Surphang Magazine Issue 4 by Surphang Magazine

Surphang Magazine Issue 4

Champ Chats California Dreamin' T'riffic Trestles

Surphang Magazine

Kalani David rises above the rest. T-Street, California Photo: Stu Gaston

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'If you aim high, then you hit high!' The best junior surfers across the world have just gathered in Panama to battle it out for the coveted title of World Junior Surfing Champion. Not surprisingly Team Hawaii dominated the overall event as Kalani David rose to the top podium spot in the Under 16 division. Australia, Brazil and the USA were hot on their heels though and this ultimate display of the talent exuded by the next generation of surfing really did show where the pools of up coming surfers lie across the globe. Just weeks earlier, 'Surfer Magazine' released its 'Hot 100' giving its individual take on the ranking of the World's Best Young Surfers and interestingly over half of them come from Hawaii or the USA. So here at Surphang we decided it was time to get amongst these high fliers and see how the likes of Kalani David and others are making their mark on the world of surfing.

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This Issue's Features

Champ Chats

Surphangaway

- Wardo's Way

- California Dreamin'

He's been an NSSA Champion not once but twice so we talk to Colt Ward to see if he's going for a hat trick.

It's time to see what a trip to sunny San Clemente, the heart of California's surf scene, really has to offer.

Salt Creek, California Photo: Stu Gaston

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This Issue

Hot Spots

The Goss

- T'riffic Trestles

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The O.C. Groms

The iconic Californian surf break gets its own Surphang showcase in this month's Hot Spots section.

Without doubt 'California's Got Talent' and so we shed all 'The Goss' on the up coming groms from 'The O.C.'!

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Champ Chats WARDO'S WAY Words and photos: stu gaston

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Colt Ward wafts his tail way above the wave as he takes to the air.

Colt Ward is a name we are going to be seeing a lot more of in the future. At 15 years old, this San Clemente surfer has already got more than one championship title to his name and is still hungry for many more. Competitive spirit courses through his veins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hardly surprising when his local is the contest site for not one but two of the most prestigious surf competitions on the ASP calendar. So after shooting with this solid young surfer at the epic point break, Lowers, we decided we had to find out more about how Wardo's been making his way through the surfing world so far.

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Colt kicks out the tail and a waft of spray.

CHAMP CHATS SM: The past couple of years have seen you performing well on the competitive circuit, though being the NSSA State Champion followed by then becoming National Schools Champion over the two consecutive years must have been one of the highlights. CW: Ya I won the NSSA National Scholastic Champs and that was for sure the biggest contest I've ever won.

You must have been stoked in 2010 but how did you feel when you realised you could actually make it as national champion again in 2011 then? Oh yeh it was for sure the best feeling ever knowing I could win again.

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CHAMP CHATS

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An air reverse in Wardo's way.

You had to overcome some solid surfing from your NSSA contenders? How do you feel about your surfing at the moment? I think my surfing is good but there is always something to work on and things to fix.

And what about the level of the guys you were surfing against? Does that affect the way you surf in a heat? I try not to think about any of that stuff. I don't care who is in my heat 'cause I know everyone is beatable.

But was there anyone you really didn't want to be drawn up against in a heat? Nah it doesn't matter who is in the heat to me, I just focus on my surfing.

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Wardo's way certainly sees a lot of wafting spray.

CHAMP CHATS Entering Twenty Twelve as a champ then, what's next? What are your goals for this year? Goals are to win Nationals again and also the US Championships.

And what about training? How do you keep on top of fitness and keep on pushing your surfing? I train with DSC which is a training program I do twice a week. It helps my strength and flexibility.

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Now you already live in California with some top quality waves like Lower Trestles right on your doorstep! But what about plans for travelling? Hopefully going to Indonesia sometime soon and plan to travel a lot in the summer. Finally, where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? I'd obviously like to see myself making it onto the WCT and hopefully placing well! 13 -

CHAMP CHATS

One of Colt's repertoire of airs at Lowers.

