Tag: land locked surfing

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3 Ways to Surf in Georgia

As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example, if you live the United States, especially in the Georgia region, and you are trying to get into inland surfing then Ashley Harel is our recommended resource for you. Her inland surfing network runs deep in Georgia and she is passionate about sharing with others the stoke she finds out on the water!

For questions about surfing in Georgia it’s best to contact Ashley through her Instagram: @ashleytheskateboardingnurse

Let’s get to know Ashley, your Georgia surf connection!

Q: Give us some background, who is Ashley Harel?

Ashley:  I am 28 years old and currently living in  Atlanta GA. I was born in Connecticut, and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina.  I received my nursing degree in Charleston, SC in 2012 then moved to Atlanta a month later.  I grew up skateboarding, snowboarding, playing Basketball, and many other sports. I just love trying new things and pushing my own limits.   I have always had a love and pull towards the water, so when I discovered I could surf other places besides the ocean I was so excited.

Q: How and when did you get into Surfing in Georgia?

Ashley:  In 2015 my good friend introduced me to Thursday Surf Nights with Jenny and Perry from Pull Water Sports.  I went out with them that summer about 9 times then entered my first wake surf nationals that year.  When I started wake surfing I was instantly addicted.  I was so amazed that there was an endless wave! As a skateboarder, once started seeing all the tricks that were possible it made me even more excited to learn everything I could about wake surfing.

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?

Ashley: The Surf scene in Atlanta and the surrounding area is booming with a constant flow of new and experienced wake surfers.  At multiple lakes including, Allatoona, Lanier, sinclair, and more!  People are out on the water every week all year long.  We have many people to surf with on each lake. Two big surf nights we have are with Danny B, from Allatoona Adventures, near little river marina on Lake Allatoona, and Thursday Surf nights with Jenny and Perry from Pull Water sports on Lake Lanier.  They both offer board demos, and Perry offers Tige boat demos.  Jordan (@wolfe.jordan) and Taylor wolfe (@taylor_wolf3) also offer lessons as pro riders in wake surfing.  They are located on Lake Sinclair and can be contacted through instagram as well as email and by phone.  I, myself, offer lessons on the south end of Lake Allatoona at Holiday Harbor Marina. Lessons and introducing new people to the sport is how I am helping the surf scene grow in the greater Atlanta area. In the last two years I have introduced over 50 people to wake surfing.

Q: In Georgia, what are few types of inland surfing riders are taking advantage of, which is your favorite, and why?

Ashley: 

  • Wake Surfing – This is by far my favorite because I feel it is most closely related to ocean surfing.  
  • Flo-rider
  • Stand-up paddle boarding

Q: As a Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Ashley: If you need a place to surf, rent/buy gear, get lessons, set up your boat or just have questions about a specific trick, Im your girl!

Q: What drives you to get better everyday?

Ashley: Surfing is so much fun and a very safe sport. The feeling of cruising on your board over the water and landing new tricks is like no other. Its a rush of excitement, accomplishment, and happiness all at once. It’s addicting because there is always something new you can learn.  What drives me to surf better everyday is pure excitement and fun!

Q: What are your surfing/life goals for this year?

Ashley: My surfing goals for this upcoming season are to learn as many tricks as I can and maybe even invent some new ones. I’d love to compete well in the outlaw division and also establish more relationships with all my fellow wake surfers !  My life goals are to keep being a good nurse, wife, friend, and person.  I want to spread surfing, skating, and all things that I am passionate about to others, so they can feel the joy of these amazing sports as well.

Q: In your world of surfing, who do you look up to most and why?

Ashley: This is always a hard question because there are so many great surfers and people out there.  The two people that inspire me the most are John Ackerman and Jodi Grassman.  They are both great surfers that are constantly pushing the limits of the sport, but the most inspiring thing about them is that they are humble and kind.  I love both of their outgoing spirits and their love for board sports.

