 |
|
|
JOHN
BALK
 |
|
|
Afternoon
showers
|
|
|
Do
you remember your first surfing experience?
JB-The first surfing experience that I had was with
my older brother on a longboard. I probably weighed
less than the board and the leash was attached to
my foot. When I fell off the board it pulled me
about 50 yards. I was scared in the beginning, but
after that happened I was getting more comfortable.
Who got you started in surfing?
JB-My whole family was always at the beach so it
was just bound to happen.
What was the size, maker and type of board you started
learning on?
JB-The first board that I ever had was a 6' 3 Costal
Azul. It was about 4 inches thick and full grip.
It was classic. I have one just like it now.
How old were you when you started surfing?
 |
|
|
Close
to LAX
|
|
|
JB-I
started surfing when I was about 8 or 9.
When did you first compete in a surfing competition?
JB-I started competing when I was in middle school.
I first started doing the NSSA. I made nationals
my first year and it was 6 to 8 foot trestles. I
think that I only caught two waves. I got worked.
Which competitions are your favorite? Why?
JB-My favorite competitions are ones with good waves.
Being able to compete against other surfers, rather
than whoever gets lucky and catches the set. Obviously
the waves can't always be good, but having more
contests at places where there is better potential.
How would you compare you last three competitions?
 |
|
|
High
Five
|
|
|
JB-The
last two contest that I remember doing where the
Surf Shop Showdown and the Earth Day Contest. In
the Surf Shop Contest, I longboarded. I remember
not longboarding in a while and I ended up winning
I was stoked. The Earth Day Contest was really fun.
The waves were great. I shortboarded and longboarded.
I got fourth in shortboard and first in the longboard.
It was good competition. I like tough contests where
anyone in the heats has the potential to win; it
makes me want to win that much more. The next contest
that I am doing is the World Championships of Longboarding
in the end of October.
How has competitions change your surfing?
JB-It pushes me to improve my surfing. I used to
do a lot of contest and it was a bit tiresome, but
now I picking and choosing what contest I do. I
love doing contest, but I also love to travel, so
I try to balance both. Contests really motivate
me to want to become more consistent with my surfing.
Where do you mostly surf? Other Breaks? Favorite
breaks?
JB-I mostly surf in Manhattan. I have been surfing
a lot up in Oxnard. My favorite breaks are places
that will not be disclosed. Sorry, my friends will
be pissed.
Are your surf sessions with friends, family or solo?
 |
|
|
Throwin'
some tail
|
|
|
JB-Most
of my sessions are with friends. Having friends
around when there are good waves is a lot of fun.
Trying to impress each other is fun. We always try
to see who can go deeper, who can do the bigger
air or the biggest gauge. I am going to give a shout
outs to all the boys: Kenny B, Spenc, Zan, Bingo,
Mohagen's, Lesters, TomO, Chimp, Lang, Tom Seth,
Janos.
How would you describe your approach to surfing?
(agro, intense, happy-go-lucky, laid back, no concern,
etc.)
JB-My approach to surfing is laid back. I love surfing
and challenging myself so I am pretty serious when
I am out in the water because I am constantly trying
to grow as a surfer. I think if you are agro in
the water it takes the fun out of surfing.
How often do you surf?
JB-I try and surf about 2 hours a day. I usually
an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening.
How many boards do you have access to? Which one(s)
do you prefer?
JB-I have a good size quiver going right now. I
did a lot of traveling this past summer so I am
fully loaded. I am on a rounded pin 6' 0 right now.
It has been magic. It has a fair share of battle
wounds. It lasted through Mexico, Bali, Mentawais,
Kauai, and Jalama. It is still going strong.
What moves are you working on developing to add
to your surf skills?
JB-I am working on the Spencer. If I could add Spencer
Parker to my surfing skills I would be complete.
Do you have any sponsors? Who?
JB-Well I guess I am sponsored my Auctiv ( I am
close with owners though). And I am sponsored by
ZJ's.
Which sponsors would you like to ride for?
JB-I would like to ride for Auctiv for the rest
of my life if I could make it happen. That would
be awesome. We will see what happens. If Merrick
wants to give me boards that would take care of
that.
Do you have any funny surf or surf related stories?
JB-I was surfing with Spencer Parker the other day.
He got pitched right in front of me and I was laughing
so hard that I almost drowned. It was funny.
Which pros do you follow? Which pros do you think
are underrated/least noticed but should be?
JB-I think that Kelly Slater is unbelievable. I
like Machado, Irons, and Burrow.
Where do you call home? Where would you like to
live (anywhere in the world)?
JB-Manhattan Beach, California.
JB-If I could live anywhere in the world I would
probably live on a boat in the Mentawais Islands
with my family and friends.
For all the surfing Sheila's out there, are you
single? Available? Where can they find you?
JB-single. I can be found in the library at school.
I am a glorified librarian right now. This is my
last year at LMU. It is a lot of fun. Ha.
Are you a dog person or cat person?
JB-Dogs for sure. I have three. Zita is a lab, Bop
is a border, and Ficus is a mut. Best dogs in the
world.
What's the biggest wave you've surfed? Longest tube
ride?
JB-Biggest wave I have ever surfed was probably
Honolua Bay. It was a while ago. It was solid 10
-12 foot. It was f#@^&*! heavy. I caught one
wave that day.
JB-Longest Tube was for sure in Indo. Lances Right
is ridiculous. When you pump in a barrel, there
is no other feeling. It is an adrenalin rush.
Favorite break in the world? What makes it so great?
JB-Most favorite breaks in the world are anything
that wedges throws.
Tell use about your occupation? Is this a passion
or just a job?
JB-I own a clothing company with my sister. It is
a job, but it is a lot fun. I have learned a lot
and hopefully will be able to continue doing it
as long as I can.
What do you do when your not surfing?
JB-I do a lot of school work nowadays, but I love
to play ice hockey. I play golf with my Dad and
Jason. Golf is a lot fun.
Besides surfing, what would you like to spend more
time doing then you do now?
JB-If I could, I would like to travel. I love to
experience new cultures. I just got back from New
York and scored surf. It was one of the coolest
experiences of my life. The waves were perfect for
six days straight. Going on trips like that are
even more rewarding because your expectations are
not that high.
What's one thing you've learned about life through
surfing?
JB-I have learned to take life how it comes. One
day is good, others are bad. Live the way you want,
but treat others with respect. Ray Gubser once said
that “you can fly higher than you think.”
There is always room for improvement, so keep working.
Could you live in a land-locked city?
JB-Maybe. I probably could if I have never lived
by the beach before.
How do you think your life would be different if
you never learned to surf?
JB-I think that I would definitely be playing some
kind of sport. I love to compete and challenge myself.
The SoCal breaks have really gotten packed with
many beginners and inexperienced surfers for the
waves to hit this fall and winter. How do you handle
the crowded breaks? Any words to those newbies?
JB-I am all for new surfers. I think that surfing
is a very unique feeling. And if someone is willing
get out there, that is awesome. It is tough sometimes
because there are a lot of surfers out in the water
now, but you just have to take it for what it is.
I think that the people who yell at beginners for
getting in their way should go do something else.
Bigger crowds make me want to search for new waves,
so it is a little motivational.
What's you prediction for this winter 2004-05?
JB-There will be some barrels…..Hopefully!
How would you improve surfboards?
JB-Keep up the innovation.
Any thanks you'd like to mention?
JB-My family for sure. My parents have made the
biggest impact on my surfing. They support anything
that I do.
Interview by Tom Gertsch
back
to who's hot page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
