Showing posts with label Groms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Groms. Show all posts
The latest Bodega Boarder Crew Podcast features some local flavor by politicking with Venice Beach local West Adler about growing up in Venice, the changing lineups, contest surfing, and much more.
West's part starts at about the 30 minute mark.
Surfing was already an addiction for Taro Watanabe. Now, after a recent introduction to the international surfing circuit, Watanabe’s passion for the sport has reached a new level. The 15-year-old Malibu resident recently returned from the 2017 Vissla International Surfing Association’s World Junior Surfing Championship in Hyuga, Japan. The competition was held over a period of nine days, from Sept. 23-Oct. 1, and each surfer competed in six different heats.
Watanabe won an individual silver medal in the boys U16 competition. As part of Team USA, he helped his team take home a gold medal after narrowly beating Team Hawaii “It was a really cool experience, because I usually just surf nationally,” said Watanabe, a sophomore at Viewpoint School in Calabasas. “I would go to [different] places, but it would pretty much be against the same people.”
Watanabe said he had to adjust which board he used, going to a lighter one, because the surfing conditions in Hyuga were vastly different than the waves he normally rides at Topanga Beach in Malibu. “It was pretty cool, it was tropical like Hawaii and I didn’t expect that,” Watanabe said. “It was a good experience going there and meeting new people.” Watanabe said the waves were slower and a little weaker than he expected. Still, the experience as a whole, and his venture into international competition, had a lasting impression.By Brittany Kapa
Surfing was already an addiction for Taro Watanabe. Now, after a recent introduction to the international surfing circuit, Watanabe’s passion for the sport has reached a new level. The 15-year-old Malibu resident recently returned from the 2017 Vissla International Surfing Association’s World Junior Surfing Championship in Hyuga, Japan. The competition was held over a period of nine days, from Sept. 23-Oct. 1, and each surfer competed in six different heats.
Watanabe won an individual silver medal in the boys U16 competition. As part of Team USA, he helped his team take home a gold medal after narrowly beating Team Hawaii “It was a really cool experience, because I usually just surf nationally,” said Watanabe, a sophomore at Viewpoint School in Calabasas. “I would go to [different] places, but it would pretty much be against the same people.”
Watanabe said he had to adjust which board he used, going to a lighter one, because the surfing conditions in Hyuga were vastly different than the waves he normally rides at Topanga Beach in Malibu. “It was pretty cool, it was tropical like Hawaii and I didn’t expect that,” Watanabe said. “It was a good experience going there and meeting new people.” Watanabe said the waves were slower and a little weaker than he expected. Still, the experience as a whole, and his venture into international competition, had a lasting impression.
“I learned that, because it was a team contest, you can never underestimate anyone because they’re from a certain country,” Watanabe said. “There are a lot of good surfers. For example, Israel, I didn’t even think there was going to be any good surfers.” Watanabe said there were some nerves going into the competition, but he tried to remain calm. “I was just surfing it heat by heat,” Watanabe said about the close competition. “I just tried to stay focused, and I just surfed my heart out.”
During his last heat Watanabe said he was not getting the waves he had hoped for. It was not until the end of his run when he finally got the breaks he was looking for. He rode two good waves back-to-back, putting him in first place. Then, Joh Azuchi, the Japanese surfer who competed after Watanabe, outscored him with an 8.6-point wave. It was enough to secure Azuchi the individual gold medal; Watanabe finished just 0.16 points behind Azuchi with a 16.44 final score and a silver medal. Team USA racked up 7,003 points to take home the gold, edging out second-place Team Hawaii’s 6,740 points. This was the second gold medal for Team USA, which also won in 2015.
The experience, for Watanabe, was humbling. He credits his practice in Kyokushin karate, in which he is a black belt, in helping him stay grounded. “It really helps me with respect and discipline,” he said. “It helps me respect everyone and it’s really humbling. They make sure you’re not a stuck-up kid.” The discipline Watanabe learned from karate has fueled his passion for surfing — a sport he picked up when he was 7 years old at the urging of his father, Masato.
