5-Time Rincon Classic Winner Interviewed by Evan Rhodes of Postmodern Surfer
Surfer/Skater/Artist READ THE FULL STORY
Kilian Killin’ The ‘Con Photo: Jon Shafer
What up Kilian?
“Kilian Garland is a great surfer who is accomplished in both free surfing and contests. His personality is laid back and friendly. He embodies the Postmodern Surfer because of his many talents and interests. He is a surfer, a skater, and an artist.”
PMS: Killian, How are you doing?
KG: Ok, how are you doing?
PMS: I’m good, thank you. Killian you lead a busy life, what have you been up to lately?
KG: Just nonstop surfing. It’s been like a permanent surf trip here in California. The waves just don’t stop.
PMS: Tell me a little bit about how you started surfing. Did you family get you into it?
KG: Yeah, my father got me into it and my mom. I was little, and eventually they just took me out to Sandspit, and I was pretty young. I got pushed into one and everyone yelled, “Stand up, stand up!” and then I guess I got up, rode the wave for a little bit.
PMS: Where have you been surfing lately?
KG: Pretty much just Rincon, and a couple beach breaks.
PMS: Speaking of Rincon, how many times have you won the Rincon Classic?
KG: 5 times.
PMS: I know you’ve won a lot of contests but what does it mean to win the Rincon Classic?
KG: It’s really special to win in your local area. There’s a lot more people around that I know and it’s really cool having an event so close to home. Getting to watch some of the best surfers in the area surf is really fun and enjoyable too.
PMS: Tell me a little bit about your life. Where were you born?
KG: I was born in Cottage Hospital here in Santa Barbara. I lived here for 4 years and then moved up to the valley and lived there for like 7 years and then ended up splitting my time between there and Santa Barbara.
PMS: What’s your birthday?
KG: January 22, 1987
PMS: What’s it like being a pro surfer, I know that’s a career a lot of people dream of having.
KG: It’s awesome . You have to stay on top of your game and really keep at it but you couldn’t ask for a better job. There’s nothing better than just going out there and just competing for something you love and something you cherish.
PMS: Are you inspired at all by the Olympics?
KG: Yes, for sure. I love watching the Olympics and especially snowboarding, it’s something similar to like surfing. Seeing Shaun White is really cool. The athleticism that’s going on out there is awesome.
PMS: What’s your best surfing memory?
KG: My first and only time surfing Mavericks was really cool. It was a really foggy day. Everyone just sort of got there and checked in then the fog eased up a little bit. I was on a jet ski with Tom Carey and we were going probably about 40mph and all of a sudden we almost ran straight into the jetty, because it was so foggy we couldn’t tell where we were going. Then after that we went back to the dock and Kenny “Skindog” Collins was there and said he would show us how to get out there because we couldn’t figure out how to get out of the harbor. And then finally we got out there and as soon as we got there Tom Carey told me to get off the ski. The lineup had 20 footers come in and it was crazy. I just sat there and watched for like 20-30 minutes before I even thought about paddling for a wave.
PMS: But you caught one?
KG: Yeah I ended up catching one. I paddled so hard and then I stayed on top of the wave forever. Then it let me down and I just skyrocketed down the wave.
PMS: That sounds amazing. When you’re not surfing what are you up to?
KG: Hang out with my girlfriend and trying to either do art or take photos. Sometimes I’m *skateboarding, hiking, but mostly I’m just surfing.
PMS: What are you favorite spots?
KG: I’d say Rincon is one of my favorites, and also a couple spots in Santa Cruz are pretty sick.
PMS: What do you think of the Santa Cruz boys?
KG: I think they’re great, I mean the way they surf and everything is amazing. A lot of them charge really hard. They can still perform on small and big waves.
PMS: What do you think about Flea?
KG: Flea’s an amazing surfer and his talent is pretty unbelievable. I mean whether it be airs or surfing Mavericks he really tries hard. There’s not too many guys that have caught as many big waves as him out there. It’s pretty cool.
PMS: Where’s your favorite place to eat locally after surfing?
KG:I like Wahoo’s, it’s pretty good.
PMS: Favorite local surf shop?
KG: One Way Board Shop is one of my favorites.
PMS: What’s on your iPod?
KG: Lots of Jack Johnson, and a lot of Reggae.
PMS: What are you favorite movies?
KG: I just saw this video recently it was in the Santa Barbara Film Festival. It’s a skate video. It was called Skatopia. It was just classic. I was laughing pretty hard.
PMS: How do you balance free surfing and competitive surfing? And where do you put yourself?
KG: Now show days the bar has gone up so high, if you want to make it at free surfing you better be really putting it down out there and competitive surfing is more about sheer knowledge and being about to focus while you’re out there, compete at a really even level and just keep it up and not be really good one day and then not the next so pretty much practice in a lot of conditions. Free surfing you might just want to focus on surfing perfect waves.
PMS: What does surfing mean as part of your life?
KG: It means a lot, it means pretty much everything to me. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it, it’s my job. Surfing has definitely been there for me.
PMS: Do you have anything you would like to say to your fans out there?
KG: Thanks to all my friends. Go check out my blog if you get a chance. Thanks!
** You can follow Kilian on his blog: http://kilgarz-kiliangarland.blogspot.com
We would like to thank Postmodern Surfer.com for sharing Kilian’s interview with us. Postmodern Surfer (“PMS”) is a strategic partner of Santa Barbara Surfer. We encourage you to check ‘em out!