SURFERMAG.COM CURRENT ISSUE VOL. 43#5
How did you learn how to handle yourself in big waves?
Just from experience. My dad always told me never panic. I always had asthma when I was a little kid. When I was young I always had attacks, so I kind of know how it feels to operate with minimum oxygen in your body. I don't know, I just came to it…a bunch of eat-its. Brah, when I was eight years old at Waimea, during the Eddie ceremony I paddled out and it was like 10- to 12-foot. Brah, I got pounded and I didn't come up. I swear I thought I was gonna die. And then all of a sudden I just popped up and everybody was looking for me. I think I was under two waves or something.
What was the most significant change you've made to develop your surfing?
About two years ago I got on a training program and I lost a bunch of weight. I was 189 pounds and that was just beyond…too big for me. I'm like 160 now.
What type of training do you do?
Just a bunch of cardio and more quick reflex things like jumping. To make your fast twitch muscles grow.
Who made it apparent that training was going to help you elevate your surfing?
Kai Garcia, but Kai has a knee injury, so now I'm training on my own. I go to the gym everyday still. But now Rob Garcia, his cousin, is here. He trained seven different world champions. He's Oscar de la Hoya's strength trainer and stuff like that. But now I have this little thing that happened at Backdoor [pointing to knee]. But once it's heeled, I'm right back on the program again.
Who are your biggest influences in surfing?
Eddie Aikau. One of the most proven big-wave riders ever. Eddie, Shane Dorian, Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Kelly Slater, Sunny Garcia. Pretty much my favorite surfers. All the guys that rip; I just want to surf good too, so I look up to guys that surf good.
What's it been like for you to grow up on the North Shore where you get to see the best surfers in the world every year?
Growing up here, when I was a little kid I always had Johnny Boy [Gomes] around. When he was like, 19 years old, he came and was living with us from when I was about five all the way until I was about 15. He was always around me. Him and Dane [Kealoha] were always here. Those were my two biggest inspirations ever.
But you see a lot of overseas guys come through here too. Are there some that you think are overrated?
I don't really like to talk about people. But, I mean, Dane Reynolds makes $150,000. Where's he? He's not here. And that kid who does all the airs, what do they call him? Gorkin? He's not here either. I mean, they're good at what they do, but they're not here where the waves are.
The North Shore has always been is notorious for aggressive localism. As a local, do you think violence has a place here?
I just see it as, brah, you don't see us going to Australia and acting like kooks. Or you don't see us going to Tahiti and dropping in on those guys and being like, "Oh, sorry, we didn't see you," trying to play dumb, you know what I mean? It's like, brah, this is our spot, this is our waves, we live here year round, flat or what. When we're going, even if we're in front of you or in back of you, we have right of way. It's just respect. You respect someone, they respect you back. It's just like anywhere else in the world. If you don't respect us, you're done, see ya, don't come back.
It seems there's a lot of loyalty between the Hawaiians, no matter what Island they're from. It's just Hawaii. We all stick together. Say we got one from Oahu, one from Kauai, one from Maui, one from the Big Island, and we go somewhere, we're all one guys. Hawaii boys pretty solid. We watch each other's back when we go other places.
You have a reputation as someone who's not going to back down, but who's not going to go out and look for trouble either. Do you think you need to be that way to live here where you do?
Oh yeah, brah. There's always guys around that are gonna try to test you. All those guys are jealous. If they step to the plate, then we're gonna play ball, but I really don't want to go out and look for trouble, cause, brah, you could run into the wrongest f--ker, and he'll just shoot you, bang, see ya. And that'll be the end of Makua. So I just try to keep it low pro, have a good time, do what I do. But if it just comes down to it and it's on, then it's on for sure.
|
READER COMMENTS
Mon Mar24, 2008, 10:27 PM
No worries Makua. Little kids all over, Hawai'i and the rest of the world already want to be you.
Wed May28, 2008, 1:28 AM
Too bad you are an asshole Makua. You and Wolfpak cowards should come to Brasil for real fight.
Tue Jul 8, 2008, 4:44 PM
makua you are such an asshole,I see you beat-up kids on boogie boards on the show 808.(that i will never watch again)and you are in Isreal surfing for peace.total punk.i am going to let your sponcers know what a punk you are.your real tuff on the north shore with all you loser buddies aruond.the hui and wolfpack are nothing but asshole bullies.and your buddy anderson has a real problem,who does that clown think he is.he needs to get a life or wife but he would most likely just beat her up.you talk about hawaii respect,bullshit,that just some kind of excuse to beat people up.you clowns just can't get over the fact that the Aussies came over and blew you clowns away.hope i don't see you in my line-up I will show you what respect is.
