“This has been my third year as a pro and I’m happy to say I think it’s been one of my best so far. I think the difference between this year over previous years, is I finally believe in myself and know that I truly want to present myself the best I can. I’ve been behind the game since I’ve been a pro and I still don’t think I’m close to the top. But that’s not stopping me from still trying to become the best rider I can.
It’s not always how you finish in a contest but how you present yourself through the entire event.
Of course it feels great to win but my main focus is being a part in helping this sport grow to what I truly believe it can. And this is exactly why I travel to places like North Carolina to compete. You’re traveling to a location where pretty much
everyone that’s attending appreciates the sport just as much as you do.
That is exactly why you can never be too hard on yourself if you don’t make it out of a heat. Everyone deserves a chance to win and everyone deals with a loss, that’s what sport is.
Before I left for North Carolina, I imagined long liners with multiple trick combos. And that idea made me pretty nervous because I knew that wasn’t my strongest type of skimming. However just like any break, you never know how the conditions are going to be. And unfortunately we were not given the greatest conditions for this years event in North Carolina. I was pretty bummed to not make it out of my first heat of this contest because I was starting to come closer to the top ten of the overall tour. Although, I feel this heat loss will only make me stronger just like any other loss. Every contest is run a little different and you can’t always skim the same at every event to make it through your heats. For instance, places like Brazil, Cabo, and Aliso you’re charging! Trying to get the most critical and big waves you can. However on the east coast, you may not get those heavy conditions, so
you have to loosen up the hips and get more technical with you’re riding.
The top riders on the tour already have these tactics locked down and they don’t even have to think about it now. They’ve gotten to a point where it comes naturally. People always ask me “who do you fear skimming against the most?” And in a situation like North Carolina, I think my answer would be the locals. These guys are skimming these breaks on a regular basis no matter how good or bad it is. And that’s why I believe they may have a slight advantage. Of course there’s always going to be the list of names that I fear skimming against because there always at the top of their game, but it doesn’t mean I can’t be at the top of my game. Instead of getting too frustrated after a loss I’ve learned to accept the loss and focus on working towards the next event. And hopefully taking out my anger in the water and improving my results the next time around. Even with an early round loss I still made the best of the trip and I give it up to all my friends that I’m fortunate enough to travel with. I especially want to give a big shout out to the entire Pruitt family and friends for taking care of all of us throughout the weekend. We were lucky enough to experience their lifestyle and all the amazing things they have to do and I couldn’t be more grateful for that opportunity.
Being surrounded by all the best riders in the world help push me to become a better rider.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the season this year. As of now my goal for the rest of this year is improving on my flaws and locking down more tricks and maneuvers to stand out. Of course Id love to finish this season with a top ten finish overall on the tour. But for now my biggest thing is being a part of helping this sports growth.”
– Words by Johnny Salta – Pictures by Fabiana Badie
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