Shop Talk

With John Villela, Shop Challenge Squad Member and Co-Owner Of Revolution Surf Shop

You guys came pretty close to reclaiming the National Title last year, but Sunrise just edged you guys out. Were you guys happy with second place?

[Laughs] In a winner take all contest? No. Not really. We wanted to win, and we came really close. And I think if the right wave had come our way at the end, we would have. But, with all said and done, I was stoked to see the Sunrise guys win last year. They deserved it and did a great job.

This year, from the sound of things, you guys are going with exactly the same roster as you did last year. Is the philosophy: “If it isn’t broke don’t fix it?”

Actually, we had to make a last minute change to the team. We were planning on going with the same lineup, but Nathaniel Curran injured his shoulder. So we’re subbing in “Wraparound” Chris Brown.

Nice. So, how’re you feeling about the team now?

We’re feeling strong. If anything, I feel like I need to step up and surf to the level of the rest of the guys. But if I can do that, I feel like we’ve got a great shot. I guess we wouldn’t be going up to Santa Cruz if we didn’t think we had a chance of winning this thing.

Speaking of the regional qualifier, which teams are you looking out for?

Well, Channel Islands always has a strong team, so they come to mind straight away. And ET Surfboards always seems to be in the finals, so we’ll look out for them as well. Other than that, Ventura, they’re a constant threat. And we just need to watch out for squads that look more like they have three pros and one floor guy on the roster. There’re a few of them out there. [Laughs]

What’s the Revolution strategy for success?

We want to surf aggressively. And take it heat by heat. If we make the final, then it doesn’t matter who we surf against—we’ll just have to surf the best we can and hope that’s enough. But it seems like whenever all four guys put it together it works out for the best. We’re fired up. I just surfed some knee-high waves to warm up and we’re ready to head north in the next day or so.