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Pro surfer, savvy world traveler, charming TV host and Surfside local Jodie Nelson answers your surfing queries. Email us: [email protected]Category: Women
Q
Hi Jodie,
OK, so how does one do it? Win heat after heat and then when it really counts, don't even catch a wave and duff every wave you paddle for! I've been competing for two years now and finally broke my 4th place streak and got first, then in a recent contest, I just blew it. Absolutely blew it. The waves were bad, couldn't get into position and got paddled around every minute.
Any pointers for competitive surfing in local southern cal surf breaks?
I'm a longboarder, so that is a little different than shortboarding, but would like to here what you have to say. Any tips on how one over the age of 25 gets a sponsor?
asked by ariccisurfing
A
Competitive surfing is such a mind game.
When you get into a heat, it's way different than just free surfing because you have a set time and certain conditions to deal with. Most of the time people let their head get to them too much.
In other words: you're thinking about it too much. My advice to you would be to dumb the whole thing down!
Simplify the situation. Block everything else out and only think about catching one wave at a time and surf the best you can on each wave that you get!
I've always had troubles in heats -- that's why I'm more of a photo surfer now, but I did my best in contests when I blocked everything else out and just surfed the way I do when I'm out freesurfing.
As for looking for a sponsor I would just say it's really hard out there right now, but I would start by getting a book (with photos, contest results, etc) together and send it out to various team managers at companies you're interested in working with!
Good Luck
-jodie
