Author Topic: New Kid on the Block - Luca Padua  (Read 3804 times)

Beasho

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New Kid on the Block - Luca Padua
« on: March 09, 2018, 03:18:55 PM »
Luca Padua was recently sitting in English class at Half Moon Bay High School when he received a text from a friend congratulating him on being slated as an official alternate in the 2017–2018 Mavericks big wave surf contest. The news immediately stirred Padua up. At the age of just 16, he was now one of the youngest surfers to ever make the roster for the famed competition. . . . . Padua is quick to attest to this. At 16, he is now in his third season surfing the break since making his first drop — amazingly — at just 13 years old. For Padua, Mavericks is more than a contest, it is a yearning to be with the wave as much as possible. Living less than a mile away in El Granada, Padua has embraced the opportunity of his proximity.

Full Story Here:
https://thesixfifty.com/meet-the-youngest-person-to-ever-surf-the-mavericks-big-wave-break-9f58152bc1be
« Last Edit: March 09, 2018, 03:21:47 PM by Beasho »

Beasho

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Re: New Kid on the Block - Luca Padua
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2018, 03:19:03 PM »
We had Luca's parents over for a cocktail party last weekend.  Gino, his father, has been a successful salesman in the tech space.  I asked him about Luca's future surfing aspirations citing the fact that NONE of the Pros on the world tour have a college degree.  He said "Luca knows the importance of education and we are realistic about how hard it is to 'become a professional basketball player' for example."

The difference with Luca is that he is the youngest to ever surf Mavericks.  Others who surfed by the age of 16 were Jay Moriarty, Anthony Tashnick and Nick Lamb.  The first made famous in film "Chasing Mavericks."  The later two each won the Mavericks surf competition.   He is in pretty good company with that crowd. 

PS: Just don't hold your breath and sit at the bottom of the ocean for too long.
« Last Edit: March 09, 2018, 03:29:05 PM by Beasho »

Beasho

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Re: New Kid on the Block - Luca Padua
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2018, 03:19:10 PM »
I have surfed with Luca for 5 years.  He was one of the few local kids that would surf big Ross' cove.  Ross is a left hand break that will hold surf to ~ 20 feet.  Most of the local kids surf Half Moon Bay's beach breaks @ Kelly Street, The Jetty or Montara. 

Ross was once described as the worlds best B- (minus) wave because it tends to be soft.  However it will hold size and can be considered a stepping stone to Mavericks.

Here was a shot taken in the fall of 2016: Jeff Clark, Kai Lenny, Luca Padua and . . . Beasho.  This represented surfers in their 50's, 40's, 20's and teens.  Good company :)

I was trying to get Luca into SUP'ing a few years ago.  Not cool enough.  He has since become very good friends with Kealii Mamala and friends with Kai Lenny. 

The result was that Luca entered the SUP event at the Half Moon Bay Jetty classic last weekend.  He made it to the finals.  Kealii and Kai have made their influence. 
« Last Edit: March 09, 2018, 03:43:16 PM by Beasho »

eastbound

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Re: New Kid on the Block - Luca Padua
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2018, 05:43:39 AM »
cocktails at chez beasho!

bet the guest list, beyond the Padus's, was quite interesting.............
Portal Barra 8'4"
Sunova Creek 8'7"
Starboard Pro Blue Carbon  8'10"
KeNalu Mana 82, xTuf, ergoT

Beasho

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Re: New Kid on the Block - Luca Padua
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2018, 04:31:02 PM »
Luca Padua continues to Charge:

If you are into big-wave surfing this was a pretty good overview. 

It included all the characters and perspectives of the veterans Garrett and Jamie Mitchell, the bad-ass Aaron Gold, the up and coming energetic youth Luca Padua, the female angle from Emily Erickson and the neophyte paddler Alessandro Marciano. 

There was plenty of time spent on Luca, his energy and desire to overcome injury.  Alessandro's character was particularly interesting because of the fear, lack of experience and whining he displayed.  The rest of the team was being pretty sensitive to this but they could have just said what Jeff Clark often says "If you want a wave then go over there (pointing to the bowl) and get one." 

On the Olympic Channel:

http://mag.magicseaweed.com/1103076/2/

It's mostly a mental game and Alessandro was the perfect 'frazzled' newbie.   

GARRETT MCNAMARA'S DRAMATIC RETURN TO THE WAVE THAT NEARLY SIDELINED HIS CAREER
and includes Luca Padua the 16 year old phenom from Half Moon Bay.
« Last Edit: November 24, 2018, 04:38:37 PM by Beasho »

Beasho

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Re: New Kid on the Block - Luca Padua
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2018, 04:33:03 PM »
Luca is currently still just 16 years old and an 'alternate' for the Mavericks event in 2018-2019.

He was in Nazarre this week and caught one of the biggest waves of his life. 

Go Luca!

https://youtu.be/BGN4YBAztnA
« Last Edit: November 24, 2018, 04:39:47 PM by Beasho »

 


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