GRAHAM EZZY
VIDEO: http://vimeo.com/23918125
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Having started windsurfing pre-teens, Graham can boast a family history of windsurfing and has proved himself in his own right as one of the best sailors at this time. Over the three months I spent photographing at Ho’okipa, I observed that Graham rides every wave with a strong passion and determination, getting as much out of each ride as he possibly can.
He also has an involvement with Umi Pictures who produce some outstanding videos as well as working with his father at Ezzy Sails.
Many thanks to Graham for this interview which makes for a very interesting read!
The Basics:
Name: Graham Ezzy
Age: 22
Nationality: Hawaiian, American, Canadian
Status: Single
Where are you currently based? Haiku, Maui—my birthplace and base
Sponsors: Ezzy Sails, Dakine, Quatro, K4 fins, Chinook
Why are you so passionate about windsurfing? I have no idea; it is a primal pull that goes deeper than any rational thought.
Most visited website? www.surf-matic.com
Three words you believe describe you: living to die
Three words that others might use to describe you: Graham C Ezzy
A phrase or motto you live by: Live such that I never will look back at my life and think, “if only I did…”
Shallow Waters
What was for breakfast this morning? A protein shake with ¾ cup of milk, lots of ice, a scoop of vanilla protein powder, a banana, a handful of almonds, and a tablespoon of peanut butter.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? Maybe Pushkin? I love his writing and his life. No, not Pushkin. It would have to be David Foster Wallace. He is not as fantastical as many of the other interesting dead people, but I think I would have gotten along really well with him. And I was only a few years off from having a chance to actually meet him.
Favorite movie? Favorite song? Favorite song right now: “I am the Rain” by Pete Doherty, or maybe “Sedative”. Favorite films right now would probably be: Blood Simple, Withnail and I, or Pulp Fiction.
Favorite place to eat. On Maui: Market Fresh Bistro in Makawao. The food is amazing and so is the courtyard space. If you’re on Maui, it is a must. And for Europe: Confraria in Cascais—the sushi is amazing and so is the scenery.
When you travel what don’t you leave home without? A suitcase heavy with books that I won’t read.
What poster did you have on your wall growing up? I made a huge collage of windsurfing photos cut out from magazines. When I could do everything on the wall, I took them down.
Do you play any other sports? I competed in diving when I was in high school, but I started it pretty late so I was never as good as I wanted to be. And in college I rowed on the lightweight team. I love rowing, and I miss it now that I’m on Maui away from flat water and boathouses.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I would do exactly what I’m doing now. I’d probably give all the money to charities that support protecting dolphins, whales, and ocean ecosystems. Whales and dolphins are possibly more intelligent than humans when it comes to empathy and emotional intelligence. Yet, we kill so many of them.
Windsurfing
How long have you been windsurfing? My entire life! Well, that’s not true. 12 years sounds about right. Maybe 13; I’ve lost count. I’ve recently realized that I’m the heir to the longest windsurfing legacy at Hookipa, which is strange. So in some ways, windsurfing Hookipa has been in my life for over 30 years.
Where is your favourite windsurfing spot and why? Hookipa because it is home.
What equipment are you sailing on at this current time? I’ve been sailing some amazing prototype Ezzy Sails that I’ve developed with my father. I’m pretty proud to have been part of the process.
What’s your preference? Multi-fin or single fin? Jumping or wave-riding? Tri fin or single fin. I sail with a lot of power so I need the depth. And I prefer wave riding over everything. Jumping is fun but wave riding is life.
What advice do you have for someone who’s starting out in windsurfing and would like to progress in the sport? Windsurfing is not for everyone. I’ve tried to teach many of my friends, but almost none of them had the endurance, courage, and perseverance to progress in the sport. Windsurfing is hard. Windsurfing hurts. And if you’re going to windsurf, you have to push yourself. But, this means that every windsurfer has gone through the same grueling process. We are all part of a select group bonded in blood and sweat, and that’s pretty cool.
Also, this is the best time to be a windsurfer—the equipment is way better than it has ever been and the crowds are the lowest they have ever been.
Which move are you currently trying to master? Everything.