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California Dreamin'

Words and Most photos: stu gaston

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surphangaway

So why endure that eleven hour plane journey? It's certainly not for the infight food and four feature flms you can squeeze into it! No it's simply because of this... what you're looking at... perfect waves, crystal blue waters, consistent swell and stunning scenery. So after all the dreaming, we decided it was time to head west and sample for ourselves the reality of a week in the heart of California's surfng scene, San Clemente.

What a wave, only made even more perfect by those crystal blue waters. Strands, California Photo: Jacob Fricks

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Ethan Carlston kicks off with some power surfing at T-Street, San Clemente.

surphangaway

The frst rule of any surf trip: get to know the locals. And there's no end of local up and coming talent in San Clemente. So no time wasted, the week gets of to a high paced start with local Hurley sponsored ripper, Ethan Carlston as he tears apart the 2-3ft waves on ofer at T-Street, central to San Clemente.

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surphangaway

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Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Corey Colapinto!

The sun's out, the surf's fun and this is San Clemente. The call comes through from another local ripper, Corey Colapinto that he's got the day free and there's only one place to be â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lowers!

So twenty minutes and a two mile trek later, the lens is perched on the rocks of this prestigious point break and the shutter is earning its keep as wave after wave sees a stunning surfng spectacle. The water is brimming full with talent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Clark brothers, Micky and Beau are dominating the rights while Corey fies of of every left. By the afternoon, Koa Smith has added to the insane mix and later on Ethan Carlston comes back along to join the party. Six hours later and this shoot has reached an all time high in both quality and quantity of epic shots! So far the dream is reality!

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All too often a trip can go fat on day two, both as the waves don't live up to the standard set on day one and neither do the surfers. But for a change, this trip was going to be decidely diferent. The waves were still pumping and despite some early morning cloud, the calibre of surfer simply upped another notch! Today's location was Salt Creek, a ffteen minute drive along the Pacifc Highway, just around the corner from Dana Point, and there Josh Benjoya, Connor Haddadin and the local surf team were ready to head out and score some punchy 3-4ft waves.

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Jonah Carter chucks out a cheeky little air reverse at Salt Creek.

surphangaway

As the day brightened up, the surf simply fooded with local talent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ethan Carlston, Brandon Hawkins, Scott Weinhardt, Sam Orozco, Jesse Guglielmana, Jonah Carter and Breyden Taylor all mixing it up with some stunning progressive surfng. Reality had suddenly gone way beyond the dream!

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surphangaway

By day three, the 'bus' syndrome set in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you wait for one for ages, then three come all at once! After a sparodic few months of shooting back home in the UK, to be met with a third day of consecutive sunshine and surf was beyond those wildest dreams! Better still was the what seemed to be endless supply of talented surfers all keen to shoot! So today saw rising star Kevin Schulz join the growing crew. 23 -

Kevin Schulz grabs the rail as he air reverses at T-Street.

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surphangaway

Typically every trip usually has that token small or fat day, though by UK standards this wasn't as fat as it can get! After all Oceanside local and Australian-born Nelson Kingery thought it worth heading up for a wave at T-Street and he wasn't too disappointed by it either.

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It may only be 1-2ft but Nelson Kingery still kicks that tail high.

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It's past the middle day of the trip, but Josh Benjoya is bang on midday!

surphangaway By the ffth day a new swell was showing and so Salt Creek shredder Josh Benjoya gave the shout that it was on and quickly got to work in front of the lens. He was later joined by another local stand out, Breyden Taylor who took fight on every decent right going, putting on an impressive air show.

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USA Junior Team member Griffin Colapinto and his backhand attack.

surphangaway

The practically perfect week had reached its last full day and there could be no more a ftting fnish than spending it back at one of the world's best point breaks, Lowers. If this were not enough, then the icing on the cake was the hoard of talented up and coming surfers who took to the waves that day.

