Joel Tudor
Encyclopedia
Joel Tudor is a surfer
, primarily known for longboarding, and competitive grappler from San Diego, California
.
and, while in his early teens, gained both recognition and sponsorship for this. On the water, his apparently effortless skill saw him turn pro at 14 & he won his first professional ASP
competition at age 15, making him the youngest competitor to win an ASP event. Unlike the vast majority of his contemporaries who were riding only modern short surfboards, he also rode the out-of-fashion longboard, and it was the longboard that catapulted him to worldwide fame in his mid-teens. His reputation was such that, when he was on a break, other surfers would sometimes leave the water to watch his silky mastery of such skills as nose-riding ("hanging five" and "hanging ten" - riding with the toes of one or both feet hanging over the nose of the board List of surfing terms#H). Admiration of Tudor was a major factor in the longboard revival of the 1990s.
Despite wide recognition as the doyen of modern longboard riders, and regularly competing in the longboard world championships, it took seven attempts before he finally won this event in the Canary Islands
in 1998. Some Criticism has been forwarded, especially by other surfers such as Roth Allen, that his skills are largely blown out of proportion and that his only real skill is effective marketing. Nonetheless he has enjoyed a spectacular and influential career. He won the U.S. Open of longboarding
a record 8 times & he reclaimed the ASP Longboard World Championship in 2004.
Due to his skill on both longboards and shortboards, on big waves and small, Tudor is widely considered to be an extremely versatile surfer, and is also known for being unusually open-minded with regard to the diverse equipment that can be used for wave riding. He is most closely associated with heavily glassed, single-fin longboards typical of the 1960s which help define his smooth and flowing style.
Joel now has his own surfboard manufacturing company called kookboxx, as well as selling wetsuits in Japan
.
and Riding Waves.
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
, primarily known for longboarding, and competitive grappler from San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Early life
His father, Joe, who ignored the shortboard revolution himself and never abandoned his longboard, first put his Joel on a surfboard during a family trip to Puerto Vallarta. He was hooked instantly.Professional Surf career
He started out in skateboardingSkateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
and, while in his early teens, gained both recognition and sponsorship for this. On the water, his apparently effortless skill saw him turn pro at 14 & he won his first professional ASP
Association of Surfing Professionals
The Association of Surfing Professionals is the governing body for professional surfers and is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best talent in a variety of progressive formats.- Predecessors to the ASP :...
competition at age 15, making him the youngest competitor to win an ASP event. Unlike the vast majority of his contemporaries who were riding only modern short surfboards, he also rode the out-of-fashion longboard, and it was the longboard that catapulted him to worldwide fame in his mid-teens. His reputation was such that, when he was on a break, other surfers would sometimes leave the water to watch his silky mastery of such skills as nose-riding ("hanging five" and "hanging ten" - riding with the toes of one or both feet hanging over the nose of the board List of surfing terms#H). Admiration of Tudor was a major factor in the longboard revival of the 1990s.
Despite wide recognition as the doyen of modern longboard riders, and regularly competing in the longboard world championships, it took seven attempts before he finally won this event in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
in 1998. Some Criticism has been forwarded, especially by other surfers such as Roth Allen, that his skills are largely blown out of proportion and that his only real skill is effective marketing. Nonetheless he has enjoyed a spectacular and influential career. He won the U.S. Open of longboarding
U.S. Open of Surfing
The U.S. Open of Surfing is a week-long surfing competition held annually during the summer in Huntington Beach, California. Generally held on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier, the U.S...
a record 8 times & he reclaimed the ASP Longboard World Championship in 2004.
Due to his skill on both longboards and shortboards, on big waves and small, Tudor is widely considered to be an extremely versatile surfer, and is also known for being unusually open-minded with regard to the diverse equipment that can be used for wave riding. He is most closely associated with heavily glassed, single-fin longboards typical of the 1960s which help define his smooth and flowing style.
Grappling
Joel Tudor is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Black Belt and World Champion, Rodrigo Medeiros / BJJ Revolution Team. He has won numerous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu titles such as the Pan Ams and US Nationals. He is also an ADCC veteran.Other Projects
During 1999 - 2004 Tudor collaborated with photographer Michael Halsband to create Surf Book, a homage to the architects of contemporary surf culture. Tudor's text accompanied Halsband's photographs. The book was designed by Doug Lloyd and edited by Scott Hewlett. Additional text was written by C.R. Stecyk.Joel now has his own surfboard manufacturing company called kookboxx, as well as selling wetsuits in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Documentaries
Joel Tudor is featured in the art film "Surf Movie: reels 1- 14" shot in 8mm by Michael Halsband, as well as The Seedling, Sprout, and "The Present" surfing films all shot in 16mm film by Thomas Campbell. Tudor also features in a large number of other surf films including Longer, One California DayOne California Day
One California Day is a 2007 documentary film about surfing shot in six coastal regions in California. Directed by Mark Jeremias and Jason Baffa, the film looks at the experience of California surfing from Crescent City to Imperial Beach...
and Riding Waves.