Windsurfing was a hugely popular sport in the 80s. Do you believe it will make a comeback and if so how can people help this along? No. I doubt it will ever be as popular as it was in the 80’s. But it can stay a healthy exclusive sport. How can people help grow it? Easy: by teaching. If everyone taught just one other person to windsurf, our sport out double. That’s not so hard is it?
If you could do it all over again is there anything you would change about your windsurfing career? When I was a teenager, I got a lot of big contract offers from large companies and I turned them all down because I thought I was “too cool” and I wanted to stay “core”. I don’t regret turning them down, but I think I could have handled it more respectfully. Also, sometimes I lose my temper on the water; I think it happens because I need to be in a pretty agro mood to ride hard, but I don’t like it at all.
Where was your scariest ride? Tell us a little about the experience. For me, fear has no role in windsurfing. I’m not really sure why, but I’m never held by fear. Yeah, sometimes I get a little scared and don’t hit the lip, but I never have a fear that lasts more than a few seconds.
If you weren’t a windsurfer, what would you be doing? I’d live in New York City working on art—writing and filmmaking. Maui has a huge cultural deficit, so I would not be here.
Which windsurfing move do you wish you had invented? The wave 360! It is such a clean and classic rotation.
What has been your biggest windsurfing achievement to date? Every good move! Umm, maybe winning in Cabo Verde in 2009; not because I won, but because everyone said it was impossible to do a taka on that wave. I did the impossible and came up with a new style of down-the-line takas, which are now becoming common for the top pros. But that’s not my biiiiiiiggest achievement. Probably the biggest would be working now with my dad at Ezzy Sails or working with Brendan at umi—I’m really proud to be associated with both brands and to deal with such talented people.
What are you doing when you’re not windsurfing? Thinking. And reading when I have time, which is not often enough. And writing. I’d like to write for a few hours a day, but I’m not that disciplined yet. And really, writing is all about regiment.
What challenges have you encountered in your windsurfing career? And how did you overcome them and what lessons did you learn? Windsurfing is one big challenge. And existing in that tension is one of the fundamental joys of being alive.
Deep Waters
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? Yes.
If you could be anywhere past or present, where would you like to be right now and with whom? Would it be too cliché to say Helen of Troy? She probably isn’t even that beautiful, but I still want to see if she lives up to the hype.
What was the last book you read & what was the last movie you watched? Last Book: 9 Stories by J D Salinger. I loved it. I was late to the Salinger game after a lukewarm reception to Catcher. But now I’m nothing but a fanatic. Last movie: Ip Man.
A piece of wisdom you’d pass onto your kids? What my father has always told me: Do what you love, not what society or anyone else wants you to do.
If you find yourself getting burned out or are stuck in a rut, what do you do to revitalize yourself or snap out of it? I like to take long breaks from windsurfing so that I don’t get bad habits. I spent a couple months this winter in New York City and Princeton so that I could refresh my mind. I did a post on my blog on the topic of interval training in windsurfing: http://www.surf-matic.com/intervals-vs-10000-hours-a-look-at-windsurf-training/ .
What do you see yourself doing in 10 years from now? I have no idea! Probably still windsurfing. Maybe making proper narrative films. Maybe running Ezzy Sails. I have no idea!
How do you personally define success? Is success happiness? I’m inclined to say that happiness is success. But I also want to accomplish certain specific goals in my windsurfing and writing, and those goals seem separate from happiness. So I guess I don’t really know.
What irritates you about other people and how do you deal with it? Stupidity that harms other people or animals.
What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life? That’s kind of a strange question for me. I don’t look back at my life very much, I guess. I can’t even make a clear list of accomplishments or how much satisfaction they gave me. I’m more focused on the future.
If you had to live your life over again what would you change about it? I would be kinder. I’ve come to learn that kindness is everything. There are times when I haven’t practiced active kindness and understanding—I would change that.
And Finally…
I’m a big believer in….the power of art.
Call me crazy but….I live without a schedule.
My favorite place on earth is….the ocean.
My parents are….the reason I grew up on Maui.
I could never….work a corporate job.
I’ve always wanted to….make a narrative film.
Life is nothing without….a good book.
Today I will….go to Hookipa.
The internet is….the most powerful human tool ever invented.
If I had the power I would change….the declining cultural interest in the humanities.
I am….a product of windsurfing, a son of the sport.
