Jarrad Howse
Jarrad has been surrounded by the salty lifestyle for 3 decades; Growing up on the "Mid Coast" of Adelaide at Seaford Beach in South Australia. Born in Mclaren Vale on the 9th December 1978, from the time Jarrad could walk he spent more hours in the water than out, wether it was surfing, sailing, spear fishing or nippers it became clear that his future would surround the sea. It didn't take long for all the other aquatic pass times to take a back seat, after competing in his first surfing competition at age 7 in the under 10 division and taking it out, his heart was set on becoming a pro surfer.
After a very successful career as a cadet and junior in South Australia Jarrad had his heart set on doing something no South Australian had ever done before; Qualifying for the WCT. "Not many people down here share the same goals as me, I want to be the first kid from South Oz to make it to the world tour, and to do that I needed to move to the East Coast to be surrounded by the best surfers in Australia" Leaving his family and friends behind, Jarrad left Adelaide the day after he finished his HSC, driving his HQ Kingswood 27 hours to Ballina on the NSW North coast where he would call North Wall home for the following 3 years and round out his junior career, finishing a solid 7th overall in his final year.
Chasing sponsorship and editorial Jarrad moved to Sydney's Northern Beaches in 2000 and fast became one of the highest rated editorial surfers on the Australian exposure meter, whilst attacking his first tough years on the WQS. In 2005, in what was one of the great qualifying cinderella story's, is his 5th year on tour Jarrad over came Andy Irons, Sunny Garcia and Pancho Sullivan in his final event of the year at 10 foot Sunset to make the semi finals and take 15th spot on the WQS qualifying for the 2006 WCT dream tour.
Jarrad has become one of the most respected surfers locally and internationally because of his dedication and professionalism towards surfing and his career as a role model and a competitor. After what was a difficult year in 2008 plagued with injuries, Jarrad has had time to reflect, train hard and will be chasing his goal of being where he belongs on the Dream Tour again in 2010.
Food: Japanese, chocolate
Beer: coopers ale
Wave: Secret South Oz Desert location
Destination: South of France
Sponsors: O'neill, Otis (sunglasses), FCS/ Gorilla Grip, Vertra (Element Protection), Jetty Surf (surf shop), Nixon (watches), Lee Stacey (surf boards)
Most embarrassing moment?
I accidentally sent a naughty text to the wrong inbox.
Favourite quote?
"None of use going to get out of here alive, so you might as well have some fun while your here"
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate
Glass on fins or fin system?
Why? FCS, Awesome, easy, and piece of mind
Favourite surf destination and wave?
West Coast South Australia, wave a secret so can't tell
Favourite manoeuvre?
I'm going to be real boring and say, Tube.
Celebrity crush?
Anna Rawson (golfer)
What's in your traveling quiver?
4 X6'1 1/2 x 18 3/8 x 2 1/4 round square's, FCS
Status (married, single, whatever)?
Straight and single
Favourite website?
www.stabmag.com
Sounds?
Digitilism, Kanye, Kings of Leon, Interpol, Empire to the sun, MGMT
Biggest influence in your life?
Family, exceptional upbringing, everything was possible.
Favourite surfer?
Jordy Reynolds
What traits in the opposite sex are most attractive?
Smile, personality, energy, body
Worst wipeout?
The scariest moment I've had in the water was at Sunset, biggest wave I've everseen landed on me, but the worst wipeout was at Teahupoo, held down for a longtime, rag dolled and slammed on the bottom.
Words to live by?
Anything is possible, so go get it.