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Congratulations on your big win James. What did it take to win out there?

Before the Salt Creek Contest I hadn't been in the contest scene for good three and a half years. I wasn't too sure what division to do so I decided just to enter Men's. The waves weren't anything special but there was a little size to it which made it fun. When I was surfing out there I tried to get waves that I would be able to do solid tricks on. I think contests are fun but only when there is solid surf. I can't stand watching kids do spins and rolls in the white water on a two foot wave.

This past year has definitely witnessed a lot of progression on your part, not only in your surfing but also in your maturity level. You seem to have come a long way from your more rampant adolescence with your D.U.I. and other related mishaps now more than a year past. What have you learned along the way, and have these events mad you more focused on your surfing than ever before?

Now don't get me wrong partying is the shit, especially with all your bros, but if you want to succeed at something that takes dedication like riding waves partying only on occasion is a must. For a good two years I partied my brains out when I should of been pushing myself with boogieing not to mention getting a DUI which really puts a set back on all aspects of your life. Luckily my homies are down to drive me around and most importantly get me to the waves. I definitely can say that my party days are over and all I want to do is ride waves and mack canaries (girls).

Randal's new boardshop Esteem has taken bodyboarding in Pismo to a whole new level. How has the presence of Randal and Esteem helped you?

Randal's shop esteem is just what the bodyboarders in Pismo needed. Before Randal's shop nobody gave a donkey's ass about bodyboarding. Almost every time I paddle out at Pismo now there are more bodyboarders in the water than surfers and I can directly relate that to the uprising of Esteem Boarding Shop. Randal is 100% stoked on making a name for central cal boogie boarders. Personally, I'm 150% more amped to bodyboard now that Esteem is in the mix. I can guarantee that this is just the beginning and all you bodyboarders out there are going to be seeing and hearing a lot more about Esteem boarding!

What are your plans for the upcoming year?

I'm planning on doing the rest of the BIA's and possibly working my way up to enter the Pro Division. I'm definitely amped on a possible South America excursion and plan on making a few trips to Mexico. There could possibly be a Hawaii trip on the horizon but only time will tell. Besides a couple of trips and contests the rest of my time and energy will be spent on a video production that me and a couple of my friends are working on. Hopefully we'll be finished with that by the end of summer.

Who have you been surfing with lately to push your riding?

Three of my friends who I used to ride with and who would push my riding to the limits are no longer in the mix. Two of them moved down south and the other one fell in love with beer and pussy. My compadre Louie Robles is a Dker but he will charge anything and is down to surf every day. Even though he doesn't ride on his belly I still get very amped to ride waves with him and hope that his girl friend doesn't take control of him. Besides Louie, Fielding Steen Larson a local ripper really pushes my limits. That kid absolutely kills it.

As many of us know, it can be a little discouraging trying to get exposure on the Central Coast. What is it gonna take for you, or any other area rider for that matter, to rise up to that next level in the industry?

You definitely have to make the extra effort to get known when you live in Central Cali. If you want to get known and get respect you got to produce. By producing I mean getting sick shots in mags or waves in vids. Winning contests always helps you make a name for yourself. With the help of Esteem and the birth of a new mag in the industry it should be a little easier to turn some heads and get known. The only other option is to buy a one way ticket to Australia.