Sage Erickson
SURFING
At 18 years old, Sage Erickson is a lot like the surrounding of her upbringing – part country, part surf, and full of energy. Sage, who was born in Ojai, but spent a few years on the North Shore where she taught herself to surf as a youngster, loves everything about being a sponsored athlete. She is equally comfortable surfing an international contest as she is conducting on camera interviews or hosting a fashion show in front of a crowd full of screaming fans. "I love being in front of a crowd," she said. "I get the same feeling standing in front of a crowd as I do surfing a heat because I know everyone is watching me."
It is that competitive drive and playful spirit that has set the straight-A student apart from most kids her age. While she still loves normal high school stuff like spending time with friends and going to movies (Goonies and Liar Liar are her favorites); getting to travel the world for surfing has helped Sage choose her path early.
THE NATURAL
Sage was first introduced to the sport because her older brother and dad both surfed. Her family moved from Ojai to North Shore of Oahu when she was nine. One day, at Sunset Beach, Sage paddled an old school board lying in the sand to the inside section. "I got to my feet on my first wave and rode it all the way to shore," she said. "I started surfing two to three times a day after that."
HAWAII
Hawaii proved to be the perfect training ground. New to town, Sage started fourth grade at Sunset Beach Elementary, the school famous for it's location directly across the street from Pipeline and the alma mater of many young surf stars. Fortuitously, Sage sat directly next to Coco Ho (daughter of legendary surfer Michael Ho) and the girls became best friends instantly. It wasn't before long they started surfing heavier waves around the island, laughing and pushing each other along the way.
Having an older brother egg her on in the line up also helped catapult her progressive style. "Noah was the main reason I started surfing and has been a huge influence on me," she added.
THE COMPETITOR
When Sage was in Hawaii, she was just getting her feet wet, but at 14 she moved back with her mom to Ojai and that's when she caught the competition bug. Sage's Mom enrolled her into a local NSSA contest; with the condition that Sage would just try the first one before committing to the entire series. After winning the first stop, Sage wanted more. Since then, Sage has been tough to beat. She won the NSSA Western Championships eight times and finished second overall in the 2008 NSSA Nationals in the Open Women's Division. She also competed and placed in several events including taking first at the ASP Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior in 2006.
Of all her achievements, Sage's coveted spot on the US National Surf Team and bronze medal from the 2007 ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Portugal has been her most memorable. "That particular event was amazing for me because it was my first international competition that I placed in, and I had my teammates cheering for me the entire time. When I won the bronze, it wasn't just for me, but for my team and for the entire USA."
Sage's numerous podium finishes and outgoing spirit have made her a sponsors' dream. She is always happy to ham-it-up for a promo video or milk a crowd like she did last year at the O'Neill/Teen Vogue Fashion Show in Laguna Beach. For that reason, her sponsors have sent her across the globe.
"Getting to see the world has been one of the best parts of surfing for me. You go to other countries like Brazil, Nicaragua or other Third World countries, and you get see and experience their different customs and lifestyles. I was recently in Nicaragua, and saw people living without electricity in tiny shacks. The experience opened my eyes a lot."
Currently, Sage's eyes are fixed on the future. "I am just starting to do the WQS so I can qualify for the WCT next year." To prepare, she is surfing as much as possible with her older brother, Noah. "Noah's my best friend and we balance each other out. He's more progressive (think tricks like air reverses and kerr-upt flips) and I am a more of a contest surfer (big turns, fluid, consistent style) so we push each other a lot."
Sage already has the can-do attitude to be a world contender. Adding more tricks to the bag, she is one young competitor to keep watching.
Catching up with Sage
What have I not been doing this year? The QS full time, surf trips and enjoying my surfing lifestyle.
Last year not qualifying encouraged me to try really hard this year, but
I think I put too much pressure on myself as it showed in certain results.
I competed in my first WCT which was awesome! Peru is a crazy third world country with great waves. You start to learn that even the most un-populated places have great surf.
I think that's one of the best things about surfing, you can go anywhere where there's a coast line and make something surf-able (if that's even a word). I started to really enjoy and absorb other cultures, I fell semi in love with Europe's ancient historic buildings and their espresso shots of coffee in gas stations. My mom pretty much traveled to every event with me this year and that made us even closer than we've ever been.