Masato found professional surfing teacher and coach Brad Gerlach when Watanabe was 10. Gerlach has been working with Watanabe ever since. “In a nutshell, [Taro] has the drive to be the best, is humble, and has great guidance and support,” Gerlach said.
Watanabe practices between three and four hours during the week, often waking up at 5 a.m. to get in a couple of hours on the water before school. On the weekends, Watanabe said he is out in the water as much as he can be. “It’s an addicting feeling,” Watanabe said. “I feel like I have to go in the ocean every day and ride the waves and feel the breeze.”
Photos by Dave Mullen and WSL
Watanabe won an individual silver medal in the boys U16 competition. As part of Team USA, he helped his team take home a gold medal after narrowly beating Team Hawaii “It was a really cool experience, because I usually just surf nationally,” said Watanabe, a sophomore at Viewpoint School in Calabasas. “I would go to [different] places, but it would pretty much be against the same people.”
Watanabe said he had to adjust which board he used, going to a lighter one, because the surfing conditions in Hyuga were vastly different than the waves he normally rides at Topanga Beach in Malibu. “It was pretty cool, it was tropical like Hawaii and I didn’t expect that,” Watanabe said. “It was a good experience going there and meeting new people.” Watanabe said the waves were slower and a little weaker than he expected. Still, the experience as a whole, and his venture into international competition, had a lasting impression.By Brittany Kapa
Surfing was already an addiction for Taro Watanabe. Now, after a recent introduction to the international surfing circuit, Watanabe’s passion for the sport has reached a new level. The 15-year-old Malibu resident recently returned from the 2017 Vissla International Surfing Association’s World Junior Surfing Championship in Hyuga, Japan. The competition was held over a period of nine days, from Sept. 23-Oct. 1, and each surfer competed in six different heats.
Watanabe won an individual silver medal in the boys U16 competition. As part of Team USA, he helped his team take home a gold medal after narrowly beating Team Hawaii “It was a really cool experience, because I usually just surf nationally,” said Watanabe, a sophomore at Viewpoint School in Calabasas. “I would go to [different] places, but it would pretty much be against the same people.”
Watanabe said he had to adjust which board he used, going to a lighter one, because the surfing conditions in Hyuga were vastly different than the waves he normally rides at Topanga Beach in Malibu. “It was pretty cool, it was tropical like Hawaii and I didn’t expect that,” Watanabe said. “It was a good experience going there and meeting new people.” Watanabe said the waves were slower and a little weaker than he expected. Still, the experience as a whole, and his venture into international competition, had a lasting impression.
“I learned that, because it was a team contest, you can never underestimate anyone because they’re from a certain country,” Watanabe said. “There are a lot of good surfers. For example, Israel, I didn’t even think there was going to be any good surfers.” Watanabe said there were some nerves going into the competition, but he tried to remain calm. “I was just surfing it heat by heat,” Watanabe said about the close competition. “I just tried to stay focused, and I just surfed my heart out.”
During his last heat Watanabe said he was not getting the waves he had hoped for. It was not until the end of his run when he finally got the breaks he was looking for. He rode two good waves back-to-back, putting him in first place. Then, Joh Azuchi, the Japanese surfer who competed after Watanabe, outscored him with an 8.6-point wave. It was enough to secure Azuchi the individual gold medal; Watanabe finished just 0.16 points behind Azuchi with a 16.44 final score and a silver medal. Team USA racked up 7,003 points to take home the gold, edging out second-place Team Hawaii’s 6,740 points. This was the second gold medal for Team USA, which also won in 2015.
The experience, for Watanabe, was humbling. He credits his practice in Kyokushin karate, in which he is a black belt, in helping him stay grounded. “It really helps me with respect and discipline,” he said. “It helps me respect everyone and it’s really humbling. They make sure you’re not a stuck-up kid.” The discipline Watanabe learned from karate has fueled his passion for surfing — a sport he picked up when he was 7 years old at the urging of his father, Masato.