Kevin Schulz, Josh Benjoya and Lucas Taub started of with a dawnie before they had to head back to pack, setting of for a fortnight in Costa Rica later that day. Kalani David, Colt Ward, Grifn Colapinto and Jake Davis were all out having a last focused surf at this world renowned spot before they thmeslves jetted of to represent their respective nations in the World Junior Surfng Games in Panama. Meanwhile, Corey Colapinto, Nelson Kingery, Jordan Robinson, Sam Orozco and Jesse Guglielmana were all out pushing their surfng to the limits, simply because anything else wouldn't do justice to the waves on ofer.

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Aiming high, Jesse Guglielmana goes for it bigtime at Lowers.

surphangaway

Heading to California had been a dream come true but the reality had turned out to be a pure and utter privilege. Having the opportunity to work with some of the best junior surfers in the world at some of the best breaks in the world had been awe inspiring. One things for certain, this part of the surfng world is a hothouse of talent with names we will be seeing a lot more of in the future. But for now, realising dreams can be reality, it's defnitely time to make sure California is high on that travel plan for the next 12 months â&#x20AC;&#x201C; get in on the act before the act gets out of our reach!

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T'riffic Trestles Words and MOST photos: stu gaston

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It's half an hour since the sun came up and yes it's that packed already!

Hot Spots

07:00 The Dawnie session comes quickly at Lower Trestles as the sun doesn't take long to rise above the San Onofre State Beach. You may think the twomile, twenty minute long trek would put off even the keenest surfer but not here. There's already thirty surfers in the water, all jostling for position and this isn't even considered a 'good' day by their standards!

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Hot Spots

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Beau Clarke revelling in a perfect righthander.

10:00 As the tide pushes in, long steep rights reel off one after another, each giving the potential for at least six or seven good turns

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12:00 Either side of mid tide and the right hander is at its best.

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A jettison of spray thanks to the power surfing of Jake Davis.

Hot Spots

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Hot Spots

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Koa Smith up in the air.

13:00 Meanwhile, the lefthander's been pretty good too! Hollow and bowling in bigger swells and punchy and puntable when it's smaller and fun, certainly something for everyone!

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Griffin Colapinto showing us all where it's at!

Hot Spots

14:00 At high tide, the action on the left is definitely where it's at. Every wave has a perfectly puntable section.

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Hot Spots

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Corey Colapinto grabbing both rail and wave.

15:00 Lefts are still best but now schools out and everybody's dribbling back into the water so it's time again to grab every wave, in fact everything you can!

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16:00 As the tide drops back, the lefts lengthen out, opening up the possibilities for more manoeuvres off one wave. 45 -

Colt Ward carves up a Lowers lefthander.

Hot Spots

Of course, it doesn't end there but for the rest, you'll just have to go and find out for yourselves!

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Breyden Taylor mid air reverse at Salt Creek. Photo: Stu Gaston

T H E G A L L E R Y

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T H E

G A L L E R Y Trevor Thornton in training for Panama at T-Street. Photo: Stu Gaston

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Brandon Manguso churns up some spray at T-Street. Photo: Stu Gaston

The early bird catches the wave...Jonah Carter, T-Street. Photo: Stu Gaston

T-Street. Photo: Stu Gaston

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T H E G A L L E R Y

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Brandon Hawkins mid air reverse at Salt Creek. Photo: Stu Gaston

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Ethan Carlston mid full rotation at Lowers. Photo: Stu Gaston

G A T L H L E E R Y Scott Weinhardt mid air reverse at Salt Creek. Photo: Stu Gaston

Jordan Robinson carving things up at Lowers. Photo: Stu Gaston

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Nelson Kingery air reversing off a Lowers left. Photo: Stu Gaston

T H E G A L L E R Y

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the

O.C. Groms Interviews and photos: stu gaston

It would be fair to say that the small part of California just south of Los Angeles, known as Orange County is literally oozing with talent. Being able to land an air reverse is an expected part of any aspiring groms repertoire and they all seem to achieve it with relative ease too. 57 -

Corey Colapinto grabbing the rail in a perfect position over the wave.

