Posted by Rick Civelli | 10.27.2011 | Surfer of the Week

WB Surf Camp Surfer of the Week for 10/24/11: John Gilman

If you want to know about Surf Camp, just ask John Gilman. We’ve watched John’s surfing progress through the roof over the past few years and, more importantly, watched him grow into a polite, helpful, and talented young man in all respects. We received some amazing photos back from our California camp this past year thanks to John, who, as any true artist, can paint a picture through the lens or on the face of a wave. When he wasn’t out there surfing he was snapping pictures of wildlife, his fellow Surf Campers, and his awesome Trip Leaders. For such a young guy, he’s already experienced quite a bit; from surfing around the world to surfing right at home with 10x world champion Kelly Slater. We love having Campers like John with his personality and talent, because once they age out our programs, we start looking to them as future instructor material. 🙂

1. What drew you to WB Surf Camp? I first found out about WB Surf Camp when I was looking up surf camps online and I liked that WB Surf Camp included the community service and the message of taking care of the environment.
2. Who is your favorite surfer and why? My favorite surfer is Taj Burrow because I admire the way that he surfs and how he pulls off aerials seemingly effortlessly.

3. When did you start surfing and where? I started surfing in 1999 right after I had moved to NJ from Huntington Beach. At my local beach there was a surf school run by a local surfer named Jeff and I started taking lessons from him.

4. What is your favorite surf break? My favorite surf break is Marbella, Costa Rica because it is a consistent powerful beach break that can have long lines.

5. What inspired you to start surfing? There was no one specific thing or moment that inspired me to start surfing but I have always been surrounded by surfing, being born in Huntingdon Beach, California I saw surfers everywhere and then when I moved to New Jersey and there was a surf school on the beach right in front of my house it was pretty much decided that I would start surfing.

6. Where was your most memorable session? My most memorable session was actually during the Quicksilver Pro New York. I was surfing at the break just east of the contest site and the waves were fairly clean and about shoulder high but they were coming in at such an angle that it made it possible to ride them from one jetty all the way until the next jetty, but the most memorable part of this session was that many of the pros from the contest whom I have always looked up to were also out there surfing including Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson and Owen Wright.

7. What is the worst wipeout you’ve ever had? The worst wipeout that I’ve ever had was at Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica. I was in the lineup waiting for a wave, when a set wave rolled in and I turned sideways to the wave before trying to duck-dive through it because I was having a good time and just messing around in the waves and as I ducked through the wave I got stuck as the lip pulled me back into the wave and over the falls while hitting my board which had flipped over and was now fins up.

8. What are some of your interests outside of surfing? Some of my other interests include: photography, skiing, skateboarding, listening to music, anything out of doors

9. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Big Wednesday.

10. What is your favorite music? I don’t really have any one favorite type of music I just listen to different types of music depending on how I feel at any given time.

11. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is pineapple.

12. What is the best thing you like about WB Surf Camp? What I like best about WB Surf Camp is being able to travel, surf and make new friends while caring for the ocean and the environment.

13. The three things you value most are: 
Friendship
Waves
Honesty