Monday 20 December, 2010
Soul of Surf: Kristian Ferreira
East coast road warrior and journeyman, Kristian Ferreira, epitomizes the meaning of commitment deserving of a Surf Caribe “Soul of Surf” profile feature.
By Joanne Fernandez Lopez
Of half Colombian and half Puerto Rican descent, Kristian Ferreira is a well-known personality by many on the east coast of Puerto Rico after nearly 21 years of surfing. Coming from the small waves of the island’s east coast, Kristian started bodyboarding about the age of 14, but quickly graduated to a surfboard. That first surfboard, however, was not ideal, (it was actually a windsurfer without the mast) and while very heavy and far from perfect it did allow him to stand up.
“When I started surfing I looked up to guys like Derek Ho, Sunny Garcia, Gary Elkerton, Martin Potter, Tom Curren, and Dane Kealoha,” commented Kristian. “Later I began to appreciate the talents of Richie Collins, Christian Fletcher, Nathan Fletcher, Matt Archbold, and Brad Gerlach, and eventually I started to follow the new school movement with guys like Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, Rob Machado, Taylor Knox, Shawn “Barney” Barron, “Flea” Virotsko, Bruce Irons, Andy Irons, Ozzy Wright, and Brian Conley,” he added. “Nowadays I watch a lot of guys like Dane Reynolds, Julian Wilson, Josh Kerr, Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow and also I think Josh Sleigh’s surfing is really awesome,” he concluded.
Inspired by the video generation, Kristian would sometimes he would ask his friends or family to film him surfing so he could later study his style and his progress.
But Kristian also admires the local talent. “A lot of the guys I surf with keep me stoked to surf. Friends like Rikal Martin, Juan Mandes, Jorge Camacho, and West Coasters like Brian Toth, Josie Tavares, Dylan Graves, and others make me want to surf more and keep progressing,” said Kristian. His major influence comes from Chris Ward who has been his favorite surfer/aerialist since he can recall.
“As a person, I’ve known him for more than five years,” said Rikal Martin. “He is a friend that has always had a big heart for the sport and the arts. As a surfer, he showed me the true discipline necessary to be a great wave rider. To get up at 4:00 am to be at the surf spot with the best conditions on time to make the most of the day is something that not everyone living on the island’s east coast can do. I think he is one of the most outstanding surfers of his age.”
Kristian loves the competitive side of surfing, too, but he considers himself more of a soul surfer. “I surf mostly for the fun I have while I’m doing it and the feeling of gratification after completing an awesome session,” quipped Kristian.
Growing up in the side of the Island with small waves is a disadvantage, but when friends gather to travel around the Island in search of other surf spots, he knows he is going to move around a lot. Every time there is a good swell coming he quickly begins to plan exactly where he wants to be. “Searching for waves can be a lot of fun, but you can get tired of it really fast,” said Ferreira. “Although I was able to live on the island’s west coast for a I returned to the east coast for many reasons, and am again forced to travel two or three hours to get to the surf when the waves are good. In the end I’m always happy as long as I get to surf until my heart is content.”
At the age of 22 Kristian had a bad skateboarding accident that broke his leg shattering his shinbone, and he and wasn’t able to surf for almost 2 years. So bad was the break that to this day the metal plates that were used to repair the break are still visible under the skin of his leg. He still remembers that when he finally got back in the water for the first time after those 2 years he said aloud, “Thank you, God, for letting me surf again!” And from that moment he developed a new perspective, appreciation, and respect for the sport and the ocean.
“The more you appreciate and respect the ocean the more it gives back to you,” says Kristian.
You will often hear Ferreira say, “The water is my office.” And while Kristian can be aggressive and serious in the water, fully committed and focused on what he is trying to accomplish from day to day, he is at the same time very humble, down-to-earth, and very amicable with everyone.
“Kristian Ferreira is an always-pumped wave enthusiast that likes to combine waves and art, with a technological twist,” said photographer, Manny Gonzalez. “He has skills with the latest video editing tools, graphic design, and his super creative perspective allows him to create comics, commercial logos, and projects for clients and/or friends in addition to dynamic “youtube” clips,” added Gonzo. “His surfing is always explosive and out of the water he is a humble, friendly guy that just loves the surfing experience as a whole package rather than as a one-track thing. Never one to ego trip, Kristian can handle thousands of hours in his white Toyota in order to be there when the waves pump,” concluded Manny.