I won the US Open Pro Junior and that was the highlight of my year. Performing in front of hundreds either makes or breaks you and I really enjoyed succeeding in front of many eyes.
I went on my first boat trip to Indonesia! That was a completely different type of surf trip that I have ever been on! Surfing for 8 hours a day in pretty much the harshest sun ever! I was able to talk with a lot of the locals, who had no idea about the westernized world.
Loving every second at home that I get! Working the facebook page, love twitter. Currently I'm working with Channel Islands surfboards on equipment which is so crucial to surfing.
Love my O'Neill family and all the support they continue to give me! I'm planning on getting really fit and focused for the remainder of the year. You have to over prepare to not under perform! So that my latest motto! Thanks to Shaun Ward! Best team manager..
Sage's US Open Pro Junior Victory
US Open Autograph Signings
Sage Erickson's First WCT Event in Peru
Sage Blogs about her experience.
Peru was my very first World Championship Tour event ever! The trip was awesome... kinda. It had its up and downs but what trip doesn't. The wave that the contest was held at was versatile and was a good spot to hold an event in my opinion. I missed out by qualifying for the tour last year by one spot. Sad yet great in the sense that this year I've been holding the number one alternate spot. I don't think I was ready for it last year. The WCT is a job, a career and an athlete's dream. You have to be fit not only physically but mentally and I feel like I still have much to grow in those areas. Each contest I have been gaining experience in all of the above.
Peru is a very poor country. Lima was the prettiest/cleanest part that I saw. Driving to SanBartolo there is not much to see but sand hills. I would picture it as Egypt with more dirt/soil. I have never been to Egypt but thats what my visual is. The sand hills are covered with boxcar like homes with no electricity, or running water, nothing. Once you get to the contest area it's beachier versions of the boxcars, some nice homes as well. When my first heat came along I was really nervous. It was the first time that I would be competing against girls like Chelsea Hedges, Steph Gillmore and Sally Fitzgibbons, all whom I find absolutely amazing surfers. I ended up losing in Round 1, a rookie's nightmare. It was a punch to my confidence that I had going into the event. I knew that I had to keep my head up and look onto Round 2, a second chance. In my first heat I received a 7.5 on one wave and needed a 3 to advance and I could not find it. Going into my second heat I knew that I was capable of the scores needed but technical smart heat surfing was needed this time. With visualizing and focus my performance improved in my second heat of the event and I won!
Round 3 was on. I had a lower seed going into the event, I drew former world champion Sofia Mulanvich, Queen of Peru. Not really but that's how it felt. Me against the country. Every time she stood up in a prior heat the roar of the crowed was unheard of. She is a god here, giving me poor hope for success.
I knew going into the 'man-on-man' heat I would have to surf my best, push my resolve and execute everything to perfection. Sofia and I exchanged waves and scores throughout the entire heat. She opened with 2 mid 6's and I opened up with a 7.4. Needing a 6.5 with 2 minutes left I got a smaller wave and surfed my hardest. I saw the quarters ahead of me. Tunnel visioned towards the judges stands I turned and carved. Kicking out of the wave I heard a couple appaloosas. I put my head down and prayed that would be the score..it came through and there it was a 6.8! I got the score..i couldnt believe it. I sprinted and fast as I could back out to the lineup. Only to find sofia pick off a great wave. I closed my eyes and said its in God's hands now. She received an 8 and went back to first. I lost, but not without a fight. When I got to the beach the girls congratulated me on my performance. I was proud to be a part of this event. It lit a fire in my eyes. This is where I want to be, what I want to be and what I will become.
I continued on to watch the girls compete. I really wanted Sally to win. She is a true athlete that I strive to take advice from yet a great friend at the same time. Her surfing is amazing. She continues to progress and I continue to take note. Silvana Lima ended up winning. She surfed amazing in the final and a well deserved first place. I'm headed home now. Excited and ready. On to the next adventure, Indonesia in a week. My first boat trip! Yay.
O’Neill Girls Team Relaxing in Hawaii
Malia Manuel, Sage Erickson, the Partridge twins and Taira Barron enjoying in the tropics.
