Monday 11 October, 2010
Wahine Chronicles Maria Kuzmovich
Florida transplant, Maria Kuzmovich, is one of the most up-and-coming female surfers in the Caribbean. With a lot of hard work, and help from friends and family, Maria is looking to accomplish some big things in the near future.
By Rachel Tanner
It’s difficult to not notice Maria’s enthusiasm for life. She is driven in every aspect of her daily existence, and that drive seems to be evident in everything she does. When I first met Maria it was so refreshing to meet someone so positive and driven, but who at the same time maintains an overall serenity in her attitude. It almost seems as if she is destined to have an impact on not only the surfing community, but on almost any endeavor into which she may venture.
Maria was 17 when she started surfing. Some people might say this was a late start, but to Maria it was perfect timing. It came to her in a time in her life when she needed change, “I needed something different in my life, I was always busy, but nothing that I was doing seemed to be enough.”
Maria made her first trip to Puerto Rico from her hometown of Daytona Beach, Florida in 2006 with her brother, LJ. It was during this trip that she realized after surfing the waves here, that the island represented a turning point in her surfing. She knew she could fine tune her skills here, and make the progression from full-time free surfing into the more competitive realm. By this point Maria was already thinking of spending her winters in Puerto Rico, and doing whatever contests came up while she was here.
Always the athlete, she played softball, ran cross-country, and was a cheerleader in high school. She and brother, LJ, have held a summer surf camp for children from 6 to 18 years old for the last five years in Daytona Beach. The surf camp was another element of Maria’s life that added to the beach-bound quality of her surf related lifestyle. There has always been a very close, tight knit bond within the Kuzmovich family, and Maria speaks with such genuine love and sincerity about her family. It seems they have each other’s back, as well as a strong belief in God. Nevertheless, when you might expect her to be less than aggressive, Maria has always maintained her competitive spirit, although at times to an extreme. ”I am always so hard on myself when it comes to surfing,” commented Maria.
Last year Maria travelled to Puerto Rico for the Corona contest held at Middles. She placed third, delivered an amazing performance, and met some wonderful people, among them local surfer, Josie Graves. Their connection was fairly instantaneous. Josie’s initial reaction was that Maria was the complete package. “I never met anyone so extremely thrilled with life, and determined at the same time,” commented Josie. “She is driven for progression in her surfing, and disciplined in exercise and diet. Maria finds a way to make the best of everything.”
Since that time, Maria and Josie have been inseparable. They have travelled to Hawaii, Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and California together, and have always made the most of the surf they encounter.
“Travel is a big priority for me,” said Maria. “I want to work on getting recognition and doing some professional women’s events. I am thankful for all the support I have and look forward to finding future sponsors.”
This past summer Maria signed with Sanuk.
The winter of ‘09/’10 was Maria’s first season on the island, but based on how she handled herself you would have thought she was a seasoned veteran. She spoke about one day in particular at Table Rock and a heavy pounding she took on the inside. “It was my first time paddling out at Table Rock,” recalled Maria. “I had been given the run down on where to sit and where to come in, but the inside bowl is what caught me by surprise. I duck dove an inside wave right in front of the rocks and got tossed off my board. I got back on and was in a panic because the rocks were right behind me. I was desperately paddling but going nowhere when I saw Guaili Ramirez waving me to the left. As soon as I headed to the left I was able to make my way toward the channel and get outside. After that I knew NOT to get caught inside!” she concluded. After this day and some solid performances at places like Middles and Wilderness Maria has been turning heads.
“Maria is the type of girl who will keep you on your toes in and out of the water,” commented Josie. “She can probably out surf and out paddle most guys, and all of this flair comes from a girl who is so attractive she will leave you lost for words when she paddles by you in the water.”
Maria’s talents also overflow to her artwork, both on canvas and surfboards. She started painting around the same time she began surfing. Her canvases depict colorful, animated surf scenes. They are happy and positive, just like the vibe that resonates from her person and towards everyone around her.
Keep an eye Maria, as this is very likely only the beginning for her.
Full Name: Maria Lynette Kuzmovich
Nickname: Ree Ree
Date & Place of Birth: September 12, 1985 in Daytona Beach, FL
Hometown: Isabela and Daytona Beach
Height/weight: 5’4/130 lbs
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Sanuk Sandals & Christopher Bean Coffee
Ranking: (local & international)
Quiver: (number of boards) I have a 5’3” Al Merrick POD that I love!! I also have a 5’10” Orion short board that has changed my life, and a 6’2” Minami step up I have waiting for the winter.
Surf Crew: Josie Graves, T Jolta, and Dan aka BOYZ! I love surfing with the girls when we get a chance, Lisie Gonzalez, Liz Hauser, and Barbie Graves.
School/College: Daytona State College
Grade/Year:
Occupation: Surfer/Bartender
Company: Easy Riders
I started surfing in: 2003 at: the Sun Glow Pier in Daytona Beach, FL with my best friend Sarah Malone. We both started surfing that year and became addicted! My older brother LJ helped us out a lot and took us on our first surf trip to Costa Rica in 2005.
Local surf spot: You will catch me surfing all over the place in Aguadilla and Isabela. I love all the beaches over here. I recently surfed Hollows for the first time and I really like that wave, too.