GRAHAM EZZY’S HANGOVER
HTTP://VIMEO.COM/39686249
On our last trip to Maui Graham Ezzy spoke about this move he had toyed with a few years back called the ANGover. When Graham saw Camille Juban nearly pull one by accident he was really keen to get it on video before anyone else, so he decided to get some tips from the man who invented the move, Josh Angulo.
Graham: I love windsurfing. Even as a child, I would go through old windsurfing magazines from the 80’s and read them to learn about the early days of the sport. As my dad (David Ezzy) has windsurfed at Ho’okipa longer than anybody, I often turn to him for stories about the old days. Now as a professional windsurfer, I am still obsessed with the histories and intricacies of our sport.
A long time ago, Josh Angulo invented a move he called the ANGover. Basically it is a frontside floater into a sliding 360 (for you freestylers, think of a floater to grubby). I’ve only seen Josh and Nat Gill come close to pulling them. And I saw Camille rotate something similar by accident. It is a rare move, and I don’t think it has ever been caught on camera. A few years ago I started working on it, I tried a bunch and made one or two wet ones, but then I got frustrated and focused on other moves instead. Time to get a clear head and refocus!
A long time ago, Josh Angulo invented a move he called the ANGover. Basically it is a frontside floater into a sliding 360 (for you freestylers, think of a floater to grubby). I’ve only seen Josh and Nat Gill come close to pulling them. And I saw Camille rotate something similar by accident. It is a rare move, and I don’t think it has ever been caught on camera. A few years ago I started working on it, I tried a bunch and made one or two wet ones, but then I got frustrated and focused on other moves instead. Time to get a clear head and refocus!
Hi Josh, I hope you’re doing well and it’s not too cold on the East Coast!
Josh: ‘Howzit Graham? Actually it’s been a record breaking warm winter over here and I’ve spent five weeks of the winter in Cabo Verde, so quite smooth.’
Josh: ‘Howzit Graham? Actually it’s been a record breaking warm winter over here and I’ve spent five weeks of the winter in Cabo Verde, so quite smooth.’
You’ve been an inspiration for my sailing. And I want to do an interview with you for the web about the latest inspiration: a move I’ve started doing. Years ago, you invented the Gu Press or Hangover (I’ve heard both names for the frontside floater 360). How did you come up with the move? And which name do you prefer?
Josh: ‘I actually called it the ANGover (no h). I guess taking a page from my brother who used GU in the GU screw. It’s basically a surfing move that’s done a dime a dozen by surfers, but is significantly more challenging on a windsurfer. I did a couple of em many years back and I’ll still try one every now and then, just because it’s a cool feeling move.’
Josh: ‘I actually called it the ANGover (no h). I guess taking a page from my brother who used GU in the GU screw. It’s basically a surfing move that’s done a dime a dozen by surfers, but is significantly more challenging on a windsurfer. I did a couple of em many years back and I’ll still try one every now and then, just because it’s a cool feeling move.’
It’s a rare move; in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one landed. I’ve seen you get really close and Nat Gill too. Have you seen anyone else do it? Do you have any footage or photos of you landing one?
Josh: ‘The first one I ever did, I think Dave Nash was filming, but he missed it. It was the best one I ever did, a long slide over a barrel and when I pulled the clew in, it was just the right timing and it shot me out into the flats and I landed it dry. Kai Katchadourian was right there and saw the whole thing. I think that’s the only real proof.’
Josh: ‘The first one I ever did, I think Dave Nash was filming, but he missed it. It was the best one I ever did, a long slide over a barrel and when I pulled the clew in, it was just the right timing and it shot me out into the flats and I landed it dry. Kai Katchadourian was right there and saw the whole thing. I think that’s the only real proof.’
I kind of feel like no one else has done it for a while; it’s almost as if it was forgotten in the last ten years. Any thoughts on why? Maybe it’s too hard?
Josh: ‘It’s a pretty hard move… like why isn’t anybody except Mark doing Mutants? It’s so much a timing and finesse move that comes from a surfing background and not so many windsurfers have a strong surfing background. I think some of the neat stuff my brother and I have come up with is because we see a move in our mind and we go sailing with the excitement to pull that particular thing off and then pay the necessary dues until we do it.’