The Goss

So here's our pick of just some of the most talented up and coming surfers currently ripping the waves apart in the centre of California's surfing scene.

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Josh Benjoya

Name: Age: 16 Nickname: Benji Years surfing: 6 Where you live: Dana Point, CA Sponsors: Hurley, Daphne's California Greek Cafe and Vonzipper sunglasses Local break/s: Salt Creek and Lower Trestles Favourite surfer? Rob Machado Favourite place to surf? Lowers Favourite surf movie? Innersection Favourite surf trick? Gettin' barreled Favourite board? My 5'8 swallow tail made by Infinty Surboards

What got you into surfing? My dad surfed everyday when I was little and I was always down at the beach and wanted to hang with my dad, so I started surfing at age 10. When and how did you become sponsored? I got sponsored by Hurley last year through surfing Salt Creek, there are a bunch of guys in the industry who surf down there and helped me get some sponsors. What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? Getting to hang out with Kelly Slater and have him critique my surfing. (Ed: Josh is part of the Daphne's team who's surfing ambassador is Kelly himself and so Josh and the other ten team members get to work with Kelly once every few months!)

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Who in surfing inspires you most? Kelly Slater because he has achieved the ultimate task in competitive surfing which is winning a world title, and he did that 11 times! What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Well, I like competing when I do well but when I lose, its kind of a bummer. I think competitive surfing really helps you become a better surfer and learn from your mistakes. What song motivates you before a surf? No song in particular gets me motivated its mostly just fast songs that keep you interested When and where was your best surf session? I can't really remember my BEST surf session but just being out in water surfing with my friends is pretty awesome. I think... What's the worst wipeout of your life? One day I was surfing at salt creek at low tide and it was barreling pretty hard. Anyway I dropped in on this wave and as I was pumping down the line there was this lady in my way and as I tried to take a high line around her the wave pitched me over the falls and onto her board head first. I came up out of the water and it felt like I'd broken my jaw. Lifeguards came to assist me and I wetn home seeing stars. I went to the doctor later that day and it turns out my jaw was just stretched out of place.

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What do you do when you don't surf? Skateboard or Golf or play basketball with some friends Do you train as well as surf? Yes, I do surf training at DSC a surfing specific training program for surfers that help you recognize your weak points in your surfing and fix them through physical exercise. And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? Golf, I am pretty bad right now but hopefully I will get better

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If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? I would buy an island with perfect waves and only let my friends and family come. What's the healthiest thing you ate today? A Nutri-grain bar What's your most overused word? Dude What's your goal for the next year? To do some pro juniors and hopefully get some points and build up my seed. And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? In five to ten years from now I see myself hopefully as some sort of a pro surfer, I think it would be so cool to get paid to do something that you love. As some people would say "if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life."

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Ethan Zane Carlston

Name: Age: 16 Nickname: E Years surfing: 4 Where you live: San Clemente, CA Sponsors: Hurley, Superstix Surfboards, Aerial7 headphones, Dizm eyewear, DS perfomance Local break/s: T-Street, Lowers, Rivis Favourite Favourite Favourite Favourite Favourite

surfer? Simpo place to surf? Lowers surf movie? Scratching the Surface surf trick? Barrel board? Depends

What got you into surfing? My dad and where I live When and how did you become sponsored? Surfed a lot and worked hard What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? Learning how to work hard and continue to pursue being better, win or lose Who in surfing inspires you most? All the 'CT guys What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Both, but I am super competitive

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What song motivates you before a surf? Depends When and where was your best surf session? Fiji when I was younger, big blue barrels. Frothing grom What's the worst wipeout of your life? Sunset in hawaii What do you do when you don't surf? Hangout with friends, facebook, eat, school, train Do you train as well as surf? Yes

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And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? I would skateboard If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? A lot of things haha

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What's the healthiest thing you ate today? Fruit What's your most overused word? Sick What's your goal for the next year? Put it together in contests and win! And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? That's impossible to predict because you never know, but I'm going to stay on a positive hard working path and see where it takes me.

