The Global Paddling Community

Interview with Jono Stevens, Chairman of the US West Surf Kayak Association.

This interview was originally produced for the Portuguese web site 'kayaksurf.net' and is published exclusively on Playak in english to make it available to a wider audience. The portuguese version of the interview is available here.

Name: Jono Stevens
Age: 32
Nationality: USA
Occupation: Solar Electrician/Project Manager

Recent competition results:
3rd – NorCal Classic 2006 – International Class
4th – NorCal Classic 2006 – High Performance
6th – Santa Cruz 2006 – High Performance
8th – Santa Cruz 2006 – International Class
5th – Santa Cruz 2005 – High Performance
US Team Member 2003- High Performance
Captain World ChampionTeam 2005- International Class
US Team Member 2007- High Performance

Website: www.jonostevens.com

Media Exposure:
Magazines - Outside, Paddler, Canoe and Kayak, Whitewater Paddler, Apex
Videos - Wave Sport Promo 2002, several Gore Canyon Race/ Best of Gore

Sponsors: Optic Nerve, Doc's Proplugs, AT Paddles, Patagonia

Introduction by Jono Stevens himself: "My first experience surf kayaking was at Rincon in 1989 in a see-through Perception Dancer. I swam like it was my job! I love surf kayaking because I love the ocean, surfing, and kayaking. I can bring the speed and fluidity of surfing ocean waves together with kayaking in a surf kayak. My favorite surf spot is Pleasure Point. (I just rarely take a kayak there). I want to help the US West Team win the World Championships by helping the group work together as a team, as well as adding my kayaking, surfing, and competition experience. When I am not enjoying my time in the ocean, I am a Journeyman Electrician, currently working as a project manager/ electrician for a Photovoltaic (solar electricity) company. I have been kayaking for 10 years, have been a professional whitewater kayaker for 8 years, and have been surf kayaking for 5 years. I have competed throughout the western U.S. and Ireland, and have paddled and surfed in 10 countries throughout the world. I have extensive competition experience in both whitewater and surf kayaking."

Hi Jono. You have a lot of experience in whitewater paddling. When did surfkayaking become important for you?
I started surf kayaking after moving back to California in 2000. I met Rick Starr and he got me out in the ocean in a little surf shoe. He was a big motivator and teacher for me.

Do you think the different kayaking disciplines complement each other to improve surf kayaking?
Having solid kayaking skills is very important for surf kayaking. But I think wave and ocean knowledge is the most important thing. I have seen some pretty bad kayakers surf waves really well. I started board surfing a few years ago, and that has really helped my surfing skills.

You are the U.S. West Team Captain - the World Champion Team. Tell us about the scene in Costa Rica...
Costa Rica was a great experience. The event was really successful because it was really well run, the organizers did a great job, and it was a lot of fun. The waves were actually pretty consistent, too. It was great to see such a good turnout at paddlers and such a high level of competition. I was honored to be the captain of the US West Team along with Gina Troiani.

Did you expect to become world champions?
I was hopeful that our team would become the world champions once again, but I can't say I expected it. There are always several really good teams to compete with, so you never know. It comes down to getting the good waves and being consistent in each heat

How many paddlers from your team will be at the 2007 world championships in Mundaka?
We will try to have a full team of 21 people for Spain. I expect there will be many of the same people from the last world champion team on the 2007 team.

How was your own participation in the 20th anniversary of the Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Festival of this year?
I really enjoy participating at the Santa Cruz event, especially since I live here. It is a really fun weekend of surfing and partying with friends and competitors. I have been doing very well the last couple of years in the water, and I always win the party!

This year you were 6th on the World Cup Men and 8th on IC class. Do you think there's room to improve even further?
I don't think I have reached my full potential in a surf kayak. I have not really taken it seriously enough yet. I think I need to surf a great variety of waves, and try out some different boat designs. I used to train and paddle over a hundred days per year when I was competing in whitewater events. I have not done that in the surf kayak. Maybe this year I will before Spain.

