By Amanda Blackwell – His name is Ryder Prouty, and we suggest you take a mental note on that name because you’ll likely be hearing it for years to come. Ryder’s Instagram feed is littered with content of him charging Waimea or catching huge airs in the Mentawai’s. At the age of 12 years old, he’s staked his claim as the top-ranked surfer from his age group on Maui, and is now turning heads on Oahu as someone we should all watch out for.
When we asked him to talk about his very first wave, he didn’t flinch in fast forwarding a bit. He wanted to talk about his first roundhouse cutback when he was 4 years old. He doesn’t seem to be phased by the humble beginnings, but he’s more stoked on honing his skills at the higher level. His mind is on the big picture and the skills at the next level, which speaks to his mindset and go-getter mentality. After making a solid claim on the Maui surf scene for a grom, he’s moved onto Oahu to take things up a notch. Ryder’s family has a house on Oahu that enables them to take trips for worthwhile swells and plant themselves there for the majority of winter. He doesn’t seem to be phased by the brief challenge of bigger and more powerful surf and Oahu, and he hopes to master Pipe and Backdoor in the next few years.
When Ryder talks about his game plan for the future, he plans to narrow his focus with each session. He will be working on his airs, and you’ll see him at Churches, a junkier wave that’s perfect for air sections. He’s almost nailed a front side reverse, and it won’t be long before this 12-year-old has mastered it. He prides himself on his roots and where he’s from. As a Maui native, he knows the talent that comes from Oahu, but suggests to not count Maui surfers out. Sharing a home island with notable Maui native Kai Lenny, it won’t be long until Ryder Prouty’s name is mentioned right alongside Kai’s. He’s not only surfing Waimea bombs, getting a few tubes at Backdoor, but he’s also tearing through local and regional menehune contests like he owns the place. For a young talent, it won’t be long until he does.
FSM: Name, rank and serial number?
Ryder: I am Ryder Prouty. I am 12 years old, and I’m from Maui.
FSM: Can you tell me about the first wave you ever rode or maybe the first time you ever stood up on a wave?
Ryder: I don’t remember the very first wave, but I have some very early memories of standing up on the front of my dad’s board at Launiupoko on Maui. I really remember my first cutback. I did a roundhouse cutback, and I was super excited. I was, like, tripping.
FSM: How did that motivate you?
Ryder: I was just freaking out. I was super excited about it, and it motivated me to surf more and get better so that those moves were on tap. I think I was around four when I did it, and I just started doing them more often.
FSM: Nice. Tell me about the waves on Maui. What’s your favorite spot, and can you describe the wave to us?
Ryder: My favorite spot would probably be Freight Trains. (Maalaea) It’s a really fast right that barrels super hard. It’s one of the fastest waves in the world, but it doesn’t break often. When it does, it’s super fun. I wasn’t there last summer; I was in the Maldives. I hope to catch it in the next few years because it looks so sick.
FSM: You visit Oahu a lot, especially on the North Shore? Got any favorites?
Ryder: I would probably say V-Land. I really like it. It’s like a big slab that barrels really nicely. It’s a fun wave.
FSM: What is a wave that you really want to master or get really comfortable with on the North Shore?
Ryder: I would like to improve at Pipe, especially Backdoor. I always get clipped at the end, or it’s too fast for me.
FSM: When you’re riding a wave, what is your go-to maneuver? What kind of style are you bringing to that empty canvas?
Ryder: It depends on the wave, but a turn that I’ve really mastered would be my layback wraps. That’s my go-to maneuver on flatter, softer sections. For variety, I like frontside air reverses. I’ve been getting super close but haven’t quite stuck one yet.
FSM: What is your game plan to get that maneuver down?
Ryder: My game plan is to try. There’s a wave on Maui called Churches. It’s a really junky wave but has a lot of nice air sections. I’ll go out there more often and dedicate sessions to airs, like one session for airs and another for turns.
FSM: What is it about airs that you find so appealing?
Ryder: It’s just how critical they are. Being able to go up in the air, even if you’re not doing a rotation, displays a high level of difficulty. It’s super tough to do.
FSM: What about getting a good barrel? What is it about being in the tube that everyone loves?
Ryder: It’s just the cleanest, nicest thing. Being inside the wave while it’s going over your head, the vision is beautiful.
FSM: Who is your biggest inspiration? Your favorite surfer or athlete?
Ryder: My favorite surfer is Ian Gentil. I also look up to Michael Jordan and guys like Kobe.
FSM: Is there a certain pride in being from Maui, especially now with so many Maui surfers making a name for themselves?
Ryder: Definitely. Maui is a smaller island, and there was so much success on Oahu with all the surfers there. Now, it’s cool to see more Maui surfers on tour. There used to be only Dusty Payne and the big wave surfers, but now there are three on tour.
FSM: Who are your buddies that you surf with a lot?
Ryder: On Maui, I surf a lot with Bode Davis, Mattius Bantos and Merrick Mochkatell.
FSM: Is there a little competition when you’re surfing with your friends? Do you push each other?
Ryder: For sure. When I see Bodie get a barrel at V-Land, I feel like I need to get one too. It definitely pushes you up a bit. We sometimes do mock heats in the water.
FSM: Can you remember what it was like competing for the first time?
Ryder: My first real competition was an HSA at Lahaina Harbor. I was six or seven, and I felt like I was doing pretty well in the heat. Everyone was hyping me up, but I ended up getting fourth or third, and I wasn’t very stoked. But that’s how it is.
FSM: What would you say is your biggest accomplishment in competitive surfing?
Ryder: Winning regionals in two separate divisions, U-12 and 10-and-under, was a big deal for me. Also, winning the Haleiwa contest three times before in the Menehune division. I’ve come really close to winning nationals, and that’s something I really want to do. U.S. Champs is the big one, and I’d like to be among the top guys there.
FSM: What’s your favorite spot that you’ve traveled to so far?
Ryder: Kandui Villas. I went there this summer. The left is super fun. I also want to go back to Mexico and maybe Australia, like Western Australia.
FSM: What are your goals for the future?
Ryder: I want to focus on being powerful in my surfing and hopefully get on the Challenger Series and try to qualify for the tour. Everyone’s dream is to win a world title, and I’m willing to do what it takes to win one.
FSM: Any last-minute thank-yous? Anyone you want to acknowledge who has helped you on this journey so far?
Ryder: Definitely my mom and dad. They push me to surf even when the waves aren’t good. I often come in and thank them for pushing me. They keep me going even when it’s tough.
Original Post from this site