Imagine getting a phone call from an unknown number. It could be anybody. A stalker ex-girlfriend. A forgotten relative asking for money. A vacuum cleaner salesman. It’s hardly ever someone calling to say you’ve won something. And if it is, it’s usually a prank. But when Andrew Jacobson received a call from SURFING and found out he’d won the first round of Rip Curl Grom Search Video Elections from Stop #1 in Huntington Beach, it was no joke. And neither was his frontside air reverse. In a field of talented surfers, Andrew’s single maneuver was clearly the most radical. Andrew could barely contain his elation, but kept it under control just long enough to talk with us.
I’m from Malibu, California.
IS THE ’BU YOUR HOME BREAK?
I surf Zuma Beach everyday. But I actually just surfed Malibu.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SURF SPOT?
Probably Costa Rica. Playa Hermosa, or something.
WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE SURFER?
IF YOU COULD ONLY DO ONE MANEUVER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The rodeo flip, I think. No, I take that back — just a back flip, actually. Back flips are harder.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MOST OVERRATED AND UNDERRATED MANUVERS IN SURFING?
Um, underrated is probably an ally-oop. I’d say overrated is, like, those tail-slide 360 things.
DO YOU THINK IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO WIN SOMETHING LIKE A PUBLIC POLL, OR THE EVENT ITSELF?
Probably this, actually, because it’s not just the judges decision, it’s everybody’s decision. Not just four people anymore.
WHEN YOU SURF HEATS, DO YOU CONSCIOUSLY SURF MORE CONSERVATIVLY THAN WHEN YOU FREE SURF?
At the Rip Curl Grom Search, I felt like I was free surfing, but then at Nationals, I was way more nervous. Sometimes I switch it up and sometimes I don't. But I mostly just try to go big.
DID YOU VOTE FOR YOURSELF?
No, but I told some people to vote because I was told I was on there.
DO YOU APPRECIATE RADICAL MANUVERS, EVEN IF IT’S ONE MOVE? OR DO YOU THINK TRADITIONAL COMBOS ARE THE WAY TO GO?
This is stop #1 of the Rip Curl Grom Search Video Elections. Make sure to vote for your favorite maneuver in the last three events as well. The winner of each election will get an interview on SurfingMagazine.com, while the overall winner receives a full-page “Threat” feature in SURFING. For more information click here .