Summer camp is hardly a novel concept, but Quiksilver’s training camp is something a bit different. Every year, Quicksilver takes the time to put on an intensive, week-long camp designed to provide its youngest teamriders with the right tools to develop their growing talents. “It’s about reinvesting in what we’ve already invested in,” explained Matt Kechele, Quiksilver’s East Coast team manager. “We’ve spent quite a bit of money getting these kids outfitted and on trips and what have you, so I think it’s kind of the final box to tick off so that we know we’re doing our best for the kids and coaching them and mentoring them.”
This year, the camp was held in Huntington Beach, CA, from June 6th-12th, and Quiksilver’s East Coast and Hawaiian grom squads came together for coaching and training under the direction of Australian expert Mick Cain. The East Coast roster included South Carolina’s Luke Gordon, Puerto Rico’s Mauro Diaz, Jupiter, FL’s, Giorgio Gomez, and Deerfield Beach, FL’s, Tanner Strohmenger. “We did everything from working with the kids on their surfboard equipment to teaching them how to work with photographers and videographers and just being on top of their game,” Kechele recalled. “A lot of being a pro surfer is just being prepared both mentally and physically, so we do a lot of training with the kids and taught them about eating well.”
Each morning began with the crew wolfing down a healthy breakfast then loading into the van and heading out for whichever local sandbar was breaking best. They’d surf for about three or four hours, then break for lunch to watch some film and get pointers from Mick. “It’s really good because, a lot of times, Mick picks up on things that we’ve been telling the kids all along, and I think it kind of reaffirms it when they hear it from him,” Kechele said. “Mick has a great way of really breaking things down and speaking with the kids and encouraging them.”
Most days, there was time for a second surf session, and then everyone would head back to Quiksilver’s beachside rental house to enjoy a home-cooked meal courtesy of the group’s own private chef. The kids were far from roughing it, but that doesn’t mean the trip was all fun and games. Aside from soaking up all the advice and critiques flying around throughout the week, Luke, Mauro, Giorgio, and Tanner were also responsible for sticking to an exercise routine. “In the past, we almost went overboard with the exercise thing, and we were really kind of wearing the kids out,” Kechele said. “So we’ve kind of pulled back on that and focused more on just their surfing, but we still do some calisthenics and keep them busy with things that are going to build those muscles that they use most in surfing.”
And by the end of the camp, the coaches’ only hope was that their kids might have the edge they’d need to really stand out. “It helps prepare them mentally for the big comps and teaches them how to prepare themselves to make the most of their surfing careers,” Kechele said. “And for us, it kind of helps us to make a critical analysis of where they’re at and what we think their overall potential is. Ultimately it would be great to see the kids make it in the big leagues and become part of the ASP elite. That’s kind of what we try to guide them toward.”
