Competitors' Corner - 6 Months Until Santa Cruz

[Jack Beresford]

The Kneeboard World Championships will be held in Santa Cruz, California January 7 to 14, 2007. Hopefully many of you are considering entering. For a lot of folks - especially those from the US - it will be their first experience in a major international competition. A few of us have some limited experience but not near as much as most of our visiting competitors from overseas. While the rules and basic concepts are very similar to the Kneeboard contests you may have entered or watched here in California, the World Titles is different in some important ways and requires a different approach to be successful. Certainly the most obvious differences will be the number of competitors and the caliber of surfing going on. Regardless if you're a first-time competitor just entering to have a good time, or a seasoned pro aiming for a world title, or somewhere in between, each of us wants to do his/her best. The goal of "Competitors Corner" will be to share some knowledge and create a discussion that will help you surf your best in Santa Cruz. Depending on the interest level, I'll initiate a few of these posts on a variety of related subjects leading up to the event. I invite comments, questions and especially other advice from those of you with some international experience. As mentioned in another post, we'll likely have a few scrimmages (at least here in SoCal) before the end of the year so you can put into practice some of what's discussed.

So, with six months to go until Santa Cruz are you getting ready? What should you be doing now? The contest seems like a long way away but there are a few things you should consider doing now that will help you prepare:

1. Establish a goal for yourself. Regardless of your experience and skill level, it would be helpful to establish in your mind what your goal is for the event. It could be anything from making it out of your first heat, to finishing in the top half, or making the final in your age category or winning a world title. Once you have this goal established it will help drive your preparation over the next six months and make it more rewarding when you accomplish your goal.

2. Get your boards in order. Now is the time to be taking steps to secure th boards you'll need for the event. The conditions will likely require some options other than your small-wave summer board. Talk with your shaper, talk with the locals and find out what you can expect. Then go out and get what you need now - not the week before the event. That way you can try it all out and have it wired by January.

3. Start a conditioning program. We all know our own bodies (at least most of us do) and what it takes to be in top condition. Now is the time to be thinking about getting ourselves ready. With sizeable surf likely at some point in the event and long point-break paddles, Santa Cruz will definitely require that you're in very good physical condition. Again, don't expect to start training the week before the event.

4. Make arrangements for your stay. Now is a good time to research the hotels in the area and make plans for how you're getting to Santa Cruz. You may want to seriously consider getting their a few days or weeks early so you can acclimate to the conditions and get the breaks wired. This extended leave may require some delicate negotiations with your boss or significant other. Good luck! Doing this will also help you determine who you'll be hanging with during the event - it's great to have a strong support network so pick your travelmates wisely. See the event page on this Web site for hotel/travel details. Oh yeah, one more thing here ENTER THE CONTEST!!! Here is the link:
wt_2007.php

5. Start getting some heats in. Contest surfing is so much different than freesurfing so don't expect to just surf a lot before the event and be successful. Enter any local contests that you can to start getting used to performing in a specifically alotted time (and with other guys trying to take your wave). If no contests are happening, run some practice heats with your bros. Lastly, try to do a mock heat at some point during every session where you time yourself (in some cases this might not be practical or safe).

What else? Questions? Others are welcome to chime in!

Opinions expressed are purely the author's. My credential is from the School of Hard Knocks having been flogged a few times in past World Titles!

[albert]

July 7 to 14, 2007.

You mean January!

My only advice is for anyone that can to come down to the Phillip Island Comp, I have been to a few world titles, I still think the Island event is harder to win!

[Jack Beresford]

Thanks for the correction on the date Albert! That's what I get typing these things at 6 a.m.

The PI contest sounds like a great event - and yes, an excellent way to prep for Santa Cruz. I believe Don is headed down this year - any others from the US?

[mike schmaeling]

Hi All,

Is there any interest in doing another "North vs South" gathering at Jalama this Fall? Barry did an excellent job of setting up a fun contest format last time and the wind isn't too bad in autumn.

Mike

[Jeff Martinez]

I dont know much about contest surfing,but I do know about surfing in Northern California in January. Paddle, paddle,paddle and then paddle some more. Looking forward to this one.

[ScottMac]

..