Favorite wave: (local & international) I love Surfer’s Beach and Lowers. I went out to California for the Volcom Championships this past summer and didn’t do too well in the contest, so I spent most of my time down at Trestles surfing Uppers and Lowers. Even with a pretty serious crowd I was able to get some close to perfect rights and lefts! The water was pretty cold so I had to come in and sit on the beach for a while. It was not that bad because I got to see some pretty amazing surfing going on.
First board: My brother’s single fin fish that we called “the Hog”. I eventually got my own board, a 6’0” Westwind fun shape.
Hot Dog Stick – every day board: My Al Merrick 5’3” POD. That thing is magical. It is super fast and easy to move around, it’s the perfect summer board.
Magic Stick – favorite board ever: My 5’10” Orian short board that I have right now. I remember the first couple times I rode it I couldn’t stop smiling. I feel like this board helped my surfing a lot. It is the perfect board for me right now.
Big Wave Gun: 6’2 Minami rounded pin sitting in my board rack waiting for Wilderness this winter 
I can’t wait to try it as I really want to charge some bigger surf this winter. The past winter had some pretty big surf and I sat on the beach more then I wanted to, so this coming winter I am going to make up for it!
Best Session: My friends are always laughing at me because every time I have a good session I claim it is my best session ever! The funny thing is that every time I claim my best session ever I really believe it.
Best Contest result: 2nd place ESA Easterns, 3rd place Corona Pro at Middles, and 2nd place Women’s Pro in El Salvador.
Favorite Maneuver: Tail slides. Such a fun feeling!
Secret Weapon: Hacks
Workin’ on: Tiny air turns… I have not landed one yet but I get closer each time.
Dream maneuver: It would be awesome to be able to do air reverses, and surfing with Josie is my first step to learning
Favorite Surfer: Parko is my favorite surfer to watch. I really like his smooth style.
Favorite Shaper: That is a hard question, I like a lot of shapers and don’t think I can choose just one. Right now I really like Al Marrick and Mayhem surfboards.
Top 5 Surfers: Joel Parkinson, Carissa Moore, Coco Ho, Josie Graves, and Melanie Bartels
Top 5 Surf dvd’s: Aka Girl Surfer, Shimmer, Stranger then Fiction, Days of the Strange, and Endless Summer 2 will always be a favorite.
Top 5 Music bands: I love Ben Harper! He is amazing and I could listen to his music everyday. I wake up and put on Bob Marley every morning while I have my coffee and check the waves. I also like Rise Against, Alanis Morissette, and Cultura Profectica.
Best Post-surf Munchies: Cuban sandwich from the El Mana Bakery with a sugar donut and an Arizona Green Tea.
Favorite Food: I really, really enjoy eating EVERYTHING! haha I love Sushi, pizza, and pasta.
Tail Slide or Rail Carve? Tail slide, I guess. I really like both but I guess the tail slide has a little more flair.
Get Barreled or Get Air? Barrels all day long. They are so beautiful.
Contest Machine or Soul Surfer? Both. I really enjoy competing and think contests are a lot of fun but sometimes it is awesome to just surf. I don’t think I would be happy just doing one.
Paddle or Tow? Paddle. I don’t think I would ever want anything to do with waves that I would need to get pulled into. I really admire the surfers that charge big waves either way, paddling or towing.
Log or Fish? Fish. I have an Al Merrick POD that I have referred to a couple times now that I have used a lot this past summer, and I want to always have one in my quiver. It is the perfect fish for me.
Epoxy or Polyester? Polyester. I like epoxy boards, too, but I don’t like them all the time. When there is wind and the waves have some chop to them I think it is hard to ride an epoxy board. They hit the chop and bounce all over the place. In clean waves they are sick though.
My favorite thing about surfing’ is: being in the water with friends. I love how no matter how good or bad the waves are when you are in the water with your friends it is always fun. I surfed a session this past summer in the pouring rain with 15+ mph wind and had a blast because I was with my friends.
I’ve dealt with surfing being a male dominated culture by: accepting it for what it is. It does not really bother me too much. I know surfing can be a pretty dangerous and hard sport at times so maybe there are more guys willing to try it than girls, but for all the girls who get out there and charge I think there is a lot of respect for them.
In ten years I see myself: still surfing and traveling. Maybe I will have a little coffee shop/art gallery here in Puerto Rico with the ones I love.
If I’m not in the water, I’m probably: chillin’ at the house listening to music, painting, or messing around on the computer. I like to go bowling a lot, too.
You’d never guess I’m also pretty good at: skateboarding. I actually started skating before I started surfing. I was pretty good for a while but once I started surfing I stopped skating as much, but can still hold my own.
If I couldn’t surf I’d definitely be: sad. 
I think I might be a professional bowler though. I don’t know exactly what I would be doing, but I think I would be playing some sort of sport. I don’t ever see myself not being involved in some form of activity.
Most of what I’ve accomplished in this sport I owe it to: God. He always keeps me safe through travel and in the water. I know there have been some trying times and some scary times that I have had to rely on my faith in the Lord. He works it all out and here I am still surfing and traveling the world in search of perfect waves.
I have a recurrent dream about: hanging out with my Pops. He passed a little over a year and a half ago and I often have dreams about being together with him. It makes me super happy when I wake up. Other than that I have a bunch of random dreams.
One thing I’d like people to know about me is: that I love life and I am thankful to be here.
Open Mic – Last Words: Thanks Surf Caribe for choosing to do a profile on me, I hope everyone enjoyed getting to know me a little bit and thanks to everyone here in Puerto Rico for being so nice and welcoming in and out of the water.
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