Kaua‘i seems to be a breeding ground for incredible surfing talent. World champ Andy Irons and brother Bruce, Sunny Garcia, Kamalei Alexander, Kawaika Stillwell, and many others are just a few of the individuals who are flourishing on Kaua‘i. Some
Kaua‘i seems to be a breeding ground for incredible surfing talent. World champ Andy Irons and brother Bruce, Sunny Garcia, Kamalei Alexander, Kawaika Stillwell, and many others are just a few of the individuals who are flourishing on Kaua‘i. Some of the biggest names in surfing have started here.
Most of the time they are off traveling and competing at distant locations, trying to get contest money to provide for their friends and families and to make a name for themselves in the surfing world.
Surfing can be a hard career to pursue, especially with the costs of travel and equipment.
If you aspire to surf and make it to the top, then you have to pay your dues, weather the tough conditions, and enjoy long periods of time away from home. Conditions vary on the road and at times and you are forced to perform in less than perfect conditions.
At the very least, it’s a long and hard struggle to claim a spot at the top with the world’s best surfers.
One surfer that has already started that journey to the top is Kaua‘i’s quiet and humble, Gavin Gillette.
Born and raised in Kilauea, Gillette can be seen surfing all over the island from PK’s to Pine-trees. Gillette is well-rounded and a fierce competitor in all conditions.
Most surfers know that he can quickly get a high scoring wave and he can take a heat away from you. His free surfing skills are beyond many of his competitors.
Gavin has earned some real good sponsors such as Hurley, Oakley, Globe shoes, Da-kine accessories, HIC Surfboards, and Owshousta, which is a company that Gavin is really stoked about. He is currently competing in Nationals at Trestles in Southern California. I was able to reach Gillette on his cell phone on Friday and spoke with him about the contest and what his dream job would be and what he would like to do in the future.
“Pro surfer,” was his first response, but then he also said that he would like to manage his friend Teva Dexter’s company Owshouta. “Teva is just a really hard worker and just a great friend and I think his company is going to do very well,” Gillette said.
Gavin likes the idea of being a hard worker and thinks it’s something honorable and he is stoked on all of Teva’s hard work to get Owshousta, (a clothing company) started.
When asked what his favorite thing was about being a competitive surfer, he just calmly said, “you know, doing my own thing and just not having to be locked into a 40 hour a week job, surfing is just super fun.”
Whether you live here or are just visiting, come out to an NSSA or a KSA contest and cheer for Gillette and the rest of Kaua‘i’s talented surfers.
Surfing can provide an awesome future for some of Kaua‘i’s youth.
Another great way to get involved and to help some of Kaua‘i’s surfing hopefuls is to check out Kaua‘i Classic Foundation.
Bob Sato has helped shape and mold some of Kaua‘i’s best surfers over the years and has taught them how to edit video professionally. Even Governor Lingle supports Kaua‘i Classic and thinks it’s a great activity for kids to get into.
“The Kaua`i Classic Foundation mission is to not only teach multi-media skills to youth, but also provide them with an alternative to drugs and violence,” Lingle said.
Foundation Hawai‘i can be found online at: http:// foundationhawaii.org
