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JARED
LANG
This is a new segment we're starting here at El
Porto.com and so far one of my favorites things
to do. Groms are probably the most important factor
of modern surfing and innovation so why not give
a few a slot? You know you like them, for all the
missed waves they catch and the ability to do things
some of our older bodies won't allow. To kick us
off is a new talent emerging from the South Bay,
a kid most of us have seen in the water at Porto
sliding some wierd reverse or doing some other skate
boarding trick morphed into surfing. I caught up
with Jared Lang at his dads' house in Torrance and
thought it would be easy to get an interview out
of him. Little did I know that a few bad bets at
pool and ping pong would leave me 24 bars of wax
in the hole. I did get an interview though, and
left promising NO payment. He's not getting a thing
out of me, I think he was cheating when my back
was turned any-way.
EP.com: When were you born?
Jared: 11-9-82
EP.com: When was the first time you surfed,
where was it, and who were you with?
Jared: My first time surfing was at San-O but I
was really just standing on a body-board. My first
time on a surfboard was with my neighbors Harold
and Zack Lange at Manhattan pier. I was riding one
of those big foam BZ surfboards and we were jumping
off them trying to tackle each other. It was fun.
EP.com: What was your first surfboard like?
Jared: The first real surfboard I used was my uncle's
surfboard. It was like 6'6" and like 5 inches
thick. The first surfboard that was actually mine
was a 6'4" Aquatech surfboard I bought it from
this guy at a garage sale for 50 dollars.
EP.com: Who influences your surfing the
most?
Jared: Greg Browning, Because he's the nicest guy
I know, he's quiet and he F$*#in kills it. Shane
Dorian because he charges and he surfs better then
anybody else. EP.com: What's your favorite move?
Jared: I like grab rail reverses.
EP.com: Can you actually do those?
Jared: I try quite often.
EP.com: Have you ever pulled one, or do
you just like seeing other people do them?
Jared: Yeah, I've pulled a few, on my good days,
It's very rare though.
EP.com: Any witnesses?
Jared: It's the move of my life! Of course there
aren't any witnesses. It's either that or they say
they don't see it then call me a kook. Isn't that
right Dan?
EP.com: Sure is. Who are you sponsored by?
Jared: Becker surfboards, Body Glove wetsuits, Ezekiel
clothing, and Dragon opticals.
EP.com: So you're the one I can thank for
all those Dragon stickers on my car.
Jared: Uhhhhhhh, no (giggles) I wouldn't do a thing
like that.
EP.com: How did you get hooked up with those
sponsored?
Jared: Well I started out riding for Ezekiel through
Jim O'Brien until Greg Browning and Jim talked to
Vinnie for me. Matt Walls was helping me out with
dragon until Greg talked to Chuy for me. Janis Lange
hooked me up with Body Glove like three years ago
and I have been riding for them ever since. And
Dan took me to talk to Matt Calvani and they hooked
me up with Becker.
EP.com: When did you start competing?
Jared: I only like started really competing this
year when Spyder told me to start competing more.
EP.com: So you used to ride for Spyder?
Jared: Yeah.
EP.com: What do your sponsors do for you?
Trips? Free stuff (how much)? Contest fees?
JARED: Ezekiel hooks me up with allot of cloths.
Dragon gives me glasses. Becker gives me trade-in's
on boards. Body Glove gives me a couple free suits
a year and they just gave me a really cool watch.
EP.com: Contest results?
JARED: 1'st in the Jim Miller surf series last year
1st. in the Volcom sucker fish series two years
in a row and second in the pro am dev.
EP.com: Biggest wave you've ever surfed?
Where? When?
JARED: probably ElPorto last winter it was like
15 feet on the face got one wave couldn't get back
out, almost died, quite scary I must say.
EP.com: Favorite surf spot?
JARED: Uncrowded Lowers.
EP.com: Would you surf 30 foot mavericks?
JARED: hopefully some time in my life but right
now no.
EP.com:Who's your best friend? Why?
JARED: Paul Alkire because he's always there for
me. And Daniel Cobley since he's always there for
car pool privileges.
EP.com:Any plans for the future?
Jared: I hope to start traveling a lot. I'm going
to start the NSSA next season. And hopefully go
on more photo shoots.
EP.com: Anybody you'd like to send a special
thanks to ?
Jared: Yeah, I'd like to send a special thanks to
all my sponsors, Jim O'Brien, Matt walls, and Greg
Browning for helping me out so much. EP.com: Who
do you see being worthy of the next grommet of the
month? Jared: There are so many kids out at Porto
ripping the shit out of it. Its too hard to choose.
Interview by Daniel Cobley
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