Rider Profile: Jonah Romero

Waiehu, Maui

Fall 2005

In Maui you got it all. The people are very friendly, waterfalls, big shore breaks, world-class waves. It has the whole family feeling to it. It's unexplainable, Jonah Romero said.

Jonah is from Waiehu, Maui and believes that Maui is separated from other places in general because of the vibe.

“No ones out there to show off. Everyone’s just out there to have fun and have a good time. But you always got that one agg guy out that blows it for everyone, but hey you can't do anything, but smile, and keep on pluggin’,” Jonah said.

On Maui Jonah surf with his big bro’s Jacob and Joshua, Jimmy Hutaff, Shea Sevilla, Travis Calvan, Kona K, the Fuller bros and Kyle Hayashi. Just to name a few of the plethora of bodyboarders on Maui and there are a lot of them.

“I have no idea why there are so many bodyboarders on Maui. It's super sick though. I guess it’s just cause the simple fact that bodyboarders have more fun.”

There's so much support in Maui for bodyboarders. Shops like Hi-Tech and the Foam Company fully support the industry and there's nowhere else for the sport to go but up, Jonah said.

Bodyboarding is getting a lot more popular and people really don't have that rivalry between bodyboarders and surfers. In Maui everyone just cruises. A lot of people bodyboard in the islands, but this kid has some serious skills. His older brother Jacob rips and he is following in his foot steps. He has been competing for five years and riding for seven. And is starting to rack up more wins.

“My biggest accomplishment this year would probably be at the Rockstar Honolua Pro. I made it to the Semis and got spanked, but it was a real dream come true sponging with the guys I've looked up to all my life. Pretty much all the guys there, Jeff Hubbard, Mike Stewart, Dave Winchester, Mitch Rawlins, Guilherme Tamega, Ryan HArdy, Kingy and Kepa Kruse. These are guys I have posters up on my wall of and it's always been a dream to meet them. So by competing in the same contest as them it was a dream come true. All the Maui guys who have pushed me all these years were also there Jimmy Hutaff, Leroy Kaiwi, Evan Kaihue and Carey Kayama. These guys really pushed me to where I am today.” All that really matters is having fun with your buddies on Maui, catching some waves and pushing your riding to the next level. “When we go surfing it's super cool especially if all the boys are out. Cause then you got the whole vibe going and everyone's just pushing everyone out there. You can really feel the level of riding go up. Especially if my big bro (Jacob) is out because for me I always try to keep up with him but he's just on a whole other level.”

When Jonah was asked what was his best session ever his answer really put Maui sufing in perspective.

“My best session ever was this past Christmas eve. It started when we were at bible study at Jimmy's house. He said let's go surfing at this one spot, which will remain undisclosed. He invited everyone, so the next day it was like a tribe of like five full cars. We went out and it wasn't the best waves, but the fact that we were all out there just cruising and having fun that's what it was all about and to me that's why I bodyboard. To have a good time and chill with my buddies.”