BEST OF: Style Matters Entries - 3
As deliberation continues, we called up another group of top candidates for the $10K cash prize and Gerry Lopez surfboard. See what Victor Bernardo, Marissa Miller, and Toby Mossop had to say about their entries for Style Matters, plus what style means to them and who had the biggest influence on their style.
Should have another couple rounds of top picks for you the next few days as well.
VICTOR BERNARDO
WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?
I like making a mix of all the surfers I like and grew up watching them surf. I pretty much create my own hero 😅 The list is huge, but here are some of them: Fábio Gouveia, Tom Curren, Martin Potter, Tinguinha Lima, Jojó de Olivença, Tom Victor Carrol, Mick, Joel, Taj, Andy, Matt Archbold, the Hobgoods, Dane Reynolds, Julian Wilson, Asher Pacey, Rob Machado, Taylor Knox, JJF, Clay Marzo, Jordy Smith, and a couple others!
TALK US THROUGH YOUR WAVE. DO YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT WAVE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE MORE THAN OTHERS?
I remember having second priority in the lineup with Mackenzie and he went on the first wave of the set. The waves were firing and I was too excited. I had a few waves that I messed up before that wave so I was like “Calm down and complete a wave”, so I surfed the wave and when I finished Mackenzie was right there claiming with me and at the same time I thought that the filmaker (Joe Duerr) had missed the first turn , but he was on it and it turned out to be one of the best waves of the sesh.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE GOOD STYLE?
To me a good style is what surfing is all about, defined by less unnecessary movements on a wave and how casual that makes it look. It’s something unique (even though there are so many similar ones out there, but there’s something different and special on each surfer) and it makes surfing a lot easier and pleasant to watch.
“Style should be a bigger factor on the judging criteria.”
MARISSA MILLER
WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?
Obviously Gerry [Lopez] is a legend that deserves mention. Where I grew up is right where he grew up, and my dad is goofy and has a similar kind of style, so that influenced me a lot. When it comes to the girls, Steph [Gilmore] is pretty hard to beat. She's always so fun to watch on pretty much any kind of board, and in any kind of waves. As for longboarding, Kelis [Kaleopa'a] is probably the most stylish female longboarder out there, in my mind, and she's young but her style is well beyond her years.
TALK US THROUGH YOUR WAVE. DO YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT WAVE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE MORE THAN OTHERS?
This was a wave from a winter session at home in Town. It was just a small, clean day with a couple fun little peelers. I was riding a newer board that I was still getting used to but it felt good under my feet. I think my style shows through this wave because I was just flowing and feeling out the board. It was a small day so I wasn't really thinking about anything or worrying about anything, and I think that's when people's true style really shows.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE GOOD STYLE?
I think good style is pretty subjective and everyone kinda has their own idea of it. That's what's pretty cool about it though. Style is really about doing what feels natural and feels good, and in doing that, it makes people watching it feel good too.
“To me, style is more about flow than anything else. Less is more.”
You kinda have to do what the wave and the board want you to do. When someone has good style, they look super in-synch with their board and the wave. It looks smooth and effortless, and never looks forced. It's like art, and it's satisfying to watch. When people try to force style, or mimic other people's style, it never looks as natural or as good as when they just surf the way that feels best with their own unique flare.
TOBY MOSSOP
WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?
I’d be lying if I didn’t say Craig was the surfer I watched most as a kid. I think I really enjoyed how he made heavy pits or big airs look so effortless.
TALK US THROUGH YOUR WAVE. DO YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT WAVE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE MORE THAN OTHERS?
This day out The Box was one to remember as I was there shooting for the ACSOD movie. It was just the ACSOD lads and a few of our friends who are from there. So it was gentleman’s rules and I was just lucky to be first in line for this wave.
“It was the first proper set I had the opportunity to go out there, so I was pretty nervous. But I kinda just went into auto pilot and tried to hold on haha.”
And luckily all things lined up and the clip turned out mental.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE GOOD STYLE?
Defining style is super hard as everyone has a different judgment on it. In my eyes I like to see people make a scary situation/wave/pit look easy. If they can make the general punter think they can do that, then they’ve made it look effortless 🙌🏽
