“I had priority so I just had to be in the perfect spot for it, and I was. It was such a good wave. I was able to really dig into my cutback, hit the lip and also get a big finishing end turn.” Kaia Howard, June 2025 That’s what Kaia told me about the wave she [...]
“It’s like dèjá vu all over again.” Yogi Berra Yogi’s famous quote immediately sprang to mind when I learned that Audrey was selected as the Rider of the Month. You see this would be the second time that I have interviewed and photographed her. The first time was around a year ago when she was [...]
“When I ride a wave it brings so much joy- it fortifies my soul.” Giancarlos (“GC”) Urcia Calle 3/8/2025 Giancarlos’s journey to the Board Riders is quite different from those of you who grew up here. He moved to the US from Huanchaco, Peru 15 years ago. He is now 37. His introduction to the sport was [...]
Chris was born and raised in Encinitas. His roots extend back to 1904 when his great grandfather arrived in the area. He has been surfing Seaside for over 40 years. He is known and well liked in the community here. In fact, there are a few bona fide legends that still surf the Lot and Chris fits comfortably within [...]
“It’s so fun!!! When I’m on a wave I get to go fast and it’s like I’m flying through the water.” That’s what Teddy told me when I asked her what it feels like to ride a wave. She also said that she loves the connection it gives her with the ocean, which is wild [...]
As the saying goes: “Age is just a number”. For Paul Robotta that number is 69. Here are a few more of his numbers for you to consider. He has been surfing for 57 years, and when the surf is up he rides 2 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. Paul grew up in San Diego County. His [...]
“When you can play with your parents it breaks down some barriers that you don’t even know you needed to break down.” (Taylor Steele) Taylor’s quote from his interview for the “In Focus” series immediately came to mind when I was given the news that Nadine, Aaron and sons Josh and Ethan would be the subjects of this [...]
Written and Photographed by Nicholas Paoni Victoria is a typical 15-year old; unless, of course, you count her amazing accomplishments riding her surfboard, which are anything but typical. You see she is the reigning USA Surfing, Girls U16 National Champion. She also shares the NSSA National Champion title with her awesome teammates on the San Dieguito Academy [...]
Written by Nicholas Paoni and Photographed by Nicholas Paoni and Scott Winer Confident. If I had to select one word to describe Hudson McKee, the Rider of the Month for August, it would be confident. That was apparent to me by the way he handled the interview, the way he charged out into the surf when it [...]
Written by Nicholas Paoni, Photographed by Nicholas Paoni and Bryan Johnson. It feels free. Sometimes it’s fast. When the waves are big it can be a little scary. That’s how Shea Sherman, the Encinitas Board Riders Club, Rider of the month of July, describes what it’s like to ride the waves; and she should know. [...]
