Nic Jones (AUS) at the recent Rangi Pro Junior in French Polynesia. Pic ASP/Will H-S
COOLANGATTA, QLD/Australia (Thursday, May 9, 2013) - The Sunshine Coast has produced more than a handful of Australia’s most talented surfers, but Nic Jones is different from the rest. The 18-year-old from Buderim is chasing competitive surfing careers on both longboards and shortboards and is currently competing on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series as well as making his debut on the ASP World Longboard Tour in China later this year.
ASP Australasia caught up with Nic for a quick chat about competing in both disciplines.
Tell us about the similarities and differences competing on longboards and shortboards.
They’re similar in that you have to go out and try to surf your best against other really talented surfers, but they’re so different it’s hard to explain. Shortboarding is a bit more aggressive in the way that you surf and also the vibe of the competition. Longboarding is more of a fun vibe, everyone is having fun and the surfing is more relaxed.
Which do you prefer?
I’m lucky that I’m able to surf in both types of competitions because there’s not as many longboard or shortboard comps as there used to be, and doing both keeps me busy. I like them both for different reasons. I’ve been doing longboard comps since I was little and I love them, the competitions have a big community vibe and everyone is there to have fun. The good thing about shortboarding is I just got back from two competitions in Tahiti and some of the waves were amazing, it was a great trip, but the competition and level of surfing can be intense.
You’ll be competing for an ASP World Longboard Title in China later this year, how does that feel?
I’ve never been to China so I’m excited to go. I’ve heard a lot about the place and I can’t wait to experience it for myself. I’ve been surfing against ASP Longboard World Champions like Taylor Jensen and Harley Ingleby for the past few years on the ASP Australasia Longboard Qualifying Series and I really look up to them. I’ll be in a heat thinking that these are the guys I used to want autographs from and now I’m in the water with them, it’s unreal! Winning the ASP World Longboard Title is the ultimate goal, it’s my dream, but being my first year I’m just hoping to make a few heats and start to feel comfortable and see how I go from there.
Tell us about your plans for the rest of 2013.
I’ll be finishing off the QCC series and doing some local longboard competitions in-between doing my Bachelor of Commerce degree at Uni. There’s also the final ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series event for the year, the Be The Influence Surf Pro at Coffs Harbour which I really want to do well at. I’m also going to Taiwan for the Taiwan Open longboard event before going to China for the ASP World Longboard Title event in November. It’s going to be busy, but I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.