One of your projects is promoting the sport of kayaking. Where do you think surf kayaking is heading?
Like most adventure sports, surf kayaking is always progressing. I see the events evolving and becoming more fun and interesting with some different formats. More events are being organized, which will spread the sport. This is needed for the sport to survive. Kayaks in the surf are becoming more accepted. As more people get into surf-specific kayaks and their skills improve, the sport will continue to grow.

What is your role in the West Coast Surf Kayaking Committee and the Advisory Board of Paddle Surfers International?
I am the Chairman of the US West Surf Kayak Association and have been a part of that committee for about 3 years. I enjoy adding my experience and insight from other sports I have been involved with, such as whitewater paddling. I also enjoy putting my energy into seeing the sport progress, become better organized, and gain recognition.

As for your work as a professional photographer and journalist, what have you been doing lately?
I used to shoot and write for paddling magazines quite often, but have not been focusing on that so much lately. It takes a lot of time and energy to be successful and make money doing that. I still shoot anytime I have the opportunity, but have not been writing too much. I am leaving that to my wife, who has published a couple of surfing articles in recent years with my photographs.

Do you manage to survive as a professional surfkayaker?
Surviving as a professional surf kayaker is pretty unrealistic at this point. It might happen in 5 or 10 years, but there is very little potential for that right now. I hope to see people doing that someday, maybe when the sport has reached a level comparable with other surf sports.

What do you think of the current state of surf kayak design?
There are many different models of boats to choose from now. Most of them are basically the same shape with slight modifications. Vince Shay, with his surfing background, has put out some great designs over the last couple of years. I hope he continues to work on designing.

There are a lot of designs coming out of Europe. The market is flooded with too many similar designs, making it confusing. Boats become outdated and replaced shortly after they come out. We don't need that many shapes at this point. There just aren't enough people buying these boats to warrant so many similar shapes without much progression and innovation.

This year, in Mundaka (like always), the juries were surf boarders. What do you think of this idea?
I think it is good to have both surfers and kayakers as judges. The surf judges understand the waves and the style of surfing, but kayak judges understand the limitations of kayaks and how difficult the moves are to perform. Also, we are surfing waves here, so we should be judged by the standards of surfing.

Which is your favorite surf kayak?
I can't say what is the best. I have been surfing an Intruder lately, a boat designed by Randy Phillips and Vince Shay. I really have enjoyed the boat, but I am excited to start trying some other designs again.

Your scariest moment at sea?
Well, I have had several, so it is hard to say which was the biggest. We went to Panama a few years ago and surfed an exposed reef that i thought was pretty scary. I have also had many days surfing around Santa Cuz that were so big i thought I would get crushed. Tom Fredericks and I attempted to get out to Mavericks about 6 years ago, and could not get through the continuous 40 foot high piles of white-water. That was a huge rush!

Are there any particular surf kayakers you admire?
There are a lot of surf kayakers I admire. I really look up to Rick Starr, both for his surfing and his continued leadership of our sport. He is responsible for getting me into a surfkayak and teaching me a lot. He has great style, and is so consistent. I love surfing with Dennis Judson too, because he always has so much fun, and he is hilarious. I also really admire Rusty Sage. He is really aggressive, and a lot of fun to surf with.

Where do you usually surf?
I hit up Davenport the most these days, because the vibe is really good and there are no hassles. But I really like to go out at steamers lane when the conditions are right. That place has a wave that is so great for kayaking, it will blow you away. Steamers Lane on big days with nearly no one out is actually my favorite spot. It is hard to beat a world class surfwave right here at home.

Steamers Lane

What is your favourite move?
Barrels when I can find them. I also really like doing huge bottom turns up to a tail slash or a roundhouse cutback. I try to utilize the entire wave and all that it has to offer.

Any suggestions for beginning kayak surfers?
It is really important to go out in the surf with a solid roll and with someone that knows the waves and can be there to help you. Find an easy break with no one around. You don't want to have to worry about running people over, and they will appreciate it if you don't. Also, it is good to find a boat that fits you and is not too aggressive. Set yourself up for success, and keep trying. Once you get that first glassy wave, you will be hooked.

Thanks Jono! See you in Mundaka.

Text - Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos - Melissa Stevens + Matt Hudgens + Vince Shay
Video - Think Media