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Interview: Rusty Sage

Rusty Sage

Interview with Rusty Sage.

kayak surfThis interview was originally produced for the Portuguese web site 'kayaksurf.net' and is published exclusively on Playak in english to make it available to a wider audience. The portuguese version of the interview, with larger versions of some of the photos, is available here.

Rusty Sage, 2x Winner of the Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Contest

Rusty Sage Short Facts:

Name: Rusty Sage
Age: 25
Address: Reno, NV
Occupation: Staff Engineer, Kennedy Jenks Consultants; Whitewater Kayaker; Outdoor Sports Specialist
Competition Records:
Years of surfkayaking: 13
Web Page: http://www.geocities.com/rustysage1/
Sponsors: Red Bull, Wave Sport, Oakley, AT Paddles, Dakine, Kokatat

Accomplishments:

1996 Pre-World Champion, Freestyle Jr.
1997 World Surf Kayak Champion, Freestyle, Sr.
1998 Pre-World Champion Freestyle, Sr.
1999 National Surf Kayak Champion High Performance
2001 Big Air World Champion
2004 Gorge Games Head to Head, 2nd Place
2004 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Chico State
2005 Surf Kayak Champion @ Steamers Lane, High Performance
2005 Costa Rica - 4th Men IC; World Team Champion USA West
2005 Turkey Extreme Race - 4th overall
2005 Big Wave Event - 1st, Best Ride - Ottawa, CAN
2006 Surf Kayak Champion, World Cup #2 - Santa Cruz, CA

Rusty Sage Indonesia
Surfing in Indonesia

Other interests:
Snowboarding (1st Open Men USASA, Slopestyle; 4th Open Men Snowbomb.com, Slopestyle).
Kiteboarding (7 years experience, check photos soon), love this sport, you can go so big.
Mountain Bike Freeride (go to whistler, and it will change you).

Rusty Sage Turkey Creeking
Creeking in Turkey

Hi Rusty, you're into many different types of paddling. What do you prefer: creeking, river kayaking, rodeo or surfkayaking?
I have been enjoying surf kayaking a ton lately because there is so much to learn right now and the sport is progressing at an incredible rate. Unfortunately I live 5 hours from the coast so I have been creek boating a lot this winter and it feels great. I just got a drysuit from Kokatat and it makes such a world of difference in warmth for winter boating in the Sierras.

Each type of kayaking compliments eachother by making you feel comfortable and mentally strong. I have always used surf kayak techniques on the river when attaining speed for a big maneuver / aireal.

It is very important to understand the ocean and its people. We river kayakers know so much about the river: what makes it go up and down, why it changes so much, how friends get in trouble and how to save them, and so on. The surfers are the same way about the ocean, it's just their mentality is a bit different.

You won last year in Santa Cruz and again this year! What's your secret?
No secret. Paddle Hard, Be Creative, & Want it more than anyone else.

Rusty Sage

Which is your favorite class, open or IC?
Open. One can do more on the wave with fins and a smaller shape, and it's the Future.

Do you agree with the recent changes in the IC and HP rules?
Yes, the time was right to define HP as under 9'.

Are you satisfied with your participation in the Costa Rica Worlds last year?
During the competition I injured my ribs really bad, and ended up getting really sick. I am completely satisfied about Costa Rica, and there was a lot of excitment with the sport there, that was cool to be a part of.

The last time we wrote about you was before the incredible Pororoca Adventure. Tell us something about it.
The Pororoca is an incredible adventure and an incredible wave. A group full of characters and incredible paddlers to seek out one of the biggest bores in the world. Corran did an incredible job with the DVD Pororoca, I suggest checking it out.

Rusty Sage Pororoca
Pororoca

You're a committee member of WSKA and you suggested holding a World Cup in the alternate years. Are you satisfied with this year's first "world circuit"?
I am satisfied with the 1st World Cup for Surf Kayaking. There is still a lot to be done, but I couldn't have done it without the help from fellow members and support from the WSKA. We want to see the World's best surf kayakers at the finals and increase the level of competition throughout the world. So far that has been a success.

And what do you think about the evolution of surf kayaking around the world?
At this last worlds it was amazing to see the comradery of teams of new countries such as the Basque, and the level of their paddling. Edu is one example of an extraordinary paddler raising the level around his scene and he will inspire more people to get into the sport. Thats what it's about.

There are so many areas that have access to surf around the world, and there are many people that haven't been exposed to surf kayaking, and once they see it, it is my hope that people will try it out and get their buddies into it.

Your favorite surf kayak?
Vince Shay Designs: Reaction.

Reaction Surf Kayak
Reaction

And your favorite other gear?
Paddle - AT2 flex. Life jacket - Astral. Also a 2 mm s/s top, and Mountain Surf spray deck.

You're a Mechanical Engineer, but do you imagine yourself as a "pro surf kayaker"?
I am a staff engineer and a pro kayaker. All forms fall into this, we are working on the world cup to try and get it so that one day someone will be able to call themselves a pro surf kayaker.

Your scariest moment at sea?
Falling off my waveski with the lap belt off in front of the cliffs at steamers at high tide.

Where do you usually surf?
Cali coast, usually ocean beach in San Francisco.

Which was the best spot you surfed so far?
Macaronis, Indonesia.

Indonesia Macaronis
Macaronis, Indonesia

How would you describe the perfect wave to kayaksurf?
Similar to steamers when the indicator is firing. Long rides, steep sections, and pleanty of shoulder.

Your favorite move?
There are two:

  1. Combo: Helix to bottom turn, to lip smack
  2. Off the lip Pan-Am. Aireal drive off the lip barrel roll with a 180 spin, land and make the section.

What are you listening to at this moment on your Ipod?
Johnny Cash & Matisyahu.

Rusty Sage
On the Nile

Any suggestions for readerswho want to start kayak surfing?
Respect gets Respect. Never paddle straight to the top of the line up! Always hold back behind a surfer and take the waves that they won't have. This just sets the tone. Then have fun and rip up the sections, and be in control.

Thanks a lot Rusty and keep riding!

Text -Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos -Personal Archive of Rusty Sage + Jenning Steger + www.attoltravel.com

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