Josh: ‘It’s a pretty hard move… like why isn’t anybody except Mark doing Mutants? It’s so much a timing and finesse move that comes from a surfing background and not so many windsurfers have a strong surfing background. I think some of the neat stuff my brother and I have come up with is because we see a move in our mind and we go sailing with the excitement to pull that particular thing off and then pay the necessary dues until we do it.’
Do you think it’s the hardest of the main modern moves like takas, 360s, goiters and backside 3’s?
Josh: ‘I wouldn’t even call it a modern move because nobody does it. 99% of the world won’t know what you’re talking about… seems to me that the moves that aren’t done and getting perfected by the general pro population is because nobody can do it. Guys try and give up, so I guess by default that makes it harder, similar situation to the mutant that my brother does, but his I’m sure is even harder. I wouldn’t even know where to start on that. His is so rad that MauiSails even named a sail after his move.
Josh: ‘I wouldn’t even call it a modern move because nobody does it. 99% of the world won’t know what you’re talking about… seems to me that the moves that aren’t done and getting perfected by the general pro population is because nobody can do it. Guys try and give up, so I guess by default that makes it harder, similar situation to the mutant that my brother does, but his I’m sure is even harder. I wouldn’t even know where to start on that. His is so rad that MauiSails even named a sail after his move.
Did you feel any pressure on yourself after seeing your brother invented the two other standard moves?
Josh: ‘I’ve never felt in competition with Mark. He’s been my windsurfing hero since I was a little boy and still is. That guy really is in a class of his own. I just get fired up watching what he does and chuckle to myself as he continues to stump all the youngsters who will pretty much never be able to touch his level.’
Josh: ‘I’ve never felt in competition with Mark. He’s been my windsurfing hero since I was a little boy and still is. That guy really is in a class of his own. I just get fired up watching what he does and chuckle to myself as he continues to stump all the youngsters who will pretty much never be able to touch his level.’
I’m trying to be a link between classic Hawaiian windsurfing and the new school. What do you think I should focus on and learn from your generation of wave riding? What about the generation before you?
Josh: ‘First important tip I can give you is to make sure you give waves to me and older generation Ho’okipa sailors who were out there when you were in diapers. Jump back on a single fin every now and then to remember how much more drive you can get and “burst” off the top, but mainly that first tip is the most important.’
Josh: ‘First important tip I can give you is to make sure you give waves to me and older generation Ho’okipa sailors who were out there when you were in diapers. Jump back on a single fin every now and then to remember how much more drive you can get and “burst” off the top, but mainly that first tip is the most important.’
I’ve been trying the hangover a ton of different ways: in the air, floater to sliding down, and a combination of the two. But any way, it’s a bitch to land! The problem is coming up on top of the sail at the end of the move. Any tips?
Josh: ‘It’s all about the right wave. You almost want it slightly bending away from you, but it needs to have power, get up on the top slow and once you get those fins free, you need to get some speed down the line on top of the barrel from the power of the wave and the wind, then just flick the sail around when it feels right.. You can force em all day long and land wet, but it’s when you get that slippery one on top the barrel and you’ll get launched so quickly around that you’ll land planing… that’s the one!! Double shaka!’
Josh: ‘It’s all about the right wave. You almost want it slightly bending away from you, but it needs to have power, get up on the top slow and once you get those fins free, you need to get some speed down the line on top of the barrel from the power of the wave and the wind, then just flick the sail around when it feels right.. You can force em all day long and land wet, but it’s when you get that slippery one on top the barrel and you’ll get launched so quickly around that you’ll land planing… that’s the one!! Double shaka!’
So I returned to the ANGover. I started out doing them the traditional Angulo way. But after a month of working on the move, I saw a new rotation inspired by the original. I took out the floater and put the spin in the air. So now my variation is like an air grubby off-the-lip or an alley-oop in surfing. This move is totally indebted to ANGover, and so as to keep the lineage alive, I’ll refer to it as a Hangover.
After a few days filming we had one in the bag, which you can see below in this little rough cut. The move will be part of our next online video shot on Maui, and with that in mind we are hoping to do a rough cut from each of the main riders Camille Juban, Marcilio Browne and Graham. Keep your eyes on the site!
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