GALEN LICHT / ENGLISH LIGHT VERSION
GALEN LICHT / Santa Cruz Kayaksurf Festival Winner 2010 & 2011
Name: Galen Licht
Age: 23 years old
Occupation: Energy Conservation Consultant
Address: California
Competition records:
1st place SCKSf 2010,
1st place SCPF 2011,
3 times placed top 5 in world championships
Paddling experience: I have been paddling since I was old enough to hold a paddle.
Sponsors: Valley Suf Kayaks, Kokatat Water Wear, Werner, Snap dragon
Gear: Valley rush +, Werner Stikine Bentshaft paddle, Gath helmet and Kokatat lifejacket and paddling top.
Hello Galen, do you remember how you started in kayaks?
My dad got my brother and I in boats before we could ride bikes. He taught us to roll when we were 7 years old.
Do you have any other paddling experience?
I have competed in river competitions since I was 13 years old. When I was in 8th grade I traveled with a kayak school training for river kayak contests. I am a Sea Kayak instructor during the summers as well. Other than surf kayak contests the only competing I do is down river extreme races.
Now, about this second victory in Santa Cruz... what's the secret?
It is to have as much fun as possible. I think it is important not to get psyched out. A lot of good paddlers come from all over the world to compete but I have to remember my biggest competitor is myself. All I can do is surf my best and that is what I try to do when competing. If I surfed my best and lost then I know I did all I could and need to train more. I am confident that when I surf my best I can place well so that is what I focus on.
This year the event was quite peculiar...
This was a hectic year. The organizing committee did a great job adapting to the conditions and weather. Leading up to the event the waves were great which allowed time to get comfortable at the lane again. I have to say that the waves on Saturday were very intimidating. The winds made it hard to predict where the waves were going to break and line up. Even though the weather didn’t cooperate all the competitors stayed positive and tried their best. Only once a year do we have the chance to surf the lane with just 3 others so I will take it any way I can. I am already looking forward to next year.
Besides Santa Cruz, where do you usually surf?
I have been living in the Mountains this winter so I have not been surfing much. Before I moved to the mountains I only surfed in Santa Cruz. But if I am not close the ocean then I try to get on the rivers.
What do you think about the evolution of surfkayaking worldwide?
I think surf kayaking is evolving and becoming more accepted in the surfing community. My favorite thing about the big contests is that it brings kayaks from all over the world that are pushing the sport.
And about riders… do you have anyone in special that admires very much?
Dave Johnston was the first one to take me kayak surfing and since then we have traveled the world competing. I think he has very good style, smooth and he is not afraid of the big waves. I also admire Steve Farthing’s surfing. I think he is pushing the sport forward as much as anyone else in the world. He is bringing a very dynamic style of kayaking adapted from wave sking. ,
How often do you participate in surfkayak competitions?
Whenever I can afford to travel, which is typically not very often. I love competing though and always looking forward to the next one.
Best memories about Portugal World Cup Finals 2006...
The big ship stuck on the beach, for sure.
When do you'll come again till Portugal?
No plans at the moment.
Do you follow kayaksurf.net?
I do, it’s the only place to see what other events are going on around the world.
Are you going till USA East for the Worlds?
I am planning on it.
Give us some suggestions for those who want to start kayaksurf...
My advice is start slow and with small waves. There is no rush to surf big waves. I think the most important thing is to build confidence and try to relax and enjoy the ride.
And that's all Galen! All the best for the Worlds ;)
ALL PHOTOS HERE:
http://www.kayaksurf.net/GalenLicht.html
Name: Galen Licht
Age: 23 years old
Occupation: Energy Conservation Consultant
Address: California
Competition records:
1st place SCKSf 2010,
1st place SCPF 2011,
3 times placed top 5 in world championships
Paddling experience: I have been paddling since I was old enough to hold a paddle.
Sponsors: Valley Suf Kayaks, Kokatat Water Wear, Werner, Snap dragon
Gear: Valley rush +, Werner Stikine Bentshaft paddle, Gath helmet and Kokatat lifejacket and paddling top.
Hello Galen, do you remember how you started in kayaks?
My dad got my brother and I in boats before we could ride bikes. He taught us to roll when we were 7 years old.
Do you have any other paddling experience?
I have competed in river competitions since I was 13 years old. When I was in 8th grade I traveled with a kayak school training for river kayak contests. I am a Sea Kayak instructor during the summers as well. Other than surf kayak contests the only competing I do is down river extreme races.
Now, about this second victory in Santa Cruz... what's the secret?
It is to have as much fun as possible. I think it is important not to get psyched out. A lot of good paddlers come from all over the world to compete but I have to remember my biggest competitor is myself. All I can do is surf my best and that is what I try to do when competing. If I surfed my best and lost then I know I did all I could and need to train more. I am confident that when I surf my best I can place well so that is what I focus on.
This year the event was quite peculiar...
This was a hectic year. The organizing committee did a great job adapting to the conditions and weather. Leading up to the event the waves were great which allowed time to get comfortable at the lane again. I have to say that the waves on Saturday were very intimidating. The winds made it hard to predict where the waves were going to break and line up. Even though the weather didn’t cooperate all the competitors stayed positive and tried their best. Only once a year do we have the chance to surf the lane with just 3 others so I will take it any way I can. I am already looking forward to next year.
Besides Santa Cruz, where do you usually surf?
I have been living in the Mountains this winter so I have not been surfing much. Before I moved to the mountains I only surfed in Santa Cruz. But if I am not close the ocean then I try to get on the rivers.
What do you think about the evolution of surfkayaking worldwide?
I think surf kayaking is evolving and becoming more accepted in the surfing community. My favorite thing about the big contests is that it brings kayaks from all over the world that are pushing the sport.
And about riders… do you have anyone in special that admires very much?
Dave Johnston was the first one to take me kayak surfing and since then we have traveled the world competing. I think he has very good style, smooth and he is not afraid of the big waves. I also admire Steve Farthing’s surfing. I think he is pushing the sport forward as much as anyone else in the world. He is bringing a very dynamic style of kayaking adapted from wave sking. ,
How often do you participate in surfkayak competitions?
Whenever I can afford to travel, which is typically not very often. I love competing though and always looking forward to the next one.
Best memories about Portugal World Cup Finals 2006...
The big ship stuck on the beach, for sure.
When do you'll come again till Portugal?
No plans at the moment.
Do you follow kayaksurf.net?
I do, it’s the only place to see what other events are going on around the world.
Are you going till USA East for the Worlds?
I am planning on it.
Give us some suggestions for those who want to start kayaksurf...
My advice is start slow and with small waves. There is no rush to surf big waves. I think the most important thing is to build confidence and try to relax and enjoy the ride.
And that's all Galen! All the best for the Worlds ;)
ALL PHOTOS HERE:
http://www.kayaksurf.net/GalenLicht.html
posted by kayaksurf.net at 3:32 da tarde
1 Comments:
Amazing post, I was present and it was amazing to watch all these professional guys.
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