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Corey Colapinto

Name: Age: 15 Years surfing: 5 Where you live: San Clemente, CA Sponsors: Vans, Daphnes California Greek, Grombomb, Future Local break/s: Lowers trestles, T-Street Favourite Favourite Favourite Favourite Favourite

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surfer? Craig Anderson place to surf? Lowers surf movie? Lost Atlas surf trick? Wheelie board? Rockets

What got you into surfing? My dad When and how did you become sponsored? When I was about 13 What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? Getting 3rd in the US champs when I was 12 Who in surfing inspires you most? Craig Anderson What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Free surfing because it is less stressful and I hate the competition scene What song motivates you before a surf? Any song by Cut Copy When and where was your best surf session? Definitely Lowers, I always love it there.

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What's the worst wipeout of your life? At Blacks when it was pumping What do you do when you don't surf? Spearfishing Do you train as well as surf? Nahhh And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? I really dont know If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? A house in Bali What's the healthiest thing you ate today? A smoothie What's your goal for the next year? Surf and be stoked on life

And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? Hopefully traveling the world and surfing epic waves

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Jesse Guglielmana

Name: Age: 17 Nickname: Google Years surfing: 6 Years Where you live: Hanalei Kauai but in Dana Point, CA for 6 months Sponsors: Quiksilver, DC, OAM, Kaenon, Moskova Local break/s: Pinetrees Favourite surfer? Stanley Wolshin Favourite place to surf? Lowers Favourite surf movie? Lost Atlas Favourite surf trick? Airs Favourite board? Depends on the waves What got you into surfing? I moved to Kauai. What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? I'll have to get back to you on that one!

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Who in surfing inspires you most? Alot of people John Florence, Dane Reynolds, Tyler Warren, Ozzie Wright mostly people that just do their own thing.

What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Free surfing no pressure and its just more fun. What song motivates you before a surf? I like Nirvana alot.

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When and where was your best surf session? Any session at Lowers really. What's the worst wipeout of your life? My board hit me and punctured my ear drum. What do you do when you don't surf? Skate. Do you train as well as surf? No. And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? I would just skate. If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? A house with a sick mini ramp and a cool backyard for my friends to hang out and have a good time.

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What's the healthiest thing you ate today? I'm eating some sour patch kids right now. What's your most overused word? Antidisestablishmentarianism. What's your goal for the next year? Just keep surfing and having fun. And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? I'm not sure I try not to think about that too much.

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Connor Haddadin

Name: Age: 16 Nickname: Condor Years surfing: 4 Where you live: Dana Point, California Sponsors: Infinity surfboards, OAM, Lira clothing Local break/s: Salt Creek Favourite Favourite Favourite Favourite Favourite

surfer? Myself place to surf? Salt Creek surf movie? Innersections surf trick? Air reverse board? Any short board that works

What got you into surfing? Seeing others do it When and how did you become sponsored? Its all about who you know! What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? Winning the surfing Santa at my home break! Who in surfing inspires you most? Kelly Slater, he's super old but still shreds! What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Free surfing because you can do what ever you want to! What song motivates you before a surf? Le disco by the Pixies When and where was your best surf session? I don't know I've had a lot of good sessions What's the worst wipeout of your life? I was surfing this heavy spot and went for a back side floater and ended up on my head and now I cant turn my head to the left without it hurting

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What do you do when you don't surf? Eat and sleep Do you train as well as surf? Sometimes I work out with my brothers And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? Skate boarding If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? I think the question should be what wouldn't I buy!

