Interview: Nolan Rapoza
It took a couple years for it to set in. But every year it was the same thing. I’d head down to sorta-kinda watch heats during the US Open of Surfing one name was ALWAYS there in the deep rounds: Nolan Rapoza. He had the US Open dialed. The Long Beach, CA native (who more or less calls HB and Newport his home surf spot) was on a competitive tear in the backyard beackbreaks and it catapulted him into being a major threat ate qualify for the CT.
Beyond the above, I didn’t know much beyond his ripping at home. Since then I’ve noticed his name reapppearing and now with a new deal with AVVA Brand and 805 Brewery, his profile is growing and it’s coinciding with some of his best surfing.
We hit him up to find out a bit more and see what’s next for the LBC local.—Travis Ferré
Inherent Bummer: Where did you come from?
I came from Long Beach, CA in a middle class neighborhood right next to El Dorado park. I grew up playing competitive soccer and was the highest scoring mid-fielder in the league. But my real passion was skating and surfing with my friends.
How would you define your approach to surfing?
My approach to surfing would be to go as fast as possible and figure everything out after [laughs].
What’s unique about where you sit in the surf landscape?
What’s unique is that there are no waves where I’m from in Long Beach [laughs]. I’s not the classic surf city most surfers grow up in. I did not know of any pro surfers where I came from and quite honestly me and my family had no idea you could make a living as a pro surfer. Long Beach is a really cool and creative city with the largest dock port in California I believe.
I probably had a higher percentage to become a gangster than a surfer.
How would you describe your career to someone ya just met and who doesn’t know much about surfing?
I would say I live the life — traveling around the world seeing very exotic locations and that the experiences is worth more than the little money us surfers make.
What do you hope to bring to surf culture?
I hope to bring authenticity to the surf culture and show and inspire groms you don’t have to start at a young age or be the next big prodigy to be a high quality surfer. As long as you put in the time and work your ass off you can do big things in the surfing world.
Tell us about the community you surround yourself with?
There are quite a few of them but mostly my friends. Tyler Gunter, Dylan Hord, John Mel, Wil Reid and Shane Borland make up the possy I grew up surfing all around So Cal with — mostly in Newport or HB. Any time we were out in the water we all were trying to win the session or get the best clip. Later on in my career I connected with Matt Myers who skyrocketed my competitive career in the bigger WSL events. He is an extremely methodical coach who opened up my eyes into my ability.
Who is doing something you admire or psyches you up?
Sage Burke is one of my close friends who really inspires me. He’s a yoga guru / big wave tube guru who preaches his yoga mindset to life and is always on it at our local when the waves are good.
What is your current relationship like with “surf competition?”
Oof. This one is a complicated question for me [laughs]. To be honest I am as fired up as ever to compete and achieve my goals of qualifying and getting results. This last year was awesome but also I realized I wasn’t having as much fun doing it. Maybe it was because I didn’t have my close friends with me as much, or traveling to the same average contest wave locations. I feel like I have been competing in the WSL for a long time and I know how much better the format was pre-Covid pandemic. But, I am a very competitive person and I know how fortunate I am to be doing this for a living so I wont take my opportunities for granted so I am very excited for a fresh start this year on the WSL challenger Series.
What do you listen to in your car if you have to run an errand that takes 45 minutes?
Maybe some good ol’ Andre Nickatina Conversations with a Devil album.
It’s an average Tuesday, couple waves around, what’s your day look like beginning to end?
Wake up straight to my Mr. Coffee pot. Head to river jetties with some buddies. Surf, then get a breaky burrito at Chronic Taco. Then go to Surf Ready Fitness and train with Paul. And then maybe hit a quick 9 holes at the mats with Tyler Gunter and end the day with the Laker game on the TV.
Who has your favorite style?
Tanner Gudauskas for sure! As a goofy footer he has one of the best techniques in the game and has a huge variety of tricks in his bag. I try to emulate all his tricks and style. Especially when I’m out surfing Lowers.
How would you define AVVA’s vibe and what you hope to bring to the team?
I’ve been sponsored by a variety of different companies and I would have to say AVVA’s style fits mine better than any brand I have seen. I would say they are a mix of classic surf style with a cool hip street vibe and a little Hawaiian flair on top. Kekoa [Cazimero] and the guys at AVVA have been busting down the doors in the surf community (literally) and are probably one of the most authentic brands in the industry at the moment which is what I strive to be as a surfer. I hope to bring a cool West Coast vibe and represent the brand around the world in the most positive way possible.