Mon Jul14, 2008, 9:36 PM
tool.
Wed Jul23, 2008, 10:53 PM
I think Makua rocks so I don't care what other ppl say.He's AWESOME!
Sat Aug16, 2008, 9:36 PM
you are a very good man keep up the hard work and go forward and win everything take care braddah. James from Las Vegas hey I love Da Hui that our roots
Thu Aug21, 2008, 7:04 PM
Great interview, Keep it real and charge hard. You will get that Triple Crown, you have the strongest support team in the world. ~MB
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 11:33 PM
"I don't really like to talk about people. But, I mean, Dane Reynolds makes $150,000. Where's he? He's not here. And that kid who does all the airs, what do they call him? Gorkin? He's not here either. I mean, they're good at what they do, but they're not here where the waves are." What happened about you not really liking to talk about people. This little kid is an asshole... maybe even a fag. He needs to get pounded might learn to close his mouth.
Tue Sep16, 2008, 7:51 AM
makua just hang in there people say things but they're just idiots with opinions and that guy danny boy is just a homosexial with a usefull mouth to guys and he sounds like a toilet full of $H!T
Fri Oct 3, 2008, 4:48 PM
ALL YOU HOALES SHOULD JUST SHUT UP <AND NO EVEN COME TO HAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sat Oct 4, 2008, 2:48 PM
Bad Atitude , HOW CAN A GUY LIKE HIM IS SPONSORED BY A BRAND. He is always loosing at the WQS , we will never make it to the WCT . Not enought level. Little dog sindroma haohao . MOKE
Sun Oct 5, 2008, 9:22 PM
Eh, if anybody have a problem with any native Hawaiians, especially the ones involed with Da Hui, keep your mouth shut. Just like all of you Makua made mistakes on 808, but who cares? We all messed up in our lives and Bob Marley once said "Before you point your fingers make sure your hands are clean" Brahs, this is no way to be... Makua, keep doing your thing, you have support from me, even if I am on the mainland right now! A hui hou..
Thu Oct16, 2008, 7:13 PM
man if i had been like maukua.. i would of swim life out. hawaiian are strong they fear no one.. props to maukua!!
Wed Oct22, 2008, 2:11 PM
Surfing is a sport that was invented by HAWAIIANS you Aussies and Brasileros should be more respectful of that fact. Stay Home and away from Our Islands especially if you feel like you are better than any one of us at something that OUR ancestors invented! Please do not disrespect this ancient Hawaiian sport. You give the natives of your respected countries a bad reputation.
Mon Nov17, 2008, 2:00 PM
whatever crap the losers are yakking, the fact stays that the sport was found by the hawai'ians! respect for the ones who created the sport! losers pls quit the bitching and step up like a man.
Sun Nov23, 2008, 10:46 AM
Makua, watsup hawaiian I just wanted to say fuck all those haters they only wish they could be as good as us hawaiians.Just keep doing what you do best rippen, Alryte.....
Sun Nov23, 2008, 1:38 PM
No blame Makua... he is just taking after his dad, Eddie, who has been a thug all his life. Like father, like son.
Fri Dec 5, 2008, 12:11 PM
If you don't like the way that us Hawaiians are, don't come to Hawaii. I mean really it's all about respect, no matter were you go, if its the North Shore to Nanakuli don't think that you can do what you want to and get away with it. There are rules. Keep doing what you are doing Makua. You have our support from the West Side. You are still a good Hawaiian in my book. Aloha...
Thu Dec18, 2008, 6:32 PM
Wow. I really am not concerned about who invented what unless I am talking to the person that did it. All people deserve respect. No one owns the Ocean. No one SHOULD own the land. Infighting amongst watermen makes all of us look bad. I don't claim ownership of my local spot and am glad to share a wave. I agree that respect is a two way street, but territorialism has no place anywhere. It's just an excuse to hate. So what if my Uncle pissed off your buddy's Dad. I didn't disrespect you, and you didn't disrespect me. Let them fight it out while we surf.
Mon Dec22, 2008, 8:07 PM
has your mama ever told you not to swear its disrespectful and shows low class! Makua is a great guy and an amazing surfer and all of you who are talking bad about him are just jealous. Even worse going after his family, who do you think you are that really shows what kind of person you are.Makua keep on doing what you do best make the BIG bucks and dont let little minded and negitive people get in your way to the top!keep being the great man you are nothing can stop you but your self.kahukugirl in Texas
Wed Jan14, 2009, 7:28 PM
Hana Hou to Makua, everyone is an asshole sometime so stop pointing fingers! I'm the first one to let visitor and new transplants know that this is THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, NOT THE HAOLE ISLANDS! Respect the land , culture and elders! Makua is one of the only pros who respects the uncles in the lineup ! Thats HAWAIIAN ! No forget it all you visiting haoles from around the world! We never invited any of you here, so respect the fact that locals go first always!