[walt davidson]

[Jimbo]

If Jalama is on the menu I am in for sure.

[Jack Beresford]

ScottMac - Let it snow...as long as the Lane is solid DOH!

Jack

[ross]

great topic Jack ,
i sat on the fence on this one for a while to see if any of the Aussies would weigh in with some advice. It's been interestingly quiet since .

i guess competition experience is hard won, so few are gonna hand it over on a platter. my experience is a few years on the Aussie circuit as well as the odd sporadic appearance here and there.

keep the wave count down;
it's not a race.Quality over quantity .wear a watch

Quality;
while we're on the subject, this is our bi-yearly chance to send this medium of ours into the public eye. lets get out there and blow backs!(of waves). Surfing safe heats should be frowned upon, its boring and will allow dead wood to survive through the rounds.

Think Stategic;
the Lane is a peak. So mind those interferences

Develop the weird sixth sense;
all the good guys have this. The ability to pull a freak wave out of their arse at the last minute. Shits me to tears, but i wouldn't mind having it though. It's no coincidence that these guys are onto something we are not. They do it to often for it to be luck.

Playing games;
Ah yes the mighty psych out. I remember once as a 15 year old, preparing for a heat by puting my leggie on. The next thing i know i'm being dry humped and wrestled by a large gentleman and fellow competitor "sunshine"(Grant). needless to say i was rattled and surfed poorly. Hell,i'm still rattled .


mental strength;
the late great Albert Whiteman once said to me "leave your brain on the beach."it's that simple. Nothing can lead to cockups faster than overthinking a heat. So after reading ,disregard everything from above .

Have fun
in the lead up push your ability(you'll need to anyway ) do turns you've never done,take some different lines.

anyone who doesn't talk to you in heats, thinks your a threat people who get angry and have rageouts,protest against the judges/officials are taking things a bit serious.
Best to just poke and tease them into an even bigger rage, very entertaining.

and how is this for a contraversial thought;
Jeez i hope someone under 40 wins the opens. There are some great surfers in my generation(i'm 31) and younger that just haven't applied themselves competition-wise (myself included.).
its great that the older blokes are still winning but its a bloody disgrace that the younger crop let it happen.aren't all we are supposed to be fitter and stronger when we are young?
maybe the older guys are just better surfers than us,in a generational sense.
honestly if one of our older rippers wins in January its like Tom Carroll winning next years WCT.what would that say about the current WCT crop?

time to shine younguns.

[splashy]

Jeez i hope someone under 40 wins the opens. There are some great surfers in my generation(i'm 31) and younger that just haven't applied themselves competition-wise (myself included.).
its great that the older blokes are still winning but its a bloody disgrace that the younger crop let it happen.aren't all we are supposed to be fitter and stronger when we are young?
maybe the older guys are just better surfers than us,in a generational sense.
honestly if one of our older rippers wins in January its like Tom Carroll winning next years WCT.what would that say about the current WCT crop?

time to shine younguns.

AMEN!

[Ler]

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[red]

I've been praying for a young gun to come up with the stuff for years.
Hey, isn't Kyle just a youngun? (well under 40) Did he win the last worlds or get 2nd?

There are a ton of good young surfers, but no one with the competition savvy and confidence, nor wave knowledge of the seasoned dogs Baden, Nov and Parksey (apologies if you've whipped my ass a dozen times and I didn't mention you - just on oversight).

But the tide is changing. Albert, James, Cheyne, Troy are starting to get their competition hats straight, and Matty is one of the best kneeboarders eva.

I think we still under-reward big moves so pure agression doesn't pay out. as well as it should. But don't think that the 'oldies' are crusin' - they're a class act with big moves on the best waves.

Be nice to see some young talent, but.

Of course all the above is limited to thge Aussie scene, since I don't know the other ones at all.

[Ler]

I hope some young blood is in there. I still think Jack will win. I hope he's boss is cool. at least 7 days off work. Thats killing me. I will have to to say I have surgery or something. Out look not good.

[Jack Beresford]

Ler - I know "You Da Man" at Hurley but are you really working 7 days a week? No wonder you don't get to surf! Jan. 7 to 14 includes just FIVE working days for the rest of us!

Jack