[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVh6ISY_DEc[/youtube]
(Bill Laity, our very own Ask A Dude, took a break from administering his special blend of love/life advice to interview local phenom Jason Kuhio Miller.)
From dawn’s first light ’til the “green flash” you can find this San Clemente native decimating any given spot from Salt Creek to Lowers. I decided to ask Jason what first comes to mind with some of his firsts…
FIRST TIME AND PLACE YOU EVER SURFED:
The first memory I have of surfing was up North in Santa Barbara at this secret little surf spot where my dad owns some property. I would consider the water really cold by my standards today, however, I was surfing in a spring suit in early spring. Ironic? Anyway, my dad let me borrow his 6’8” and I went out with my best friend Chase. From this day on, it has inspired me everyday.FIRST PERSON WHO INSPIRED YOU TO START SURFING:
I would definitely have to say my dad had a major impact. Also, mid way through the 4th grade the Gudauskas boys came to my elementary school.
Seeing the passion they had for surfing along with their talent…I think that really got me going as well.
FIRST FAMILY MEMBER YOU SURFED WITH:
My dad. Everyone in my family surfs except my mom.
FIRST SPONSOR:
Tom Whitaker (Not the WCT surfer) shaped all my boards until I was about 18.
FIRST CONTEST WIN:
I was a late bloomer to the whole contest scene. I think I won some local event at the pier when I was 16 or 17. The first-place prize was a custom board from Midget Smith. I wish I had kept that board.
FIRST SURF TRIP:
Ever since I could remember, I was going on road trips up the coast of California in search of getting out of the Orange County bubble, and scoring some more remote uncrowded waves. My dad had spent a lot of time during his childhood searching for waves all over from Zuma to Big Sur.
FIRST TIME AND PLACE YOU EVER GOT BARRELED:
I did a road trip with my good friend Duncan down to San Miguel. Of course, at the time, the trip was more emphasized on buying useless toys to entertain ourselves. (I bought a blow dart gun, however, it didn’t go over very well with my parents. One eventually popped my dad’s bicycle tire… but that’s another story). Anyway, back to the barrel, I just remember it blowing offshore and it must have been by accident. It’s still a memory that’s etched in my mind.
FIRST TIME YOU EVER MADE OUT WITH A GIRL:
This is a G rated interview.
WAS SHE HOT:
See above
FIRST TIME YOU BLEW CHUNKS DUE TO AN EXTREMELY HEAVY NIGHT OF DRINIKIN’:
Same as above.
FIRST MAG PHOTO:
It’s hard to say. It was during Nationals, when I was a top contender.
FIRST TIME AT LOWERS:
It’s sad to say but I was on a boogie board. I don’t remember how old I was, maybe 10 or 11. I remember sitting outside on the shoulder on the rights. Shane Beshen had taken off on a set wave and did this carve so close to me I could hear his fins cutting through the water.
FIRST SURF VID THAT GOT YOU SUPER AMPED TO GO OUT AND BLOW UP:
Loose Change. The skits between surf sections were classic. Tim Curran as the pizza boy was a crack up.
FIRST TIME YOU WERE ON A SURF TRIP AND HOOKED UP WITH A GIRL WHO WAS NOT FROM THE U.S.:
Again, G-rated.
FIRST TIME U EVER USED THE “F” WORD:
I try not to. It slips every now and then. I try not to direct it at anybody either.
FIRST TIME YOU EVER WENT PARTYING WITH “ASK A DUDE” IN NEWPORT:
It was a disaster, and might have been one of the worsts nights I have ever had going out. I think the worst part was sleeping outside.
FIRST TIME YOU EVER WENT SURFING WITH KELLY (SLATER):
We surfed lowers together maybe a couple years ago?
FIRST SURFBOARD YOU EVER OWNED:
My dad got it for me for my birthday. I think I was 11 years old?
FIRST TIME YOU GOT SCARED IN BIG SURF:
It probably happened daily when I was learning. However, once you just give it ago and experience a bad fall, you come up and realize it isn’t that bad. People fear what they don’t know.
FIRST TIME YOU WENT WITH BRANDON RAGENOVICH ON A SURF TRIP AND HAD HIM VANISH AT A PARTY AND ENDED UP HAVING TO LISTEN TO HIM BLOW CHUNKS ALL NITE IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM:
I’m sure he doesn’t want the world to know about this one.
FIRST TIME YOU EVER GOT A PRETTY SERIOUS INJURY FROM SURFING?
Last year I tore some tendons in my ankle really bad. I pulled into a barrel backside, and right as I was coming out, the backwash landed on my back and put a lot of pressure on my back foot. I crawled up the beach and went straight to the doctor. I was out of the water for 2 months.
FIRST TIME YOU WERE COMPLIMENTED FOR COMPLETELY ANNIHILATING A WAVE:
I’m still working on that.
FIRST TIME YOU YELLED AT SOMEBODY FOR SNAKING YOU:
I just like to send them to the beach in a polite fashion.
FIRST TIME “ASK A DUDE” COMPLETELY KICKED YOUR ASS AT PING PONG:
I don’t recall this ever happening.
THE LAST COOL ITEM YOU GOT HOOKED UP WITH FROM SWELL:
The Insight “Blunt” flannel and the Vans Low Crepe shoes. You really can’t go wrong with those fine-and-dandy brands Swell carries.
Can’t get enough? Click here to read more about Jason and his family.