Article
HOW TO GET SPONSORED Slop on Style Then Slop on Stickers
Okay, you’re connecting your turns, your roundhouse is smooth, and you’ve punted a few airs. You’ve done some local contests and come away with the hardware. Maybe you’re a bit sick of looking at all that empty space on the top of your board. Maybe you’re over paying for your own clothes. Maybe you even think it will help you get some chicks. Whatever your reason, you want to get sponsored. Well then, my unsponsored friend, you’ve come to the right place. After talking with some of surfing’s premiere team managers as well as the sponsor monsters themselves, we’ve got the goods to get you on your way.
Here are a few tips that will transform your board from au naturale to sticker-smothered significance:
Considering surf companies are on the verge of slapping stickers on babies’ bare asses, there has never been a better time to be a grom.
1. Get born right now. Considering surf companies are on the verge of slapping stickers on babies’ bare asses, there has never been a better time to be a grom. “If a kid can do a cut back they’ll sponsor him,” says NSSA ripper, Oliver Kurtz. “I’ve seen kids at like seven or eight get sponsored.” Youth is powerful weapon in the surf industry. So if you’ve got it flaunt it, and the companies will flock.
2. Utilize the support staff. Bring your girlfriend (OR boyfriend – okay, mom will work too) down to the beach with the video camera and rack some serious time on film. “The best thing for them to do is send in a video portfolio,” says O’Neill team manager Micah Pitts. “Video is the best portfolio. It’s easy to watch and you can see if the rider has potential.”
3. Come legit. Make sure you have a good product before you go advertising your merchandise. “It’s better to be the dark horse or underdog and wait until you’re surfing better so that you can pick who you want to ride for,” advises Pitts. Self-promotion is only acceptable if you have the goods to support it. Roxy Surf Team Manager Torri Alexander concurs, “We don’t just hand out stuff; it’s a two way street. Show us why we need you.”
4. Don’t be an ass. “Attitude has cost a lot of riders publicity perks,” says Alexander. A good attitude will always take you farther than a good aerial. We all know you have skills, being a punk doesn’t get that across any more clearly.
5. Go to school. Nobody wants to give money to an idiot.
6. Pump iron. Do some squats, some biceps curls, maybe go on a vigorous daily rollerblade to build your endurance. “When it’s flat, train so that when there’s a swell you stand out,” Pitts suggests. Playing videogames and watching Fuel won’t help your surfing nearly as much as a good, long sweat session.
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Comments
May 24, 2013 11:23 pm
hi i am looking for a sponsorship for my surfing i am 12 years old and i ride a 4’11 Matt manners board and i wish to have a sponsor .it will be good if i could get a sponsor i have got 1st in Taj small frieze , wahu , 2nd in state round, ripcul surf event, and my locale board rides it would be good thank u
April 11, 2013 4:23 pm
Hemisect is a new surf company that will begin a launch over the next few months. We will be looking to have small sponsorships with some young surfers in the Southern California area. We are interested in both male and females looking for their first sponsorship and who want to compete. Email us at thehemisectcompany (at gmail dot com)
March 31, 2013 3:41 am
Hey im Jack i live in North Devon England and im 12 years old, i love surfing, i go in whenever there is a wave, i am quite good, i can cut back and ride a wave but i really need a new board because i cant duckdive to get out in the big waves i would really love to get sponsered. When im not surfing im skating and hanging out with friends
February 14, 2013 2:54 pm
Hey everyone that is asking for a sponsor. Stop. Enter contests and let your surfing do the talking. Its that easy. If you are really good enough for a sponsor just get out there and the reps will find you.
January 12, 2013 10:07 pm
Hey im Taylor i am 13 and love to surf i live on the Gold Coast, Australia. I would love to get sponsored. My family owns a surf charter boat in the Mentawais called the Pelagic (www.pelagic-charters.com) Im sure you might of heard of it. I can do a wide variety of maneuvers like cutbacks, snap, 360′s, and some airs. I have been surfing since i was about 4 years old. I am always frothing to go for a surf when there is some. If there is no waves im usually hanging with friends or skating. I can take on any wave size and i’ve been dying to get sponsored for a while now, If you could help me out with getting sponsored that would be great. Thanks.
January 2, 2013 12:56 pm
I’m 19 years old and never really thought I’d be able to make it as a professional surfer up until rather recently. Now, I’m starting to notice a few things. The first being that I always tend to find myself alone on the days that it gets really big. This is rather strange considering that out of the 50 or so regular surfers in my town, 8 of them are or where professional surfers, 3 are professional shapers, and one is the national junior team coach. At first I thought they just went to other surf spots that break better when really big. That was, until I ended up knowing all the secret spots in my area. When I checked them on the big days, hoping to have a buddy for a change, (it gets pretty scary out there in 7m waves with no-one but yourself.) I found them empty.
This started to boggle me a little bit. Next thing I know, a guy who has been a life guard on the west coast of South Africa for 7 years (I’m on the south-east coast of South Africa.) shows up on a mildly big day at my home break. It was around 5m, with no-one out. BTW, the west coast of SA is known for their powerful waves, cold waters, and strong currents. In the end, I had to pull the guy out of the water. This truly shocked me.
Now, I never considered myself pro-potential, because I grew up inland, and only moved to the beach when I was 14, and only started surfing when I was nearing 15. I couldn’t even swim when I started, and I basically taught myself how to swim and how to surf all at the same time. I also never saw myself surf up until around a year ago, and that was only in a couple of photo’s
http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPhoto.php?photoId=229192&browseSession=5b9ed11637d417d301d4c92792efa9cd
(Here is one of them.)