Thu Jan15, 2009, 7:55 PM
MAKUA ROTHMAN IS HOT AND ALL OF U WHO THINK HES ASS HOLE R WRONG I LOVE YOU MAKUA
Mon Jan19, 2009, 10:08 AM
Alright, so i am not to familar with surfing, being from Ohio but what i do know and live by is that you need to be shown respect to give it! If people are dising you and are acting like they are better then you put them on your turf!! If they can't prove their worth then they better be bowing down to you. It's all part of the game. Rock on Makua I think you are the most amazing, surfer i have ever seen! <3 (I saw that true life episode with him and i felt so bad when he got hurt!!)
Fri Jan23, 2009, 2:04 PM
brah BIG ISLAND LOVE HAHA
Sun Jan25, 2009, 12:54 PM
Wolfpak has always thrived on racial hatred and violence against haoles and newcomers. No place for that type of "local gang" in today's Hawaii. The waves and the beach are not "their' waves, they are natural recreational resources that need to be shared--something Wolfpak does not want in the least--they want everything for themselves. Their racially-based hate crimes are well-documented on video and the HPD should be going after these guys instead of standing around and turning a blind eye. These Wolfpak guys are no better than the Klan in their hatred of outsiders. Haole bashing and criminal violence against anyone outside of their little circle of thugs must not continue to be tolerated. This group and its affliates needs to be ostracized and shunned by the entire community of Hawaii. Surfing needs to quickly be rid of such a malignant blotch on it's character.
Mon Jan26, 2009, 10:45 PM
Ya Makuakai!!!! You got the best attitude and sometimes dummies need lickings. If somebody deserves lickings, they should get it, and me being haole I have seen first hand when somebody deserves respect, you boys are first to give it, with lots of Aloha. Good on ya and continue doing just what you do!!!!
Mon Jan26, 2009, 10:50 PM
from crispy, you know who I am hahhahahahaa. I posted the comment above...au-ryte!!!
Thu Feb12, 2009, 3:51 AM
Makua you give us Hawaiians and Hawaii a bad name. You and Dawg shouldn't be in the public eye. The stupid "I'm going to kick your ass punchy mentality" is what makes us look tribal and archaic. This mentality is the very reason why laws were created to protect rights of all people from getting beat up even if they make a mistake. Half the guys u cruz with on the show are haoles and u not 100 percent Hawaiian anyways. You might as well bend over and kick your own ass for being haole. The stupid mentality is so old and its no wonder why us Hawaiians haven't been able to come to our own agreement for sovereignty. No worries you get your own batchi.
Wed Mar 4, 2009, 12:09 PM
you guys are all a bunch of immature haters!!!! you think your bad cuz you can talk shit to a computer?!?!? wow!!!.... anyways in my opinion you should just leave makua alone,live your life, let him live his, and drop the bullshit.
Sun Mar 8, 2009, 3:59 AM
Makua ROTHMAN is the product of a WHITE, HAOLE JEWISH father and a vaguely ethnic looking mom who speaks with a mainland accent. Like most hawaiian kids who fancy themselves 'locals', Makua's 'pidgin' accent is as fake as any 'haole'. Hell, Makua IS a haole, which would be fine if he didn't bash his own kind. Also, he cried like a bitch on MTV. Rumor has it MTV is about to do a special on him in December of '09 as he comes out of the closet as an openly gay surfer. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Sun Mar 8, 2009, 7:37 PM
Makua seems like a looser. His dad is white and jewish. So I don't see what all the Hawaiian local thing is about. As far as beating people up for disobeying a "surfing rule" Thats B.S.. The police should arrest those punks. A surfer was killed in San diego. He was beat up by some other surfers. I bet they are all crying now getting but raped in jail. If these guys keep this crap up something really bad will happen one day that the police can't overlook. I can almost understand it from a 19 yr old like makua, but guys like his dad? Come on man grow the f up.