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What's the healthiest thing you ate today? A brownie What's your most overused word? Alright What's your goal for the next year? Get barreled And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? Ruling the universe or something haha

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Sam Orozco

Name: Age: 18 Nickname: Sham, Samsam Years surfing: 8 years Where you live: Dana Point, Ca Sponsors: Rusty, Etnies, Smith, Infinity surfboards, OAM Local break/s: Salt Creek, Lowers Favourite surfer? Mason Ho Favourite place to surf? Just down from my house or Hawaii Favourite surf movie? Lost Atlas and Loose Change Favourite surf trick? Stalefish air Favourite board? Infinity surfboards

What got you into surfing? My dad What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? There's no one moment, I'm just proud of all the people I've met from around the world Who in surfing inspires you most? Mason Ho and Josh Kerr What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Freesurfing because there's no pressure on you

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What song motivates you before a surf? Any rock or old school music When and where was your best surf session? My best surf session was probably at this wave near my house and there were really good barrels and I was just really in rhythm with my surfing What's the worst wipeout of your life? My worse wipeout was at Pipeline in Hawaii What do you do when you don't surf? When I don't surf I like to skate and hangout with my friends

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Do you train as well as surf? No I don't like to workout, I feel it doesn't strenghten my surfing

And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? I would probably race dirtbikes or live in the mountains If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? If I did, I would buy a jet and houses all over and travel with my friends and family

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What's the healthiest thing you ate today? The healthiest thing I had today was probably coconut water What's your most overused word? My most overused word is probably sick

What's your goal for the next year? My goal for next year is to do good in school and get into UCLA and go travel and try to get barelled And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? In five to ten years I would like to see myself as a doctor or dentist.

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Jordan Robinson

Name: Age: 17 Nickname: Jrob Years surfing: 5 Where you live: Huntington Beach, Ca Sponsors: O'Neill, HDX Hydration Mix, Smith Optics, Nalu's Island Grill Local break/s: Newport/HB Pier Favorite surfer? John John Favorite place to surf? Anywhere with barrels and trunks Favorite surf movie? Fair Bits Favorite surf trick? Backside air-reverse Favorite board? 5'10 Al Merrick Rookie

What got you into surfing? My Dad When and how did you become sponsored? Throughout the last couple of years, meeting and talking to new people What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? Charging the Wedge

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Who in surfing inspires you most? Groms around here What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Free surfing, nothing beats laughing and having a blast out there with your mates!

What song motivates you before a surf? I don't have one in particular, but probably some heavy techno When and where was your best surf session? Nicaragua a couple summers ago. It was one of those dreamy glass-off evenings and Colorado's was firing. Just one of those marathon sessions with non-stop frothing barrels. Cant beat it.

What's the worst wipeout of your life? Definitely any of those times I've paddled out at wedge... you can always guarantee salt water throughout your head and buckets of sand in your suit.

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What do you do when you don't surf? Skate, Train, Stand up paddle, Cruise with mates. Do you train as well as surf? Yes And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? I used to be really into soccer back in the day, so probably that. If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? A ride to the moon, no one has that these days.

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What's the healthiest thing you ate today? Acai bowl What's your goal for the next year? Surf some mental waves, get in the media more. And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? Surfing my brains out, hopefully ripping, traveling the world.

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Kevin Schulz

Name: Age: 16 Nickname: Kev Years surfing: 6 Where you live: San Clemente, CA. Sponsors: SkullCandy, Xcel wetsuits, Kustom Footwear, On A Mission, Smith Optics, Grom-Bomb Energy, Republik of Kalifornia Local break/s: T-Street, Lowers, Riviera Favourite surfer? I love the way Parko and Mick surf Favourite place to surf? Lowers!! Favourite surf movie? Stranger than fiction and Modern Collective really get me fired up Favourite surf trick? Backflips are mental Favourite board? I've been riding a Speed Demon II. It's a Matt Biolos shape from Lost surfboards.

What got you into surfing? My dad really got me pumped on it. When and how did you become sponsored? I was first sponsored when I was about 12, I was seen surfing out at Riviera and the rest is history!

