEgangsta.' And he's not surfing to "represent his homies". He's one of mainland America's most resilient competitors and stylish backsiders. Period. A goofyfoot answer to fellow Rincon product Tom Curren. Only without the world titles.

Thing is, 10 years ago pundits thought he'd have stockpiled several silver ASP cups for the Golden State. Martinez hit the Santa Barbara surf at the age of 6. The mushy right-hand point Leadbetter's served as his preschool before graduating to Rincon. Soon after, he began an unprecedented assault on the NSSA, capturing a record seven national titles. At the time, all of America was looking for "the next Kelly Slater." For much of his amateur career, Martinez felt the pressure to fill that vacuum. But Bobby seemed bent on proving such expectations didn't amount to a hill of frijoles.

"I put more pressure on myself than anyone else does," he insisted shortly before going pro. "I don't really care about all that stuff."

He soon made choices to match his words, burning several big-time deals with major sponsors - along with a whole lot of grade-A chronic. After spending much of early 2000s far from qualifying, it appeared Bobby was just a browner version of Dave Eggers, a blazing prospect who quickly fizzled out. But once again, Martinez answered his pundits. In 2005, he self-funded the bulk of his WQS run to qualify. The following year, he finished in 5th to become 2006 ASP Rookie of the Year. And he's stayed in the top 10 ever since ^~winning the WCT events at Mundaka and Teahupo'o along the way.Twice.

While Martinez insists he never stopped trying, he does credit the competitive turnaround to making smarter decisions, like touring with good buddies and positive influences the Hobgood brothers and stubbing out the blunts for good. Extinguishing his "I don't give a shit" image, however, proved a little bit tougher. He surfed all of 2009 without a major sponsor then finished the year by putting his 2006 Mundaka a Spanish-themed JS thruster on EBay, saying "It's taking up room in my house and it's just something I don't really want." But he kept a solid 9th place rating - and his confidence - which was apparently impressive enough for clothing giant O'Neill, who picked up him up a month before the 2010 season.

No matter his sponsorship situation, don't expect Bobby to change too much. Image and business deals always come second to his competitive drive. As he told Surfline in 2009, "I still feel very strongly in my heart about accomplishing a goal, and not having a clothing company sponsoring me will not change my outlook on anything."

-- Jason Borte (updated, December 2009)

Click here to find all the Bobby Martinez photos and editorial on Surfline.