Sat Mar14, 2009, 1:03 PM
all of you guys out here want to talk about surfing and how makua cant get any wins well screw it i bet half of you saying that havent won a competiton yourself and he did surf the biggest wave so if you want to talk learn what you guys are talking about first second of all i myself was born in the north shore and wont sit by as you guys claim the north shore boys are ass we hate when visitors come out here and try to do what we do its rough and dangerouse and when people come on our turf and cause us to fakle out or wipe out you expect us to just sit by and let people push us around well we wont so take it from a true native you all want to talk big game but in a surf comp you couldnt hold a candle to us north shore natives
Mon Mar16, 2009, 2:35 PM
Makua rips there is no doubt about it, but seeing how he and his crew interact on their home turf is upsetting. I grew up surfing in San Diego and went on one surf trip to Oahu & Kauai not long ago. I was shocked at the level of straight up racism in the water, and I'm a very respectful surfer and person in general. There was a lot of hostility, and I felt it was even more because I actually am a decent surfer, so it's like some of locals didn't want a haole ripping on their waves. Honestly, I don't know the reason, but I can say that I won't go back. I even had a crew of guys confront me in the parking lot. Luckily I was with a local girl otherwise I'm sure it would have been bad. Anyways, just wish the some of the locals in the water could lighten up. If some guy is disrespecting people in the water...I can understand some hostility, but if the guy is just trying to catch a few waves and enjoy a vacation - maybe cut them some slack. Just my 2 cents.
Mon Mar16, 2009, 11:17 PM
Contests and competing against each other have nothing to do with SURFING. The challenge is purely with the ocean and big, bad ass waves 25' plus no less! 1956 was an excellent start.
Sun Mar29, 2009, 7:44 AM
lets see won the XXL and mabey the biggest wave ever ridden at 17 or 18 ? won the 08 world tow chamionships with partner Ikika Kalama finalist XL pro last 3 years. 08 won the hawaii H Pac Won the Onell World Cup betting the wcts supposedly best surfers in the world . Shots all over the mags At pipe and backdoor the proving grounds of the surfing word Makua Pussy or Warrior .When you mouthy haters look in your own eyes in the mirror what do you see Warrior ???? Of course not pussy eh. ha ha ha ha ha
Tue Apr 7, 2009, 11:51 AM
ALL YOU HATERS CAN TALK AS MUCH SHIT AS YOU WANT ON THE COMPUTER BUT I BET YOU WOULDNT DARE TO SAY IT TO HIS FACE SO YOU GUYS SHOULD JUST SHUT THE F**K UP
Tue Apr 7, 2009, 11:59 AM
I PERSONALLY KNOW MAKUA, KALA, AND ALL THE NS BOYS SO IF EVER ANY OF YOU HATER PLAN ON COMING TO HAWAII PLS RIGHT BACK ON HERE AND INSTEAD ON TALKING SHIT ON THE COMP YOU CAN TELL THEM WHAT YOU FEEL IN PERSON
Tue Apr21, 2009, 5:51 AM
Ok let me type in caps so i can be a bad ass too. EH WHAT MAKUA DOESN'T HAVE INTERNET AT HIS HOUSE.WHAT HE NO CAN READ.BRAH WHATS DIFFERENCE IS IT IF ITS IN PERSON OR ON THE INTERNET.FREEDOM TO SPEAK THE TRUTH,NOT TALK SHIT.MAKUA ISN'T HAWAIIAN AND YET HE STILL REPRESENTS LIKE HE IS ONE.HE AND DA HUI ARE NO SPECIAL THAN ANYONE ELSE.WE ALL LIVE UNDER THE SAMES LAWS THAT GOVERN OUR STATE.WHO GAVE YOU DA RIGHT TO ACT LIKE YOU MORE SPECIAL?IF U THINK U SO SPECIAL DON'T FORGET YOUR GOVERNOR IS HAOLE.WHO U THINK RUNS HAWAII?NOT U!WHAT DIDN'T LEARN TO SHARE WHEN U WAS A KID?DER WILL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER WAVE. ALWAYS BE ANOTHER SET.TRY BEAT SOMEONE UP AND TAKE A LIFE.U THINK THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO RIDE ANOTHER WAVE.THE TRUE WARRIORS ARE FIGHTING IN IRAQ,AFGHANISTAN,AND DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY. TRUE WARRIOR WAS BACK IN THE OLD DAYS OF KING KAMEHAMEHA.NO ACT CAUSE ITS GETTING DUMB.TRY FIGHT IN A REAL WAR FOR A REAL CAUSE DEN U CAN SAY YOU A WARRIOR.TRY GET OFF THE ISLAND AND TRAVEL TOO,SO U CAN SEE U AIN
Thu Apr23, 2009, 11:59 PM