Masato found professional surfing teacher and coach Brad Gerlach when Watanabe was 10. Gerlach has been working with Watanabe ever since. “In a nutshell, [Taro] has the drive to be the best, is humble, and has great guidance and support,” Gerlach said.
Watanabe practices between three and four hours during the week, often waking up at 5 a.m. to get in a couple of hours on the water before school. On the weekends, Watanabe said he is out in the water as much as he can be. “It’s an addicting feeling,” Watanabe said. “I feel like I have to go in the ocean every day and ride the waves and feel the breeze.”
Photos by Dave Mullen and WSL
Beck Adler is a 14 year-old surfer who grew up in Venice, CA and lives in Topanga Canyon. We put together some free surfing, contest footage and a trip to Central America in his latest edit Punching Dragons.Follow @beck.adler on Instagram.
From Venice Beach, CA via Maui, this goofyfoot’s game is as thick as the coat of sunscreen on his face. (Thick.) He’s confident beyond his years and proves that when you stomp full rotators and don’t pay mind to the opinions of others, you can rock pink Crocs and people will still be friends with you.
Malibu resident Soleil Errico won the USA Surfing national championship in the girls Under-18 longboard on June 10 in Oceanside, Calif.
Errico competed on Day 2 of the championship, which occurred June 9-12.
Last month, Errico also came away victorious in the Western Surfing Association West Coast Championship, where she finished first in the U18 Longboard and the Women’s Open All Ages Longboard events.
Photos: USA Surfing/Jack McDaniel.
Meet Brooke Carlson, First Point Malibu local. Even though she's only been surfing since the tender age of 8 (that's four years to the mathematically challenged) she's mastered moves that some folks will never be able to pull off, no matter many how much of their hard-earned cash they drop on the best private lessons money can buy.
Brooke's stoke and joy in and out of the water is contagious and she never loses her cool in the often hectic, crowded, world renown line up at Malibu's first point. Her mom drives her to and from the beach almost every day of the week so Brooke can get as much time in the water, perfecting her game and bringing massive style, good vibes and a positive outlook.
By SeaLevel.tv
West Adler is a 16 year-old who loves surfing. In this video he's riding his 9'4" Farberow Model shaped by Scott Anderson and an Album Zero shaped by Matt Parker. Most of the waves are from the Venice Pier and there are a couple of sequences from Zeros back in December. Anyway, they're mostly lefts.
ZJ team rider Beck Adler surfs the Venice Pier every morning, eats a breakfast burrito, goes to school and then practices baseball, football or chess, depending on the season. Here at ZJ, we learned our work ethic from Beck. Let us not forget to mention his tremendous surfing skills, as advertised by this great video.
New Wave of Venice Beach SurfersWeekday mornings at Venice Beach the old guard at the Pier hand over the best waves to the young groms. Giving them valuable wave riding time before they head off to school, helping build a solid generation of young surfers. Introducing Beck Adler part of the new wave of Venice Beach surfers...#BeckAdler #Hurley #HechoenVenice #AndersonSurfboards #VeniceBeach #VeniceBeachPier #SurferLife #SurfLife #SurfingLife #Surf #Surfing #Surfers #SurfsUp #Venice #WorldSurfLeague #gromlife #grom
Posted by Yo Venice on Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Hi, my name is Brooke Carlson, I'm 12 years old and I love to compete. I learned to surf when I was 9 years old but really started getting into it this year. I surf for the Malibu Boardriders and Malibu Middle School Surf team. I've been finding money by making bracelets and necklaces and selling them to help pay entry fees for local surf competitions.
-Brooke Carlson Brooke's Go Fund Me page. Enjoy...
Beck Adler is a 12 year-old surfer living in Southern California. He competes on the NSSA and Surfing America Prime Series. He is sponsored by Hurley, Anderson Surfboards and ZJ Boarding House.
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