Q: Outside of land locked surfing what are your other passions?

Ashley: Oh man this is a loaded question for me lol.  I have so many passions and many of them came before wake surfing.  My biggest passion besides surfing is skateboarding. I have been skateboarding since I was 9 years old and its given me a little head start with wake surfing.  I also enjoy snowboarding, ocean surfing, dirt biking, irish hurling, basketball, climbing, parkour, running, videography, photography, traveling, playing music, and art.  Overall, I just enjoy trying new things, and exploring the world. I love being outside in the sun and trying anything that looks fun!

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Ashley: Okay I am going to be completely honest with this question, and see how many people still want to be my friend after sharing this stuff,haha, so hear goes:  I love to make animals noises and impressions. The Chicken is probably my best one, but I have many more. I am really really good at running on all fours. I enjoy eating raw garlic, especially when I feel bad haha.  Basically I am really goofy and dorky. I enjoy reading medical books in my free time and researching things about health.

Questions about surfing in Georgia? Best to contact Ashley through her Instagram: @ashleytheskateboardingnurse

 

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Raising Cain in South Calorlina

As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example if you live the United States, specially in the Carolina’s region, and you are trying to get into Wake Surfing then Colleen Cain is our recommended resource for you. She is incredibly passionate about networking sharing with others the stoke she finds out on the water.

For questions about Wake Surfing in the Carolina’s, it’s best to contact Colleen through her Instagram: @wksurfgrl11

Let’s get to know Colleen, your Carolina wake surf connection!

Q: Give us some background, who is Colleen Cain?

Cain: I’m 35 years old from Greenville, SC. I was born in Middletown, NY, and moved to New Smyrna Beach,FL, where I grew up. Living on the beach for close to 20 years gave me a great appreciate for the ocean and all of it’s entity. I believe my love for the water comes from being a Pisces. From less than a year old you could find me in my parents pool “wall walking” the pool’s perimeter until I finally found my “fins.”

Q: How and when did you get into Wake Surfing in the Carolina’s?

Cain: Upon graduating from Daytona State College in the summer of 2007, I decided to follow my parents as they moved to Greenville, SC. Since I was so used to being around water, I felt somewhat lost when I found out I was living in a portion of the state that is landlocked. The closest beach is Myrtle, which is five hours away! I began researching lakes that were in close proximity. It wasn’t long before I purchased my 1st watercraft, a brand new 2010 Sea Doo Wake 215. While I had a means of cruising the water, something was still missing. I still remember going on YouTube one day and a video of Ashley Kidd wakesurfing popped up. This was my first encounter with wakesurfing. I knew this was my calling. I did my research and in 2012, I traded my Sea Doo in for a 2008 Centurion Enzo SV230. It was love at first surf!

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf Scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?

Cain: When I first started surfing on Lake Hartwell, in Clemson, SC, the sport was pretty unheard of. There was maybe a handful of us out there. It was always fun to watch boats go by and watch them  stare in disbelief as they tried to figure out what I was doing. Some would even stop to ask. As you know social media is an extremely powerful tool to get the word out, so I started posting photos and videos on Facebook and Instagram and eventually my  audience took shape. I started receiving word of demos in my area which helped secure my first board sponsor. I signed up for my first contest in 2014, the Ambush G Series Wakesurf contest. I won the amateur women’s division. I rode for Lakewakes Wakesurf boards for 3 years. I started competing in SC INT contests. Through our local INT League I met a Centurion boats dealer, Strickland Marine, who was beginning to offer Thursday surf nights. I would go out every Thursday after work and not only surf but helped teach new riders how to surf. It was such a great feeling to be able to share something I am so passionate about.

Q: What drives you to get better everyday and move up the ranks?

Cain: I suppose it helps that I am very self motivated and goal oriented. I was taught by my parents to always push my limits and never give up. My perfectionist qualities also help me achieve the goals I set for myself.

Q: What Are your goals as a wake surfer for 2017?

