Flynn Novak Interview

Recently, we had the chance to chat with North Shore surfer and Matuse team rider Flynn Novak.

What are you focused on mostly these days?

WINNING!  Nah, competing on the WQS in order to qualify for the WCT.  In order to do that I've been eating healthy, working a lot on my grovel boards, a bit of training while I'm home, and surrounding myself with good friends with positive energy.

How has your WQS win at Ala Moana Bowls impacted your surfing career?

I don't think I've seen too much of an impact yet as far as my career goes, just a couple of interviews about the event so far.  I do hope it will make my supporters take me more seriously in terms of their budget use on me for next year and the years following.  As for me, it was a big wake up call, reminding myself that I have what it takes to prevail against Hawaii's best when the waves are on.  Now I just need to get my grovel surfing and contest strategies down to the "T".

Who was your mentor in terms of surfing growing up?

Todd Chesser.  He was the MAN!  I was very fortunate that he lived a block away from me, and my house was right on the beach, so he would always come through my yard to go surfing in Mokuleia.  He was 28 and I was 13 when he passed away surfing huge waves.  I've never forgotten his modest and positive care free attitude, dry sense of humor, and amazing surfing ability.  He was, and still is my hero, in and out of the water.  To this day, one of my most prized possessions is one of his boards that his mom gave to me after he was gone.

What is the biggest misconception people have about the North Shore?

I think people forget that the North Shore is actually "home" for a handful of very fortunate residents.  There's a lack of respect sometimes when visitors forget this and act like everything is up for the taking.  It would be nice to see tourists pick up trash if they see it, not just if it's theirs or not.

I also think the North Shore surfers have a misconceived bad reputation for being assholes.  I think this is total bullshit, mainly because we share our home and waves with everyone in the world.  If anything, we are the most hospitable hosts in the world you know?!  It's not like that anywhere else I've been to.  In foreign places it's commonplace for me to hear people grumbling and becoming agitated just for me paddling out.  I don't even try to catch set waves in most other countries because I know how it is at home.

How has competing on the WQS changed your outlook on surfing?

It hasn't changed my outlook on surfing at all.  I LOVE the feeling of surfing, or any act of riding waves.  In most contests on the WQS, advancing doesn't come down to your surfing ability, otherwise most of the best guys would be on the WCT already.  If you look at the surfers who are qualifying for the WCT right now (top 16 of the WQS), it's clear that most of them aren't the best surfers. They may be some of the most strategic, lucky, and consistent, but they aren't the best, and they're going to get eaten alive on the WCT next year!  The way a surf contest is conducted, is a flawed system.  So if you are going to compete, be aware of this, and don't take it too seriously, because you will be baffled!  That's what the WQS has taught me.  Oh, and be prepared to surf the worst waves in the world!  Even though there is no way to prepare for that!  Hahahahaa!

Who are some of the up and coming surfers from the North Shore that no one has heard of?

There is a big crop of kids coming up on the North Shore right now, but more noteworthy are the numerous old school North Shore legends who remain.  My home attracts and breeds great surfers of all ages, shapes, and techniques.  Way too many to drop a few names.  I would have to say though, my group of friends are rapidly becoming the new North Shore legends.

What would you be doing if you weren’t surfing professionally?

Surfing would still be on top of my list.  As for work, I'm not sure, maybe something to do with aquaculture and aquariums.