Sep 17

Sep 17 BEST OF: Style Matters Entries - 5

NOA MIZUNO

WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?

I really look up to Uncle Gerry. We both grew up in Maunalua Bay, on Oahu. We went to the same high school. I really think he defines genuine style. Not just the way he surfs, but the way he thinks, the way he feels, the kind of guy he is. It’s a whole package. The surfing is just a cherry on top.

TALK US THROUGH YOUR WAVE. DO YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT WAVE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE MORE THAN OTHERS?

“I just went blank really. Unconscious competence. It’s just all instinctual.”

Although the wave at cloud break Jamie had no idea I was even getting into that wave and I had to kinda call him off haha. I was riding a 5’5” twin handshape by Martial Crum.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE GOOD STYLE?

You just know when you see it. And for me, style isn’t just in the water, but how you are outside of the water. Being genuine and respectful. Sharing waves, having a laugh. That’s what matters.

NOAH BESCHEN

WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?

My style icon is John John Florence. He’s just unique. I feel like growing up John was the one that really just surfed his own way & that was inspiring to me.

TALK US THROUGH YOUR WAVE. DO YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT WAVE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE MORE THAN OTHERS?

I don’t remember much of the wave besides it feeling good haha. I feel like when you’re having fun & feeling good your style comes through naturally.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE GOOD STYLE?

Style, to me, is just self expression. Whether it’s “good” or “bad” is up to people’s opinions. I just like watching someone that looks free.

“In surfing there’s a lot of “right” and “wrong” when it comes to style, but really, none of it is true and you’re free to surf however you want.”

JAI GLINDEMAN

WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?

There’s so many good styles to choose from that are all so different in many ways.

“Someone that pleases the eye for me would have to be Craig Ando. I think that’s the best style in surfing.”

TALK US THROUGH YOUR WAVE. DO YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT WAVE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE MORE THAN OTHERS?

I do actually remember that wave pretty clearly it was on a brand new twin fin my friend handshaped me and was actually my very first wave on it.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE GOOD STYLE?

Good style would be the zero pumps between the turns where you just flow through the entire wave in one motion.

MIKEY FEBRUARY

WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?

My style icon would have to be guys like Buttons. Someone who looks like they’re having the most fun and draws different lines and is spontaneous. The boards that he rode and his approach to drawing lines that for him look like they would allow him to have the most fun while still paying attention to what the wave has to offer and not forcing things. That’s probably one thing that I really enjoy about his style. Someone that looks like they’re having fun, being technical, and really enjoying himself. Unique lines and different approaches on different waves.

TALK US THROUGH YOUR WAVE. DO YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT WAVE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE MORE THAN OTHERS?

That wave is one where you can just be in the barrel the whole time. There are many ways that you can surf that wave. You can stay in the barrel the whole time or you can come out and sort of pick different sections. It’s quite a fast wave and there are so many ways that you can manage speed. It’s always exciting when you have a wave that is somewhat perfect like that. Riding the twinnie out there was really fun. Being on a board like that on a wave like that, there are so many ways that you can do it and you only really realize that when the wave is over. I guess I really enjoy that about perfect waves as opposed to other waves where you may not have many options but on a perfect wave you do. You can do whatever feels right which I guess is what makes it so fun.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE GOOD STYLE?