Wave of the Winter unofficial winner Joseph Kimmel in the slot. When I apologized that there was no prize for winning JJ humbly said “I already got the prize”. Photo: Michael Dolan.
Wave of the Winter
Interview with the Barrel Slayer JJ Kimmel
JJ is a 29 year old graduate from USF working for an environmental company doing surveys. He lives in Gulfport. JJ was super humble when I spoke with him via the cellphone. He said it was unbelievable how many ripper shredders were out that day. He said that he is like the least of all the ripper shredders, just super humble, in disbelief that he got one of the best waves that day…
MW: When did you know the forecast was going to be good?
JJ: I was doing a survey in the woods and taking a break I looked at my phone and saw your forecast, this was Tuesday. I basically look at your forecast and then go check the models and buoys and verify if everything looks on.
I told my boss I had a doctor’s apnt and I went in and worked a half a day, I felt bad for lying but my boss surfs also. I got to the beach at 2 and it was crowded but within a couple hours 50% of the people left. (cont… below)
Exit left.
Tell us about the wave:
JJ: It was a solid set wave. There were a couple guys around. It came right to me. I’m not a great tube rider.
MW: Dude, you look like a pro you’ve got the chill stance, head up, arm down.
JJ: My best day getting barreled was at Playalinda NE swell, SW wind. MW: How did you get that style? JJ: My dad gave me a skateboard when I was five.
MW: Dude, congrats on Wave of the Winter. It looks a little bigger than CJ’s 2003 barrel.
JJ: I’m just so stoked to get barreled esp at home. It’s such a special feeling and when I saw Mike on the beach with the camera pumping his fist after that wave, it was just super cool.
CJ Hobgood 2003. Photo: John Purdy
WFL Saturday last day of a Surfy February 2015: Great month for surf… Next weeks front started out looking good on the models a few days ago but has got weak and backdoor since then. 50/50 that the next Friday front could produce thigh high lines. The downhill pattern into the SE we had for the last few weeks is on a break. Hopefully it comes back for the 2nd week in March. March is usually a good month for surf in WFL although it looks to start slow. Keep checking back into Monday to look at the Friday 3/6 surf chances. It’s been so flakey I would not start feeling confident unless it goes notch up into Tuesday. Have a great weekend.
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Gulf Coasters Shred!