Jacob Romero Please stand up!
I can't deny we got pretty excited when Jacob agreed to feature in LidLife Bodyboarding's weekly blog.
At the ripe age of 32 and competing as hard as Jacob does he is the perfect role model for any aspiring young grom hoping to make it on to the APB world tour.
In Jacob's own words.
" I was born and raised in Waiehu, Maui and I am still living there now, I've spent my whole life here and feel very fortunate to be able to call this my home.
I first tried bodyboarding when I was 14 years old, I grew up around the ocean and my family and I spent most of our time at the beach.
I would always swim with a kick board, styrafoam board.
I still remember the first time I actually rode a proper wave on a proper body board, it was a spot near my house called Sand Piles.
My older brother Josh took me out and it only took one wave and I was hooked.
My Mom, dad and family will always be my heroes however growing up I looked up to Kyle Maligro, Sean Virtue, Jeff Hubbard, Spencer Skipper and Fred booth.
These guys were shredding and just watching them surf inspired me to be the best I could possibly be.
My local break growing up was Churches in Waiehu, Maui, but I if you were to ask me if I had a favourite home break I couldn't pick one, I love them all in Maui.
If you were to ask me where my favourite break is outside of Maui I would have to say Fronton on the North east coast of Gran Canaria.
The power, the clear waters, the potential of that wave on a big day takes real commitment and balls, you only have to look back at some of the APB events held there to appreciate the magic created on those volcanic reefs.
The first bodyboard I ever rode was a more boogie from Costco.
My crew consisted of my brothers Josh and Jonah also my friends Kona, Shea, Riley, travis, Kyle, Nick, Ryan, Kingsley, Enoka and a couple of others from high school.
I was competing when I was younger and I still compete now.
I did all the amateur/pro events in Hawaii (HASA, MILs, GOB, USBA, IBA etc...) and I am currently competing on the APB world tour.
I finished this years rankings at 13th and my best ranking was in 2015 when I ranked 7th.
I work at my Bodyboard shop sponsor, The Foam Company, they support me so much.
When I need time off they let me, they also sell the best boogie products in the world so if you are in Hawaii drop in if not come check us out online at
www.thefoamco.com
or email us at
info@thefoamco.com
I also look for side jobs to make extra cash so I can support my dream of staying on the APB tour and travel.
My wetsuit sponsor REEFLEX worked out a deal with me so that I can sell the suits here in Hawaii/USA straight from my home so again hook me up if you need a suit.
My Bodyboard sponsors the No 6 Bodyboards are always taking care of me by providing me with the best boards in the world and by helping me get on the tour.
My clothes sponsor SOL (stoked on life) USA make the best quality clothing and have the best designs.
I love nothing more than listening to rap music before a surf, Eminem being my favourite artist.
My favourite memory growing up is just catching my first wave and literally hanging out with my family and friends and enjoying the water.
I love being a professional Bodyboarder, even though financially it can be a struggle I wouldn't change it for the world.
The people I meet, the places I get to travel, the food I eat, all the good times I have shared with friends, this is all priceless to me and I love it all.
I would like to thank LidLife Bodyboarding for helping provide a platform for all those that love our sport to share their stories and experiences in an era when magazines are in decline and I can't wait for 2018 and seeing whats in store both professionally and personally.
Mahalo and Aloha Lid Life "
Photo credits to Iain Campbell, Alex Perez, Sam Venn and Nick Maier.
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Next week the interviewer becomes the interviewee we turn the table on Manny Vargas.......