Surf Art: How I got started, reasons for doing it and samples of my work

Aside from surfing, I have a small interest in art.  I am no Van Gogh, but it is something that I enjoy.  Since I got my first surfboard when I was 10, I always liked to make it look cool, whether it was stickers or a drawing on it (that came off as soon as I got in the water and frustrated me beyond belief).  But as the years went on, I got a little better at designing the art on my boards.  Only having two boards, I am limited to the amount of art I can put on my own, so as a side hobby, I try and paint and draw on friends boards.  I am always drawing up new designs to put on boards hoping that I can get another board soon to draw on.  My first piece of work was on my first board that my mom got me as a grom.  It is still my favorite board today.  She passed away two years ago from breast cancer.  I immediately wanted to do something in honor of her.  I thought long and hard for something to do and came up with a saying to put on the bottom; I came up with "C'mon Chicks Check Ya Tits".  This was before I ever heard of Julian Wilson (a surfer who did something similar to his board in honor of his mother).  I painted it on there with UniPosca pens I ordered from Drew Brophy's website (who I always look to for inspiration on art).  When it was done I was stoked, it was emotional to me because it was her who got me started with surfing and it was one of the only ways I could do something for her.  On my first trip to Costa Rica, where I debuted this board, on my first walk to the beach, people came up to me and complemented me on my board and asked what the reason for doing it was.  After my trip, and talking with a handful of people, I realized that I potentially have something here.  Idea's rushed through my head of where I could go with this message (That I will talk about at a later time).  From this board, I went on to do my other board.  I went with a more radical design that I drew up.  I sent it to Drew Brophy himself and was complemented on it.  A friend of mine, Mike D'Olio asked me to draw something up and paint his board, which I did.  I am having so much fun doing this as an escape from the real world; its great to just be able to hang outside and paint a surfboard for you or someone else.  So here are some samples of my work on both surfboards and paper, as well as some designs I have drawn up.  If you would like me to do something for your board, feel free to contact me through Worn Trails Facebook page, Just "Like" it in the top left corner of the website!

Pipe Masters Recap

It has been an epic month on the North Shore this year.  Changes to the tour, new winners, Triple Crown is back in Hawaii..Lindsay Lohan shows her face at the Pipe Masters (even though I thought she was supposed to be in jail).   Too much to mention.  But this years Pipe Masters: In Memory of Andy Irons was nothing short of monumental, probably, in my opinion, the best contest of the year and one of the best Pipe Masters in history.  From start to finish, massive waves and the pro's were saying the best waves in decades at Pipe.  Sitting in my apartment, with my finals approaching, I could not turn away from the webcast.  I, as well as millions of other people, watched almost every heat.  How could you not turn away when local wildcards knocked people off tour or veteran Shane Dorian put on a jersey again and made it to Round 5.

Day 1 proved to the world the shear madness that these surfers embrace.  Charging 20 foot Pipe that breaks on a few feet of water onto rock hard reef.  Boards constantly breaking, injuries, blood - it had it all.  It was amazing watching the locals who were allowed to surf the contest doing what they do every day and showing that they are the best surfers at Pipe.

Day 2 brought the same excitement as the first day.  Once again the locals eliminated surfers on Tour and knocked a few off Tour for next year.  JOB, John John, Kelly all proved that they are insane and went mad.  Again, I couldn't turn away.  My girlfriend was getting mad, but I'm sure I wasn't the only guy out there.

On the Final Day, 8 surfers had their eyes on the prize, the coveted Pipe Master's Champion of 2011.  Each of the quarter-final heats were jaw-dropping.  The last remaining wildcards (JOB and Evan Valiere) were taken out as well as North Shore local and favorite, John John Florence, who was ripping the entire event, as well as in the other contests and winning at Sunset.  WCT rookie Gabe Madina was also eliminated by Kieren Perrow in his first ever Pipe Masters.  The semi's were action packed; Kelly vs Parko and Bourez vs KP.  Kelly and Parko's heat was action packed; each were dropping in on bombs and making un-makable waves makable.  In "The Spartan" Michel Bourez and Kieren Perrow's Semi Heat 2, KP wanted the win more than anything and it showed, from the start he took the best waves and beat The Tahitian 12.00 to 4.07.

In the heat that everyone was waiting for, it was Parko vs KP.  Parko, who is a 3-time winner of the Triple Crown, but opted not to compete for it again this year, already had a win this year at Bells with a second place finish in San Fran and was looking for another one.  KP, who is winless in his almost 10 years on tour.  He was in this same position last year at Pipe but lost out to Jeremy Flores.  KP won this time, marking his first ever ASP World Tour Victory.  It was emotional for everyone, but mostly him.  As the surfers representative to the ASP, it was a long overdue and well deserved win.  Ironically his first win comes to Pipeline; duct taped up and bruised, Kieren Perrow surfed his way to the podium in surfing most prestigious event.  It was as inspirational as it was awesome.

Here are each days highlight video's and a few pictures.  Now starts months of no surf contests.  Can't wait until next year.  Many questions still loom as to whether or not Kelly will return.  What we do know is that there will be new faces on tour that will bring new moves and excitement to the contests.  Among these new surfers are Kolohe Andino, CJ (who was knocked off tour earlier this year) and Yadin Nichol.  Notable exits from the Tour are Dane Reynolds, Freddy P and Chris Davidson.

*ALL FOOTAGE FROM ASP AND PHOTOS FROM SURFLINE

And this guy won..duct taped foot and all...

Congrats to KP - a true legend and champion

Thanks for reading, enjoy and keep tuning in to Worn Trails!

HAWAII!

I said I'd be back with more Hawaii posts, but I can't help myself.  Pipe is firing and I'm losing it in the library and study rooms.  Finals are secondary to John Johns barrels and my Fantasy Surfer team getting destroyed by the locals.  Talked with a few of my friends who are still at Univ of Hawaii and they're telling me there going up to the North Shore to watch the contests and I couldn't be more jealous.  On twitter all of the people I look up to and follow are putting pictures up of themselves getting the waves of their lives.  Its the best time to be in Hawaii.  I would love to be back there right now.  I was there on two occasions, well three, but two to Oahu.  Once for school and the other with my friend Brandon who has a house in Kailua. We spent almost three weeks there (10 days by ourselves) just living it up.  Probably one of the best trips of my life.  I can't wait to get back for another trip!
Some pictures of my travels to Hawaii: