Interview with Dalton Gilley on October 22, 2009 by Craig Newkirk. |
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Greetings Dalton! Thanks for sitting down with Cape Fear Surfers. Let's drop right in on some questions. |
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So tell us a little about you, how old are you, where are you from? |
Well, I'm 19 and I was born and raised at Wrightsville Beach. |
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Hoggard High School and I graduated with Honors in 2008. |
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How long have you been Surfing? |
Six years, three years competitively. |
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I know you ride shortboards but do you ever ride a longboard? |
Sure! You see me on a log every once in a while. |
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What's in your Quiver right now? |
I ride Channel Islands. I have (3) 5'-11"s, a 6'-1" and a 6'-5". |
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Who were your influences? |
Benny B. (Ben Bourgeois)! I know this sounds a bit cliche but Slater's unreal. Mick Fanning - Mick's sick! Taylor Knox - he's got big power and he carves! |
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I know your Mom, Patti, has been a major motivation for your surfing career so tell us a bit about her involvement? |
She's my #1 fan and my biggest sponsor. If I had a 'Mom Sticker' I'd put it on my board, but don't tell her that 'cause she'd actually do it. She's a super Mom! |
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What are your thoughts on competitive surfing? |
Well, right now I'm surfing Junior Pros just trying to do my best and get my name out there. The way I feel is the key to success is to train. You're not getting any work done unless you're busting your ass! |
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Are you pleased with your results? |
Not really. I feel like my nickname should be 2nd or 3rd place Larry. |
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Do you surf differently in a contest versus free surfing? |
Of course, because there's strategy involved. I know what I have to do to get the score that I need and I go for it. |
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Who are some of your Sponsors? |
I ride for Hurley, Anon Optics, Channel Islands Surfboards, Surf City Surf Shop - Surf City is the Best Surf Shop on the East Coast Dude! Rita's Italian Ice (laughs), that's right! I dig the ice, man! Mango's the best, bro. |
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Tell me about some of your Travels? |
Well, I've been to California, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, Florida, New Jersey and Hatteras, of course. |
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What places are next on your list? |
Australia, Indo, Hawaii, France - I want to go to France really bad and surf Hossegor. |
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Where do you like to surf locally? |
Mercer's Reef (laughs)! Definitely not C-Street! That place is a Zoo! I love to surf Masonboro and Carolina Beach, it get's good down there. |
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What's in your I Pod right now? |
I listen to everything really but right now I'm listening to 'He is Legend', August Burns Red', 'Citizen Cope', 'Techno Beats to Hardrock', 'Emery', etc... |
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Do you have any other athletic interest? |
Yeah, I made Black Belt when I was 12 in Tae Kwan Do. It took 5 years and I got my ass kicked and then I fell out of it but recently I've trained at Evolution a couple of times. When I was a grom I won the City Championship in Grappling - that was my ticket there! When I got you on the ground - lights out! I like Golf too. |
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Golf? |
Yeah. I just started playing this year but it's a lot of fun. I've shot in the mid 80's to low 90's. I love Basketball too, Basketball used to be my life! |
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What are your future plans? |
More Junior Pro Contests and hopefully some positive exposure then maybe the WQS and who knows if I'm lucky enough the WCT? |
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What if Pro Surfing doesn't pan out then what? |
Hotel Management, right now I'm working at the Hampton Inn and Suites at Landfall Park and it's pretty sweet. I would love someday to own a Bed and Breakfast on some sweet break in the Tropics (big smile). |
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Dalton Gilley thanks for your time! |
You got it Newbomb. |
