Interview with Surfing Magazine

Kylen got this interview with Surfing Magazine the other day. He's super stoked...

60 Seconds With Kylen Yamakawa

By mbauer - August 25, 2009 - 14:05

60 SECONDS WITH KYLEN YAMAKAWA, WINNER OF RIP CURL’S SECOND GROM SEARCH VIDEO ELECTION

Watch the Video Here

By Alex Ryden

First the contest and now this? Oahu local boy Kylen Yamakawa not only placed first in the Rip Curl Grom Search 16 and Under Boys division at Kewalo Basin but he has now won Rip Curl’s second Grom Search Video Election. At Stop Number 2 of Rip Curl’s Grom Search contest series, Kylen was the king of kings. But to Kylen, it’s just another jewel on a bigger crown. Rather than taking the time to sit back and relax as Grom Search royalty, Kylen is training harder than ever. Luckily, we got a few minutes of his time, pre-second surf session of the day.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I’m from Honolulu, Oahu.

WHAT’S YOUR HOME BREAK?

Most of the time I surf at Alamana Beach Park.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SURF SPOT?

It is a little spot on the North Shore. Not a lot of people know about it; it’s sort of hidden.

WHO’S YOUR FAVOITE SURFER?

Kai Barger

IF YOU COULD ONLY DO ONE MANUVER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

It would definitely be air reverses.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MOST OVERRATED AND UNDERRATED MANUVERS IN SURFING?

For most overrated I’d have to say — well, I don’t really like alley-oops. [laughs] I think the most underrated maneuver right now is the old-fashioned power hack.

DO YOU THINK IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO WIN SOMETHING LIKE A PUBLIC POLL, OR THE EVENT ITSELF?

I think it’s cooler to win something that your peers vote on. It’s like a team thing if your friends are voting on you. It just makes you feel good knowing that people like your surfing.

WHEN YOU SURF HEATS, DO YOU CONSCIOUSLY SURF MORE CONSERVATIVLY THAN WHEN YOU FREE SURF?

I think I surf a lot more conservatively in contests. I just don’t want to fall.

DID YOU VOTE FOR YOURSELF?

Uh…yeah. I’m guilty. [laughs]

DO YOU APPRECIATE RADICAL MANUVERS, EVEN IF IT’S ONE MOVE? OR DO YOU THINK TRADITIONAL COMBOES ARE THE WAY TO GO?

I like just having that one explosive maneuver. It just looks better.

Something's super fishy!

Can't get much fishier than this! Kylen finished his dad's board and it's ready to go out to sea now. Good thing the fish are on the top and not the bottom or a shark might take a second look! This is the first time he's painted with acrylics - should be fun to see what he comes up with next time!

New face for new hair

Well, the penguin hair is now gone but Cole did a "face plant" into the reef while surfing today.   He lost some skin above his left eyebrow and below his nose.  And now has a bigger head (more brains?) due to a lump on the left side of his head.  How much did it hurt?  I think his expression says it all! 

And would you believe yearbook pics are tomorrow!

Daddy was feeling left out of my blog so he had me take a pic of his "owie" face even though there's no "owie".

Something's fishy!

Kylen drew all of these cool fish to decorate his dad's board!  (Yup, freehand, no tracing!) Can't wait to see the finished piece!

Here's what happens as the lazy days of summer break are winding down and you leave your boys alone while you make beads. Note the before pic taken maybe 1-2 weeks ago:

It only took a few minutes for his older brother to change him into a penguin - I think they're called rockhopper penguins. They have little fluffies on the sides of their heads. One more week till school begins. Think he'll be tired of it by then? :)

Save the butterflies!

Haven't seen many caterpillars or butterflies lately so I started collecting and raising the few teeny caterpillars I found on our mini crown flower plant. So far, 7 butterflies have been released in our yard during the past week with 2 more taking off today.  Only 2 left to go with no other caterpillars in sight... good thing the others are flitting around so hopefully I'll have more caterpillars to collect soon!

Mini Crown flower plant... my fat thumb shows just how tiny the flowers are.

Anyone want seeds?  I have a bunch!

my baby's full grown - ready to make his/her chrysalis soon

just "born" this morning!

doggie tribe

Here's our extended family.  Pepper's our resident moose, Mr. Pickles is the psycho ball chaser, Wuzzy is the constantly sleeping furball and Radar's hiding in his house.  Our friends adopted Radar since he's only 9 pounds and wanted smaller friends.  So he's happily residing in Kailua now and has been elevated to prince status.  Prince Radar gets special meals cooked for him and his friends and totally snubs the food we used to give him!