Girls Backdoor Session
Malia Manuel and Sage Erickson rip apart a small day at Backdoor. Photos taken by Freesurf's Tony Heff.
1. Most embarrassing moment?
Hmm, that's a hard one. I would have to say that my most embarrassing moment ever was when I went to an Oakley media event in Miami. It was the first morning there and every magazine journalist from the likes of Teen Vogue, Seventeen to even Cosmo were there. It was a buffet breakfast and I came back with my plate of food only to find that when I sat down my entire chair collapsed to the ground sending my eggs and bacon all over my clothes. I don't think my face as ever been so red! Everyone giggled a bit but a majority wanted to make sure I was ok. Lets just say I'm always cautious when sitting in fold up chairs now.
2. Favorite quote?
To be nobody but yourself, in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. E.E. Cummings.
3. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate everything please. I think I'm addicted, is that normal?
4. Glass on fins or fin systems? Why?
For some reason I ended up being one of those glass on fins surfers. Many people have their opinions on them and what they limit a surfer to but I think they are great. All my channel island boards have worked amazing so I don't complain, just stick to what i know.
5. Favorite surf destination and wave?
My favorite surf destination still to this day was my very first surf trip ever to Nicaragua with the O'Neill girls team. I was 14 and they invited me to go on a 2 week trip with a couple of my past surf heros. The waves were amazing and I'm sure I wasn't the best surfer back then but the vibe and the overall place was awesome. Coming from California the waves don't have that good quality on a consistent basis that other places like Nicaragua have. We surfed three times a day, everyday. For me that was something that my surfing needed and I came home feeling great.
6. Favorite maneuver?
My favorite maneuver is getting barreled. There's nothing like the feeling. I could totally sound like a surf savy and go into complete depth about it but to make it simple and best understanding for a non surfer it would be that same feeling as getting an A+ on a school paper, or scoring a goal in soccer, even winning a race. Plus not every wave barrles so its not an often maneuver, which makes it that much more special.
7. Celebrity crush?
Oh no, I have way to many. But I'll be a movie star junkie and say that I'm never shy to watch a Brad Pitt staring movie.
8. What's in your traveling quiver?
Two or three boards. Two Al' Merrik Flyers, 5'9 by 18' for small windy waves and one Proton for great conditions.
9. Status (Married, single, whatever?)
Single. Haven't met my prince charming yet.
10. Favorite website?
www.oneill.com
11. Sounds?
I love everything, but I listen to a lot of country and or alternative music. Taylor swift, Sneaky Sound System, Beyonce, The Yeah Yeahs, The Killers.
12. Biggest influence in your life?
I look to my closest friends and family as my greatest influencers.
13. Favorite Surfers?
Dane Reynolds and Jordy Smith.
14. What traits in the opposite sex are most attractive?
I find boys smiles and hair key factors. I guess generally how they carry themselves too tells a lot about their personalty.
15. Worst wipeout?
Last winter in Hawaii was my worst wipeout ever. My best friend Coco and I were out at Rocky point on the North Shore of Oahu and the swell was getting bigger by the hour. The current was really strong, sucking us deeper towards the main peak, a huge set came and we barely made it through the first wave. We were both paddling as fast as we couple only to find a longboarder way outside of use bailing his board because the second wave was even bigger than the first. We both bailed our boards, getting thrown around under water I was pushed really deep. I felt something hit my head really hard and then my shoulder. I started swimming to the top but I was swimming for so long that I thought since I did flips under water that I was actually swimming down. I felt my head get light and I just told my self to keep swimming. I got to surface and saw that the longboard was broken in half and tangled up with Coco. We ended up getting washed to shore. All said and done we were held under water for 2 entire waves. The long board was what hit me in the head and Coco was what pushed off my shoulder helping her get to the surface faster. That was the most worked both of us have ever gotten.
16. Words to live by?
To believe in yourself is worthy of life itself.
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world
- year: 2006
- title: Winner of the Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior
- description:
- year: 2008
- title: 2nd NSSA Open Women's
- description:
- year: 2009
- title: 3rd Year qualifier for World Jr. Championships
- description: