2017 US Kneeboard Titles
On March 10th Kneeboard Surfing USA will host the 2017 US Kneeboard Titles at Oceanside Harbor, site of the 2008 US Titles. Brad Colwell recently caught up with the 2008 Open Champion Tom Backer from Huntington Beach.
Brad: Hi Tom! Let me begin by sharing part of the press release from your victory in 2008 at the Harbor.
Huntington Beach’s Tom Backer Claims Kneeboard Surfing U.S. Title
Orange County Kneeboarders Win Two of Four Divisions as well as Team Competition
Oceanside, CA (Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008) – Tom Backer used sweeping cutbacks and straight-up vertical surfing to edge-out the competition at the Kneeboard Surfing U.S. Championships held Feb. 8 and 9 at Oceanside Harbor. Backer, 45, surfed flawlessly in the open division final – held in glassy, head-high waves.
A dominant competitor during the late 1970s, Backer led a resurgent and spirited group of Orange County kneelos who claimed two of the four individual titles and the team event title. Backer’s victory was a popular one; the former NSSA Champion appears to be surfing even better today as he did nearly 30 years ago.
Pat Evans of Newport Beach surfed solidly throughout the contest and placed a close second in the open final. Ed Quinn of El Segundo worked hard for well-deserved third-place finish, and Robb Salfen of Los Osos – who impressed many over the two-day event with his fluid, small-wave skills – placed fourth.
Brad: Congratulations again on a well-deserved victory Tom. Please share some of your memories from the 2008 Titles.
Tom: Hello Brad. The 2008 Comp was over 8 years ago, but I do have a few wonderful memories of that comp! I had my son, Tiernan there. That was a neat experience for me to come out ahead and have him with me. As a bonus, Tiernan, Wayne Kopit, and myself got to surf virtually empty overhead Blacks after the comp! I vividly remember my first heat of the day against some of the San Diego boys. The surf was small and inconsistent and those guys were frothing, ripping into every wave that came into the lineup and leaving me to decide “how hungry are you for a win?” I luckily made it out of that heat and quickly realized that I had to make sure to position myself in the right spot in the lineup during a heat and surf to the judge’s criteria in order to have a crack at advancing.
KSUSA events have a sense of camaraderie and positive feedback by, and for, the competitors at the comp. I know we try and cheer each other on, discuss heat strategies, crack jokes to lighten the mood…. It’s things like that, that were uplifting and the positive mood was infectious! It just gave me confidence heading into the Semis and Final.
During the Finals, there were actually some waves in our heat and I don’t remember even seeing the other finalists Rob Salfen, Pat Evans, or Ed Quinn at all! There were enough waves that we were able to spread out and do our own thing, rather than hassle each other. I was fortunate, and lucky enough, to come in ahead of the others, because I know that they could have won as well.
Brad: You’ve had success in competition over the years but how hard is it to win the US Titles?
Tom: It’s hard to believe I’ve attended three World Titles and been in numerous contests since that 2008 comp, and I find it so tough to replicate that win! I’ve been consistent in the US with three 2nd place finishes, but another KSUSA Title has been elusive for me! I’ve found it very difficult to win a Title; there are so many variables that you have to be able to negotiate to win one. Some variables you can control and others you can’t. But, overall, you’ve got to be so on it, ready mentally and physically. Also, you need to have the ability to be flexible when the surf conditions change during the contest, to manage the time in your heat, and surf to the criteria! There is also a small aspect of luck involved. For instance, are there waves in your heat or, getting a close score to inch out your competitor. But above all, I believe you have to be flexible mentally and physically to be in the game.
Brad: During heats, is there a specific strategy you employ, or is it as simple as just trying to surf like you do at The Cove?
Tom: I strive to surf a heat with a positive mindset and goal, and try to surf to the criteria; push it where I know I can and don’t overthink it. I don’t always achieve that goal but I try my best. We are pretty competitive at the Cove but we like to share. It’s usually a fun heckling session seeing how far we can push each other and encouraging one another on when we get a good one. So, it’s a bit different than surfing a heat in a contest.
Brad: Which board(s) do you think you’ll ride this March in Oceanside?
Tom: I’ll choose a board based on the conditions that day. If the conditions are small I’ll be riding my quad; its a 5’8” Blast Stub Vector. If the surf is beefier or hollow I’ll ride my quad 5’10” Shoelkopf.
Brad: Are there any surfers that you anticipate having a chance at going far, or anybody surfing really good at home currently who plans to enter?
Tom: I think the person who is hungry for a win and shows up mentally and physically prepared has a chance of going far in the comp. Sam Coyne has been surfing HB lately and the boys and I at the Cove have seen him going mental in the surf. He definitely has the contest savvy and is ripping. Now that he’s got some new boards under him my bet is he’s got a great opportunity to win the Titles. A lot of the guys at the Cove have the ability to step up and place well. Eric Peterson could take the Title; he’s an animal in the water as is Max Bollinger. Mike Butler is always a threat, and I can’t forget Pat Evans who’s a machine and rips. The Robertson brothers, Chris Bermudez from Ventura, Barry Baker from SLO and Rob Salfen from Los Osos, and Ed Quinn. The crew from San Diego has been dominating lately and I’d watch out for Bill Lerner, yourself Brad Colwell, Sean Murphy, and there’s this one guy named Jack Beresford! He’s only won the KSUSA Titles five times… He’s the Champ and the one everyone wants a piece of! That’s just to name a few who could go far in the comp. So yes, there will be some frothing kneelos wanting a piece of the action.
Brad: (laughing) I know what you mean, I’ve lost to all of them over the years! You’ve had the opportunity to compete in many US Kneeboard Titles as well as several Kneeboard Surfing World Titles. In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between the two?
Tom: Both are fun, but the level of surfing is higher at the World Titles with the Australians and Kiwis generally dominating. There are lots of underground guys and local legends that will school you in a heat; it’s a daunting and difficult prospect with little room for error! But it’s so rewarding, fun, and you meet a lot of great people. I think that there are a few kneelos in America that could do well in a World Titles but I believe they need more experience at that competitive level to acquire the skills needed to successfully make it through some heats at the World Titles. Don’t get me wrong, on any given day there are kneelos in the USA who are as good as their counterparts in Australia but it seems that a lot of kneelos in Australia have that ability to surf a heat on demand at a high level, consistently, in any conditions! That’s why there’s only a few like Simon Farrer, David Parkes, Albert Munoz, Mike Novokov, Baden Smith, Neil Luke, Gigs, Gavin Colman, Steen Barnes, Chayne Simpson, and our own Jack Beresford! And that’s one reason we look up to these legends!
Brad: The 2017 Kneeboard Surfing World Titles will be held in Cantabria, Spain this September. Will you be able to join Team USA?
Tom: No, not this time Brad. I am committed to my artwork right now and working on a body of work. I wish all those going the best of luck.
Brad: Thanks for your time Tom and best of luck at Oceanside!
Tom: Thanks Brad, I’ll need it!
For more information about the 2017 KSUSA US Titles and Kneeboard Festival please visit www.ksusa.org
Brad Colwell -Legless.tv
