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Back in October, a young, blonde powerhouse began showing up in the Venice lineup. The adorable goofy-foot with a backhand smack began turning heads up and down the beach prompting people to ask “Who’s that?!?”
We chatted with 17 year-old Rubiana (Rubi) Brownell to find out.
By Nicole Lynch
Where are you from and what brings you to Venice?
I was born in Santa Monica, and then my family moved to Costa Rica when I was four. I basically grew up there, so I consider myself to be from Costa Rica. I moved to Venice in October of last year. My dad works here and I do a lot of competing in Southern California and I needed to get used to the waves, so I used this as an opportunity to come here and train.
When did you start competing? How long have you been competing on the QS?
When I was like 13 years old, so about four years ago. I started doing the QS like 2 years ago. When I first started on the national circuit in Costa Rica I was doing well, so moving on the QS was the next step. I got into it pretty smoothly and easily.
So you like competing?
Yeah, for sure! For me more than anything just being a good surfer is my main goal, I care about that more than results. But competing really motivates me. Getting to travel around, you make the closest friendships with people from completely different parts of the world you would never go to. So it’s really cool at such a young age to have that experience while trying to make a career out of it.
When did you learn to surf?
I learned when I was 12. I have a brother who is six years older than me (Indy Brownell), and when my dad had kids his goal was to make sure his kids surfed. But me and my brother, neither of us wanted to – hahah! So he had to get my brother into it first, and that took a while, and then it was my turn. I didn’t want to but after like two months of hardcore surfing I fell in love with it and now I’m more grateful for that than anything.
Haha, so dad had to drag you to the beach?
Yep! It was easier for me than my brother, there was a part of me that just wanted to please him and make him happy. But it was a struggle at first, a lot of frustrating sessions. I was scared of the ocean even on an one foot day! A perfect little beach break and I was terrified of it, so it took a while. But I’m so so grateful for that. I wouldn’t be the same person if I didn’t surf.
You didn’t start surfing until you were 12, at what point did you realize you’ve got talent?
My dad could tell right away. It really helped having him and my older brother around, just catching white water, they would tell me exactly what I needed to do differently and were able to shape my style. So it happened within the first few months for sure.
Your dad (Trey Brownell) rips too.
He grew up in Florida with no waves, and at 15 he moved here to LA. He didn’t start competing until he was an adult. He competed for a few years, won some national contests, some WSA events and was even on US Team for two years. Then he had to find a different career to support his family.
Who are your mentors/ heroes?
My older brother is definitely one of my mentors. He taught me as much as my dad and still pushes me every day. My favorite pros are Sally Fitzgibbons, her attitude towards everything and how motivated she is just being an athlete is super inspirational. Mick Fanning is my other favorite surfer. The bottom turn to front-side top-turn combos, it’s incredible. Even though they’re both regular foots I study their surfing more than anybody else.
I overheard one of the old timers saying you have one of the best backhands he has ever seen surfed at the pier.
Aww ☺
Do you prefer going front or backside?
Backside for sure! I mean, it depends on what kind of waves I’m surfing. I really struggle with barrels backside, but when it’s just turns then backside for sure! Caroline Marks is insane.
What does your quiver look like?
I’m riding a combination of Losts and boards from my local shaper in Costa Rica called Global Surfboards. 5’6” thrusters
What other kinds of training are you doing?
I have a personal trainer who sends me workouts online. I do that three or four times a week. Weight training and being overall more in shape is one of my goals.
What about an air game? Is that something you’ll be looking to incorporate into your regimen?
Yeah, it’s something I’ve had a hard time with. When I’m back home my brother really gives me a hard time about that. We argue about it, but we’ve decided that he’s better at airs and barrels and I’m better at everything else. We push each other. Now that I’ve got some time off from contests it’s definitely something I want to focus on.
What has it been like navigating sponsors?
It’s hard, especially being from Costa Rica, it’s a place where it’s really hard to get sponsors from the US. I’m super grateful for O’Neill and Monster. I’ve also had a ton of support from local sponsors in Costa Rica. Pimienta Verde Organic Market and Mermaids and Sailors in Tamarindo, I’m very grateful.
You were due to compete in a QS 3000 in Barbados before Coronavirus hit. What’s the plan now?
All the contests got cancelled through the end of May and potentially longer. The plan was to go home, but then the borders got closed so now we’re just chilling here. We’ll see.
Where are your favorite spots here in Cali?
That’s really tough. I honestly like the waves in Nor Cal, Pleasure Point and Morro Bay. In So Cal, I guess Lowers has to be my favorite wave. And the Venice Pier is definitely my favorite every day spot. Surfing here has helped me so much! Learning how to surf one peak with a crowd. I have to be more alert and position myself properly. Learning how to surf close-outs, surfing a wave where you have to make your own speed in a small section. It’s been a process, it’s been a frustrating five-months but feels really really good to finally be improving on it and I think it’s going to really help me when I travel. Yeah this place is special for sure!
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