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TOMMY
OSTENDORF
El Porto has never really been known as a wave that
breeds top competitors. But as of late the EP groms
are ripping and taking charge at contests, most
recently at the NSSA Western Regionals. With the
likes of groms Matty Mohagen, Dane Zaun, Esther
Hahn, Whitman Bedwell, and Tommy Ostendorf gracing
the finals in their respective divisions, EP was
well represented. Tommy O surfed especially well
at Westerns, taking 2nd by a mere half of a point.
Anyone who has witnessed Tommy O’s surfing
at Rosecrans can attest to the fact that he is amazing
on both a longboard and a shortboard. His longboarding
is a smooth blend between high-performance carves
and traditional five-minute noserides, and his shortboarding
repertoire includes explosive airs that can match
any others’. His humble attitude and laid
back personality along with his keen contest strategy
will most definitely make him a top longboard world
title contender a few years down the road, even
though he is too modest to admit it.
What is your full name?
Thomas William Ostendorf.
When and where were you born?
November 19, 1984, in a hospital in Santa Monica.
Where is your current residence?
Manhattan Beach.
How long have you been surfing for and how
did you start?
I have been surfing for about 8 years. When I was
around 10 years old, I bought a $50 board from Just
Longboards and from there my dad took me out surfing
every weekend, pushing me into little white water
waves.
Do you prefer longboarding over shortboarding?
Why?
That’s a tough one. I like them both for different
reasons. I’m a better longboarder than a shortboarder
and I compete in longboarding. I like longboarding
in El Porto cause its way easier to get waves, rather
than fighting with all the old longboarders when
you’re on a shortboard. But shortboarding
is more exciting and there’s a lot more that
you can do on a wave.
When and why did you choose to compete solely
as a longboarder?
After seeing all these younger guys in the NSSA’s
[National Scholastic Surfing Association contests]
doing 360 airs in their heats as a normal maneuvers
I figured I wouldn’t be able to go anywhere
with shortboarding.
What have been your best results to date?
2nd place Open Longboard at NSSA Westerns in 2003,
6th place PSTA (Professional Surfing Tour of America)
Championships in 2002 at C-Street Ventura, Top 10
in the overall standings for the PSTA 2002 Season,
High School Pacifica Surf League Champion 2001-2002,
and 1st place at USSF West Coast Championships in
2001.
Quite a list there! Would you say being
a competitive surfer is a more legitimate way of
becoming a professional than through photos/films?
I think that either is fine -- some people just
aren’t competitive but still surf better than
anyone out there. And if you can make a living from
just having people take pictures of you and not
have to do any work, more power to you.
What direction would you ultimately like
the ASP longboard tour to go in?
I would like it to be based equally on classic style
longboarding along with high-performance maneuvers.
What are your typical dimensions for your
longboard?
I am not too sure of the exact dimensions but they
are basically nine-foot, high-proformance Spyder
longboards. I broke my favorite board a couple months
ago and I haven’t gotten one quite the same
yet. The one I’m riding now works pretty well
though.
What about for your shortboard?
I ride 5’11” Spyder shortboards. They're
really fast and light. I get my boards a little
wider and thicker to help when I transition from
longboard to shortboard. I love my boards.
What types of maneuvers do you like to pull?
On a longboard, helicopters or 360's and on a shortboard,
airs.
Who are your largest surfing influences?
I would say Jim Miller, Pat Murphy, Jim O’Brien,
Joel Tudor, and Kelly Slater.
Which El Porto groms do you see following
in your footsteps?
Shane Gallas (laughs).
Which breaks are your favorites?
Rosecrans and Trestles.
Good to hear Porto made the list…
Where have you traveled to so far?
So far, Hawaii, Virginia Beach, Bahamas, Cabo, and
Ixtapa Mexico.
I hear that you are in a band?
I was in a band, then everyone started doing their
own thing and we don’t really play anymore.
We played like 3 times at parties and the school
talent show but that was about the extent of it.
We didn’t last long enough to even have a
name.
That’s too bad. What besides surfing
and music do you like to do?
Well, I love to eat. And I like hanging out with
my friends.
What’s your favorite type of food?
Cheeseburgers.
And type of music?
I’d say Jack Johnson and Ben Harper.
As co-captain of the Mira Costa surf team,
how do you think your team did this past season?
I think we killed it. We had a really solid team
who stepped it up when things got close. I’m
just stoked we beat Peninsula again, 2 years in
a row.
Which school do you think has the strongest
surf team?
Mira Costa… By far.
What are your future plans (both surfing-wise
and all around life-wise)?
This summer I’m going to the Mentawai Islands
with my friend for a surf trip. Then in fall I’ll
be attending the University of San Diego where I
hope to be on their surf team. I’m also going
to be competing in the PSTA season and another professional
surf season put on by Longboard Magazine.
What companies are you surfing for?
Auctiv, Bodyglove, Anarchy Eyewear, and Spyder Surfboards.
Do you have any special thanks for anybody?
All my sponsors; CAMPSURF.com; my parents; my friends;
my inspirations; and the RCFC!!
Much luck to you, Tommy, and don’t
forget us here in SM when you become world champ!
by Katherine Kaplin
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