Joel Tudor [World Champion Longboarder]

By: Editor | April 13, 2011 | Ten by Ten

Surf lineage will recognize longboarder Joel Tudor for years to come. The San Diego native is an iconic figure, true to his roots with an undying passion for simplicity in the surf world. His fluid style and timeless approach to riding long, lengthy waves has come with great success. At age 15, Tudor was the youngest competitor to ever win an Association of Surfing Professionals contest. Since then his skill-set has continued to evolve, shaping him into a dominant force in the competitive longboarding arena. His major accomplishments include two ASP Longboard World and eight U.S. Open Championship titles. Tudor’s prosperity has continued on land with his company Kookbox and his endeavors in Brazilian jiu jitsu, proving to everyone that balance and flexibility are the key ingredients in all of his efforts.

What do you consider your greatest professional success?
While I enjoyed being world champion twice, I don’t consider it my greatest achievement. I think the Duct Tape Invitationals for Vans I’m putting on now have been my greatest professional success, not to mention rewarding.

What technology are you currently the most excited about?
Surfing in general has been using the same materials for more than 50 years. There’s nothing new to get excited about.

When was the last time you were truly frightened and why?
Last summer, my left nut blew up to the size of a grapefruit from a staph infection. I lost 20 pounds and then the staph came back on my face by the end of the summer. My wife was super stoked.

What did you want to grow up to be when you were a child?
A lawyer. Go figure.

What philanthropic/humanitarian cause do you most identify with and why?
I am actually working with Vans to bring awareness to students of the plastic bag dilemma and how it is affecting our oceans.

Describe your perfect day?
Breakfast with the wife and kids, take my son Tosh to school, followed by a morning surf and jiu jitsu. After that, if the wife allows, I pick my son up from school, lunch at Lotus in Encinitas, followed by boxing, surfing or jiu jitsu, and finally, dinner with the family.

If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be and why? 
Online surf reports. Don’t get me wrong — I use them. But there was once a time when you actually had to understand weather conditions and different breaks to really score waves. The crowds those things have caused are ridiculous.

Do you believe in the notion of spreading democracy beyond our borders?
I don’t care what your political or religious beliefs are, our main concerns should be ending hunger and cleaning up our planet.

What are the fundamental qualities you look for in a lover?
Ask my wife.

How will you spend this evening?
Wrestling with my 6-year-old, dinner with the family and a date with a dirty diaper or two — courtesy of our 1-year-old, Judah.

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