Fernando Alvarez, a local who has also done his fair share of driving for surf, had this to say about Ferreira, “Besides Babby Quiñones, Kristian is the most motivated person I know in terms of wanting to shoot video and photos. He’s a very healthy person and I always see him training to improve his surfing, and I think all the time he has spent on the island’s north coast surfing and filming himself surf has really helped him progress,” said Alvarez. “All in all, Kristian treats his surfing they way it should be treated, with a competitive element, but more as a lifestyle.”
Fernando Guasp, who started competing in the FSPR in 1988, says “I used to see him in every contest, even though he was not competing yet. He has always been a soul surfer, but later on he started to compete with a small group in the southeast district. I was retired from surfing for a while and Wuz was the one who motivated me to go back to the water. Representing the southeast region I was able to reach the top 15 of the FSPR rankings, and I would like Wuz to represent our region, too,” continued Guasp. “I’m confident he can do it because he is at the top of his game. He is one of my bros, and I don’t call just anyone that. He is for real, a good friend, and I respect him as a surfer and as an artist,” concluded Fernando.
As a hobby Kristian produces and edits his own surf movies using the island’s scenery and surf spots as his inspiration. One of his videos competed for Surf Caribe’s Medalla Light Video Challenge in 2009 and was a top 5 contender. Also, in his free time, he will paint big canvases often inspired by his surfing sessions and comic stories he has created such as “The Adventures of Wuz” which appeared in Buena Ola Magazine.
Full Name: Kristian Ferreira
Nickname: Wuz
Date & Place of Birth: 10/15/74 in Santurce, Puerto Rico
Hometown: Humacao
Height/weight: 5’ 11/155 lbs.
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Fox, Zambrana Surfboards , Pointbreak Surfshop
Ranking: Currently ranked #37 in the APSPR
Quiver: 5 boards
Surf Crew: East Side
School/College: Associates Degree in Communication Technologies
Grade/Year: Working on Bachelors Degree
Occupation: Artist/Pizza Delivery
Company: Art/The Flying Pizza
I started surfing: in 1988-89 at the Palmas del Mar beachbreaks
Local surf spot: Palmas del Mar beachbreaks
Favorite wave: Gas Chambers, PR and Pavones, Costa Rica
First board: It was a 5’ 10” swallow tail shaped by Greg Jaudon
Hot Dog Stick- every day board: 5’ 3” Mayhem …Lost
Magic Stick – favorite board ever: 6’ 2” Channel Island by Al Merrick
Big Wave Gun: Working on a 7’0” Zambrana Design
Best Session: Gas Chambers, PR and at a surrealistic secret spot in Costa Rica
Best Contest result: Made the finals at a local contest recently
Favorite Maneuver: Anything full rotation
Secret Weapon: B/S 360 air
Workin’ on: F/S 360 air
Dream maneuver: Anything with a kickflip in it
Favorite Surfer: Jorge Camacho and Chris Ward
Favorite Shaper: Zambrana and Al Merrick
Top 5 Surfers: Locally: Dylan Graves, Josie Graves, Brian Toth, Ale Moreda, Gaby Escudero, and internationally: Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith, Andy Irons, and Taj Burrow
Top 5 Surf DVD’s: Dane Reynolds: The First Chapter, Stranger Than Fiction, Who is JOB, Julian Wilson’s Scratching The Surface, and My Eyes Won’t Dry 2.
Top 5 Music bands: The Presets, Gorillaz, Throwdown, Cut Copy, Bob Marley
Best Post-surf Munchies: Sweet and Sour Chicken with fried rice
Favorite Food: Anything with rice and beans
Tail Slide or Rail Carve? Rail Carve
Get Barreled or Get Air? Get Barreled
Contest Machine or Soul Surfer? Soul Surfer
Paddle or Tow? Paddle
Log or Fish? Fish
Epoxy or Polyester? Polyester
My favorite thing about surfing is: the adventure of traveling and trying to be in the right place at the right time.
In ten years I see myself: really stoked if I’m still surfing.
If I’m not in the water I’m probably: dying to get back out there.
You’d never guess I’m also pretty good at: drawing and video games.
If I couldn’t surf I’d definitely be: a tattoo artist.
Most of what I’ve accomplished in this sport I owe it to: God, my parents, my friends, sponsors, surf magazines and Mother Ocean.
I have a recurrent dream about: getting spit out of a big hollow barrel then just waving at the people on the beach shouting, “I love you alll!”
One thing I’d like people to know about me is: that I feel very lucky to have been able to grow up surfing the beautiful waves of Puerto Rico where you can find a wide variety of very consistent breaks.
Open Mic – Last Words: I want to thank God for each and every day I am able to surf, and thanks to all the people that help me with my surfing!
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