Cain: Honesty my biggest goal and always has been, is to have fun! I’d definitely like to add more tricks to my list. I’m a huge advocate in Pass the Handle, which allows us to get people out behind our boats for free to experience what we may take for granted everyday. A goal of mine is always to progress the sport of wakesurfing in anyway possible. I am fortunate enough that my sponsor, Charlotte Mastercraft Center, shares in my same goals and is always looking to get more people involved in the sport. It is because of their stoke and satisfaction

Q: In the world of wake surfing who do you look up to most and why?

Cain: That’s a tough one. There are so many amazing wakesurfers out there. Even though I’m a surf style rider, Jodi Grassman is a great example of a pro wakesurfer that embodies the same beliefs I do. Not only is she the three time World champion women’s pro skim rider. She was also rider of the year and won best trick for the 2016 season. Jodi is an aggressive rider that is very goal driven. Much like myself, she wants to see the sport of wakesurfing progress. Jodi’s attitude towards the sport and towards other riders is much like mine. We want to have fun and see others having fun too. We train hard and take competition very seriously, but at the end of the day if you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong. Jodi is also very caring and supportive. Unfortunately some pro riders come across to me as celebrities that cannot be bothered by the ordinary wakesurfer. Jodi is very approachable and eager to answers that amateur surfers may have.

Q: As a Land Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Cain: I love teaching new riders and even those who have ridden before and are looking to enter into the competitive sport. I have a keen eye for coaching wakesurfing and can give you the tips you need to land some of those frustrating tricks. I’ve also gotten pretty good at dialing in waves on different boats according to what type of wave you prefer.

Q: Outside of Wake surfing what are your other passions?

Cain: The water will always be my #1 passion. Besides wakesurfing, I love strength training, which helps tremendously with my surfing. I also have a HUGE love for animals though. I have four dogs, a Blue Heeler, a Yorkie, a Chihuahua, and a Boston Terrier. Growing up on Florida I went to Sea World a lot. For as long as I can remember, I would tell people and teachers that I wanted to be Shamu’s trainer when I grew up. My love for marine mammals has stayed with me to this day. I am also a gold level ambassador for Sheshreds.co which is a brand that focuses on females in action sports. The crew is comprised of rad ladies that are killing it everyday in their sport but are also the most fearless and supportive group of females who always have each other’s backs.

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Cain: I’ve become known more and more for my crazy wakesurf dismounts. I try to always have a new photo to post for wipeout Wednesdays. I recently compiled a video edit of some of my most epic falls.

Closing Thoughts:  I am always searching for my next wave. I love meeting new people and sharing my passion for wakesurfing with them. I am not one to sit quietly on a boat. I like to offer whatever help or pointers I can to the rider in tow. I also have an affinity for teaching children as I am a dental hygienist in a pediatric office. Children tend to take to sports and progress rather quickly, so it’s always fun watching them from one season to the next land new tricks

Questions about Wake Surfing in the Carolina’s? Best to contact Colleen through her Instagram: @wksurfgrl11

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Stuck Inland Oregon? Surf With Dino

As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This network will help accomplish our vision of an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example if you live the United States, Oregon region, and are trying to get into Wake Surfing then Dino Wilson is our recommended point of contact. He is an all around incredible human being and is passionate about sharing the stoke he finds out on the water.

If you are looking to get into wake surfing in Oregon, need insight on different lakes/equipment, or just want some pointers, reach Dino via his Instagram account: @dino_time

Let’s get to know Dino, your Oregon wake surf connection!

Q: Give us some background, who is Dino Wilson?

Dino: I’m a teenager who just turned 16 on July 2nd from West Linn, Oregon. I have always been around the rivers and lakes in Oregon and Washington. My GP (Grand Pa) would take me out to boat on Lake Washington and the San Juan Islands and my Dad would also take me out on the Willamette river. I have always seemed to like or do hobbies that were not what other kids were doing. After being introduced to wake surfing 4 years ago it has turned into one of my favorite things to do.