What's the deal with these douchebag Hawaiian teens and twenty somethings and the fake, pseudo-hispanic accents? That's not genuine pigdin, it's as fake as the ghetto slang spoken by suburban, blue eyed, blonde haired white kids on the mainland who try to talk like Snoop Dogg. They really need to start doing DNA tests on some of these douchbags, see how much 'Hawaiian' they actually have. REAL Hawaiians are fat, brown, and have broad noses; they don't look like Asians or white ethnics. Hawaiians are friggin' retarded' lol. Imagine if when Hawaiians came to NYC, they were told they had to let the locals have the first cab or the best seats on broadway? Or if they were told to let Native Arizonans get in front of them when viewing the Grand Canyon? Or if the locals in Denver held the same 'we own this' attitude towards the ski slopes? It wouldn't be tolerated for 2 seconds. We need to send some good ole Italian and Irish haole boys from NYC over to Oahu and kick so
Mon May 4, 2009, 4:04 PM
Heavy locals from wherever need to wise up. Use discretion! Beating innocents and not helping the clueless is pathetic! Enforcing against people who paddle around, can't wait their turn, bail their boards, act unnecessarily aggro in a foreign setting, are continuously unsafe in the water and ... who paddle out to already overcrowded lineup. These people need discipline. Who is goin to do that? The sheriff? The FBI? The park ranger? The lifeguard? Who? "Locals" need to get smart. Managing your spot is not the same as being a dick head! The end goal is keeping your spot safe and not overly crowded. 0 tolerance and no compromise is just dogmatic and jihadist. It is not American, it is not Hawaiian, it is not Human. Only humans that are brainwashed or brain dead engage in unenlightened "localism". That's my take. Where Makua, Wolfpak and others around the world fall in, well they are the only ones that know. I've never been to the north shore, too many other sick waves to s
Wed May27, 2009, 12:40 AM
you know what for all u loser's talking SHI* can kiss my ass Makua is AWSOME would not trade him for the world! He is one of the best guys u could ever meet he would have ur back when ur in to deep so fuc* all you lil BITC*hes who wants to talk shit got a problem with this e-mail me @ kamber_1989@ yahoo. com
Sat Jun20, 2009, 5:15 AM
EH U FUKEN HAOLEZ, WAT U GUYZ TINK U GUYZ R?, FUK GET OFF OUR AINA IF U LIKE B LIKE DAT BRAH, NO EVEN COME NEAH, O I LICK U EH BADDAH, SO U NO RESPECT US HAWAIIAN, WE NO RESPECT U HAOLEZ, SO FAKAS FUK OFF OUR AINA, NO EVEN TINK OF GOIN TO NIIHAU, OR WE LICK YO HAOLE ASS BRAH
Sat Jun20, 2009, 5:20 AM
u know all u haolez out dea n hawaiians, i full hawaiian, all us gotta be ohanas, not da kine eh we go ova dea n say. what u like fight? brah keakua neva bring us hea fo fight, he bring us hea fo da aloha. n haoles i sorreh i tease u guyz eh?
Mon Jun29, 2009, 11:39 PM
Holyy crap, people can be really rude. I love all the shiit talkers. They think they are tough on here, but i bet they wont say any of that to your face. Seriously, all the disrespectful comments are only gonna make him show you all up. Makua is a great surfer. & a total babe :)
Fri Jul24, 2009, 3:57 PM
Makua, Are you kidding me, your surfing couldn't hold a candle to Dane's. That's why he makes the money that he does and you don't. Oh yeah, hes also on the CT you're not. Your surfing isn't good enough for the to make the CT. In fact it's not good enough for the WQS.
Sat Aug 1, 2009, 9:02 PM
I am making plans to fly over to oahu, find this punk, and break his face.
Fri Oct30, 2009, 8:43 AM
hey you guys are just insecure with makua i dont think his an asshole his a good person and stop talking shit about him!i just hanged with makua in siargao island phils for the intl billabong surf comp all the people in the island likes him and his pretty chill.i dont care what you guys think but for me his still my champion and one of the best!
Thu Nov 5, 2009, 7:03 PM
this is out of control and I never talk on these things but have to say this anger and mentality is what can and is destroying are Surf. Makuakai is way mellow and just doing his thing(better than most) like everyone else and getting bashed. Talk is cheap and their is tons of talk and trashing. When I was little on the island of Moorea my dad taught me about respect. Respect for culture, respect for people, respect for aina and respect for the ocean. If you give no respect you get none back. That's life and falls into karma. You come out to Rocky left's and respect me, I'll respect you. If you don't then I don't have to do anything to you, it will just happen. It's a circle of life that seems to keep things in take....Aloha