Russell Ruiz

Tough call. Best day of my life at the Con after 40 some years? The triple OH 8 second long, “Black Hole” tube I made at Hanalei (or any sunny day with good waves at Hanalei over a 30 year period); the two DOH+ 100 yd. long tube rides I made at J-Bay; surfing OH backside tuberides all day at Restaurants with literally only a couple of guys out!!!!!!!!!! 

My 2 1/2 year old daughter Stella is a 9th generation Santa Barbara loc; both my Mom and Dad were born in SB.  I got an early start (surfing) with a cousin who was like a brother who was 7 years older, and our Moms would take us anywhere we wanted to go, mostly La Conchita, Stanleys and small Con at first.  I started surfing and hanging at Hammond’s @ 12; started surfing Con everyday it broke in the winter of ‘68-69 (except for The Big Swell, surfed Hammond’s and Fernald’s).  I got my first a car @ 16, and surfed everyday there was waves between Jalama and Oxnard.  I moved to Kauai @ 18 and lived there for most of the next 10 years ‘72-81.  During this time I became good friends with the Irons bros’ Dad who was a hot big wave rider in the day.  I surfed Hawaii every Winter from ‘66-2003, the first time in ‘66 when my Dad was at Pearl Harbor, a B-17 pilot stationed @ Hickam Field.  1966 was the 25th Anniversary/Reunion, surfed great Waikiki, HH Laniakea, and I became hooked for life!  I circumnavigated the globe chasing waves.  If I was giving advice to a young surfer wanting to chase real waves, I would say spend Oct-Mar in Hawaii, Apr-Jun outer islands Tahiti, as much time as you can afford on Tavarua, as much time as you can stand it @ G-Land, and make sure you get J-Bay good.  Always remember Karma is real, and be sure to live life by the Golden Rule!  Aloha, Russell.