Q: How and when did you get into Wake Surfing in Oregon?

Dino: I was introduced to wake surfing in 2013 at a Tige Endless Wave Tour event at Camp Farwest in Wheatland, CA. I remember showing up there with my dad and GP thinking we were just going to check out boats. None of us really knew much about wake surfing. I had only been tubing and wakeboarding a little behind our 1990 Supra boat at that point. Apparently my dad had signed me up for a clinic with Sean Cummings and it was right when we arrived. At that point I had no idea what was coming next. We got into this huge Tige boat and Sean handed me a board and rope. They pretty much tossed me in the water and the rest is history. I met so many great friends that weekend and fell in love with the sport.

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in Oregon, what are you doing to help it grow?

Dino: I know there is great ocean surfing on the Oregon coast and that’s something I want to try some day. Even though I have only been ocean surfing a few times in Hawaii, I have come to love surfing behind a boat. I know there is some amazing river surfing in Bend, OR and hope to do that soon as well. I want to bring more exposure to wake surfing for those who only think of ocean surfing in Oregon. I think @land_locked_surfing is a great way to spread the word and hope to explore and share my other surfing experiences here in Oregon. I have wanted to create some kind of school clubs based around wake surfing. It would also be cool to organize a wake surf event here on the Willamette river.

Q: What drives you to get better everyday and move up the ranks?

Dino:  What drives me to get better everyday is to think back over the last year after I broke my leg snow skiing on Mt. Hood. The long recovery time has made me appreciate being healthier and able to just get out on the water. Having to take last season off due to the injury now makes me appreciate every time I can be on the boat with friends and family and enjoy the sheer fun of landing something new. I’m excited for the upcoming competitions I’m signed up for.

Q: What Are your goals as a wake surfer for 2017?

Dino: Besides finally being able to see old friends and meeting new ones this season, I hope to qualify for Worlds in Kelowna, BC this September. My passport expired over the winter and I didn’t just get it renewed for nothing!

Q: In the world of wake surfing who do you look up to most and why?

Dino: I met Parker Payne at some comps when I just started wake surfing. I have always looked up to him because I know he was young when he started and throws the craziest tricks on both surf and skim. He’s always posting something new and has been fun to watch being on podium at the pro level. My first custom board was the Payne Killer and get reminded of the insane tricks he can do on it and I hope to do someday.

Q: As a Land Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Dino: Wake surfing is something that not many people have tried because they don’t have access to the right kind of boat or know how to get a good wake. I love introducing wake surfing to people who have never done it or heard of it before. I can let riders know where good spots are and also how to weight their boats properly. Also there a lot of different resources out there I can point them to.

Q: Outside of Wake surfing what are your other passions?

Dino: I like to fly drones and especially my FPV (first person view) quads. Riding my Onewheel everywhere is one of my favorite things to do because people just stare and give you a very puzzled look. Another passion I have is making videos. I’ve always been interested in photography and videography and work on using these interests in my edits. When I’m not doing these things you can find me in the garage with something I took apart or putting back together. There is always something I’m working on or want to do next and never enough time.

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Dino: Something funny not many people know about me is that once I got my mom in trouble from a middle school teacher. She put one of those Jumbo Hershey Chocolate bars in my lunchbox. I decided to eat it during computer lab with a friend and we got chocolate all over the keyboards and carpet. She got an email from my my teacher scolding her on sending me to school with a Jumbo Chocolate bar and would appreciate if she would not do that again!

If you are looking to get into wake surfing in OR, insight on different lakes, or just want some pointers, you can reach Dino via his Instagram account: @dino_time

Keep an eye out as we will be introducing more Community Leaders from more regions and across more disciplines. In the meantime, head on over to @land_locked_surfing to see what other inland surfers are doing all over the world to get their fix! Keep the stoke alive!