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What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? I am most proud of what I have accomplished and how far I have come in the past few years. I wasn't sure what to expect when I began surfing but I couldn't be more proud of how far I have come in the sport. Who in surfing inspires you most? I think one of my main inspirations is Kolohe, growing up in the same town, surfing with him and seeing his progression really makes me want to go further with the sport. His success with the sport really fires me up to go out and push myself to surf better. What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? I love competition, but I also love freesurfing! I think balancing the two is important because I wouldn't want to get burnt out on either of them What song motivates you before a surf? "We are Rebels" by Alice in Video land

When and where was your best surf session? I think my best session was at Lowers one day. It was just me and a few buddies and the waves were so good! I was just having fun and I think having fun makes for the best session! What's the worst wipeout of your life? My worst wipeout has yet to come I imagine but so far is one at State park. I took off on a frothy one and just got rolled in the barrel, I hit the bottom a few times and came up with a few cuts and bruises, nothing too bad!

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Do you train as well as surf? I do, I train at a place called DSC, (Dean Sports Consultants), it is owned by a great guy named Kevyn Dean and training there has helped my surfing tremendously. And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? Volley Ball or golf, those are my go to sports if the waves are flat. Both games are always changing so it keeps me on my toes!

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If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? I would buy a new car, lots of new puppies (rescue puppies, I'm a sucker for dogs) a house on the beach, and I would donate to the less fortunate! What's the healthiest thing you ate today? Well it is Easter morning and my breakfast has consisted of candy and coffee. What's your most overused word? I say "sick" and "eggy" way too much

What's your goal for the next year? I would love to make the USA team next year! And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? I see myself traveling the world and surfing in competitions all over

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Colt Ward

Name: Age: 15 Nickname: Wardo Years surfing: 8 Where you live: San Clemente, CA Sponsors: Oneill, Oakley, Creatures, Lost surfboards, Daphnes Local break/s: Lowers

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Favourite surfer? Julian Wilson Favourite place to surf? Lowers Favourite surf movie? Modern Collective or Lost Atlas Favourite surf trick? Full rotation Air Reverse Favourite board? Sub Driver shaped by Lost What got you into surfing? My Dad When and how did you become sponsored? When I was about 10 after a contest I did well in What moment are you most proud of in your surfing career so far? Winning NSSA Nationals for my school Who in surfing inspires you most? Julian Wilson and Jordy Smith What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Both because its good to always mix it up

What song motivates you before a surf? Belispeak by Purity Ring When and where was your best surf session? Most sessions at Lowers are soo good. What's the worst wipeout of your life? Pipeline on a pretty solid day, took a set and air dropped and caught my rail and went over the falls

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What do you do when you don't surf? Ride Motocross Do you train as well as surf? Yes at DSC And if you didn't surf at all, what sport would you play? Football If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? An Audi R8 What's the healthiest thing you ate today? Ummmm hahaha does a shake with bananas count? haha What's your goal for the next year? Win nationals and US Champs And what about the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? I see myself traveling on WCT and hopefully winning contests

So there's our pick of just some of the best up and coming surfers that just one small part of california currently has to offer. But this pool of talent doesn't stop here. From the shores that gave us Kolohe andino, there's sure to be many more WCT stars in the future!

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Surphang Magazine

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Luis Eyre busting a Midsummer Day air at Constantine in 2010. What will 2012 bring? Photo: Stu Gaston

Next Issue In the fifth, let's reminisce... By the time the fifth issue hit's the cybershelf, we will already be half way through Twenty Twelve. So how's it been for you? How does it compare to last year or the year before that for that matter? Well in the next issue we reminisce a little, looking back at the past two summers when the waves were small but fun... just like those here at Constantine giving Luis Eyre a nice boost into the air... and wonder what to expect this year... considering the question on all your minds... will this flat spell ever come to an end? We also look at those places that always seem to have waves even on the smallest swell such as our old favourite Portugal. As for the rest, well we've got lots of ideas but you'll just have to wait and see... a bit like waiting for waves, you check the forecast but it's always best just to wait for reality! But rest assured, issue five will be full of all the best SURfing PHotography ANd Gossip!

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Thanks for reading the Fourth issue of

Surphang Magazine

Josh Benjoya pushing the boundaries. Photo: Stu Gaston

'The iconic break of Lowers, known for its progressive surfing'