An interview with the world's fastest-rising surfer by Stab.
A few months ago, you probably didn't know about Robbie "Rasta Rob" McCormick, the LOST rider, right?
The 22-year-old Florida man's first encounter was at last year's Vans Stab High in Costa Rica. After Letty Mortensen was injured on Day 1, "RastaRob" was halfway through a 37-hour drive across the United States when he received a surprise call from Nathan Fletcher. Nathan contacted him with an invitation to the Vans Stab High event and told him he'd better get to Costa Rica as soon as possible. "RastaRob" arrived in Costa Rica and surprised everyone there, finishing third at Vans Stab High.
This year at Vans Stab High, Lakey Peak, Indonesia, he surpassed last year's performance and took home the win.
So it's time for us to give a more proper introduction to Robbie "RastaRob" McCormick.
As you might expect, "Rasta Rob" is laid back;
His outspokenness in all his dealings is such that he smiles and says what he thinks.
And we all support that.
After winning the Vans Stab High Indonesia and qualifying for the Pipe Masters, "Rasta Rob" was picked up at the LA airport and whisked to Oceanside. Between gas stops and a glittering San Clemente surf check, he and I talked about fishing in Florida, the precarious nature of modern surf sponsorship, surfing while tossing stones, and whether or not he'll ride Rad Ripper in the Vans Pipe Masters.
He's not as mellow in the water as he is on land.
Stab: Before Vans Stab High this year, many people didn't know who you were. Let me start by explaining your background.
Well, I lived in Georgia until I was 3 or 4 years old. Then we moved to Flagler Beach, Florida, less than a half mile from the beach. My brother started surfing with his friends, and one day he put me on a board. I remember being really scared the first time I went out in the ocean, even in small waves. I started bodyboarding, trying to stand up on it, and my mom decided it was time for me to get a surfboard.
I started going to surf camp in the summer, and my friends and I went every summer. It was something we looked forward to every year. We also had a lot of competitions at surf camp. We also had a surf coach. His name was Jamie Ridgewell. He was a big part of my community. He pushed us out on the waves and helped us train. He made all of us better surfers and better people. He had a heart attack about four or five years ago. He drank a lot of Coca-Cola, so I always thought that might have been the cause.
What's a day in Flagler Beach, Florida like? Do you surf every day?
To be honest, I wouldn't move anywhere else in Florida. Sure, I can surf every day, and it's just like California. It's smaller, but I think the waves in California are actually weaker than in Florida. When Florida gets bigger, it really comes into its own. These days, when I'm home, I spend more time fishing than surfing. I'm a hardcore angler with an 18-foot bay boat. My fishing style is all coastal. Even when I go out on the ocean with my bay boat, I stay within a mile of the beach. I chase tarpon and kingfish.
It's a bit of a pain to have so many sharks around, but you have to pick where the sharks are to get the good fish.
Would you rather spend more on surfing or fishing?
(Laughs) Unfortunately, I spend all my money fishing, especially driving around in my boat. And sometimes I don't catch anything, and I lose about 10 expensive lures because they get snagged on the bottom. That's pretty horrible. I keep driving, losing hundreds of dollars.
But when you catch a big fish, it gives you the same adrenaline rush as doing a big air on a surfboard.
I often fish it because I don't feel it much from other things.
Tell us about the time Nathan Fletcher invited you to Stab High Costa Rica.
I was in Texas on my way back from a trip to California. There was a swell in Florida, so I was in a very sketchy $60 hotel room on my way home. I was surprised and delighted when I got a voicemail from Nathan telling me to go to Costa Rica. I called him back, and he told me I should go to Costa Rica right away on a stub high. I didn't have a passport. I had to drive from Texas to my house in Florida to get a passport, but I made the effort and hopped on a plane to Costa Rica the next morning.
Some people complained about the waves at Lakey Peak not having any sections to air out. Did you think that was a good thing?
Yeah, that was it. I thought the regular waves were really good air waves. There was a good wind, and some of the sections I hit were the biggest air sections I've ever experienced in my life. After a few days of observation, I could see that Lakey Peak had air sections. Sometimes the best sections weren't always at high tide, but there was always something to be found, even if it was small.
I heard you were riding a stockboard at Lakey Peak. Is that true?
It's a stockboard. I got it from a surf shop in Orlando. I called Mike Reola (my partner in Mayhem) and told him I needed a 5'6" Rad Ripper. He found a stockboard at the closest surf shop in Orlando and I went to pick it up. I probably have 20 5'6" Rad Rippers and they're all the exact same dimensions: 5'6 x 19 1/4 x 2.33 27L, the original stockboard size (lol).
If you're considering the Rad Ripper at your local surf shop,
I recommend buying it before this guy "Rasta Rob" comes along.
You've been invited to the Vans Pipe Masters. Will you be riding your 5'6" Rad Ripper?
No, absolutely not (lol) it's not the best barrel board.
But the Rad Ripper is hands down the best board I've ever come across, and I don't know why.
It feels very comfortable not only at sea level but also in the air. It works really well.
But if you're dropping in on an 8-foot Pipeline wave,
No one wants to ride a 5'6 epoxy with this wide squash tail.
What do you ride in Pipe?
It'll definitely be smaller than everyone else's. I've ridden longer boards, 6'6 and 6'8, but I like the feel of a smaller board. I'm thinking I'll be riding a SABO TAJI model or something around 5'11. I haven't actually aired anything bigger than a 6'0 yet, but you all know I want to see me air it at Pipeline!
Instagram(
@rastaaarobbb )
Instagram(
@rastaaarobbb )