Now, this was taken on a really, really small day, and due to the fact that I am 6’3″ and 220 pounds, I don’t surf all that well on small waves. I have never seen video of myself, because I just can’t get anyone to film me.
Once I can actually get someone to film me for a couple of sessions, I’d like to actually SEE how I surf. I also want to enter a few contests, and see how I do. I will however need to get myself a new board, since my only board is a 7’6″ semi-gun. (I don’t have enough money for more than one board every two years, so I rather got a board shaped that I could actually ride big waves with, because I am addicted to big waves.)
December 26, 2012 6:19 pm
hi i am ten years old i do not know many tricks but i am willing to learn how to do tricks . I always wanted to be sponored by a surf company.I will meet face to face with a team manager ect my email is j.visconti@me.com. i usilly ride a 6’2 or 6’1 and i am fine with any kind of board my favorite surfer is john john florence i live in palm beach county florida town palm beach shores
December 26, 2012 6:02 pm
Hi I am 10 years old and i live in palm beach florida my dream is to one day get sponsored i cant do tricks but i go out every day I AM WILLING TO LEARN HOW TO DO TRICKS i now am just ten years old but i am hungry for waves and will try my best to be #1
.
I AM READY TO BE GOOD AT SURFING!!
December 6, 2012 5:19 pm
I’m a 13 year old long boarder in encinitas San Diego, I’m on my schools surf team and in our first contest of the year and the first contest I’ve been in, I got 3rd place and moved on to semi finals placing 6th. I ride a seven foot egg and I can do cutbacks, floaters, various turns along the face and off the lip, I have also been working on walking up and down the board and I can get one foot on the nose but my boards a little too small to really get into nose riding. I’m looking for just a small local sponsor from one of the local surf shops or something like that.
Thanks,
Austin
December 3, 2012 1:19 am
Hi im vince. I live in Santa Cruz,CA. I love to surf i feel like the ocean is my real home. Im 12 years old. Ever since i was 6 i have been bodyboarding or bodysurfing in the ocean. I picked up surfing and became natrally prtty good around 2 years ago. I REALLY wanna get sponsored. I have a lot o. Friends who are and they say its pretty easy. I can do cutbacks snaps floater small airs. If u would like to make any kind of sponsor please hit me up. Its my dream to be sponsored. I grow up in surf city so i always have good surfers surrounding me and constantly making me better.
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Vince
November 19, 2012 9:48 pm
I am 14 and I can do cutback, snap, backside and frontside 360, floater and about 3 feet of air. I have competed once and got second in the North County championships when I was 11. I want to get sponsored but never really and I want to get sponsored. I am now working on an aerial. I live in Carlsbad, California.
October 21, 2012 11:05 am
I am 13. I surf in long beach island, lido beach in long island new York. I can do cutbacks, snaps, floaters, and maneuvers off the lip. I’m trying tp get sponsored but can’t find a sponsorship
October 21, 2012 12:06 am
Ive been thinking about trying to get sponsOred I am only 15 and i can shred big waves and do a good amount if tricks
September 18, 2012 5:44 pm
Hey I live in North Carolina and i just turned 16. I surf 3 to 5 times a week and I am already sponsored by a local surf shop. I can do nice cutbacks, snaps, floaters, and the occasional little air. I compete in esa contests and make finals often. I am looking for additional sponsors. I can send pictures if needed.
September 18, 2012 12:06 am
i have been waiting to be sponsored i have dreamed of it i am 14 and i can do many tricks hoping to get sponsored one day
August 15, 2012 1:37 pm
MMA brand looking to break into the surf scene by sponsoring a few surfers to wear out new lifestyle clothing line. Surfsponsor@gmail.com
August 15, 2012 1:36 pm
We are an MMA Brand company looking to break into the surf scene by sponsoring a few surfers.
July 19, 2012 1:32 am
Hi my name is Lana i am 14 and I live on the Central Coast NSW Australia. I would lovvvvveee to get sponsored as I wish to be a pro or just get my name out there. I am a pretty alright surfer as I can Do top turns going left or right, cutbacks going left and right, re-entrys going left or right, small floaters, pump waves, other tricks (forgetting names) and me and my friend Darcy are learning to 360. I am resently getting training off pro surfer Amee Donohoe to improve in compitition and get great tips. I have really wanted to get sponsered for a long time now and I would really love to. My favorite place to surf is Copacabana Beach on the Central Coast. Thankyou
May 16, 2012 6:48 pm
Hi, Im Locke and Im 14 years old and live in northern ca near santa cruz. I am more of a power surfer but still can doo small airs. When i try to go big i ussually fall or hurt myself. But i can do some gnarly cutbacks and snaps. I can blow the tail even on the smallest of waves. Im not sayin i want to be the next Kelly Slater but i would like to get my name out there. My favorite place to surf is Steamer Lane because it is the perfect combination of a point and a reef break. Ive gotten hurt a few times there but i still love it.
Thanks
Locke
April 26, 2012 4:55 pm
Hi, my name is Sullivan, I’m 11 and my dad and friends think i could defenitly get sponsored. I can blow the tail almost every wave, punt some airs, and throw big spray, and I’m wanting to start NSSA soon. Alot of my friends are sponsored by Nike, Fox, Gorilla, FCS and other big companies and they rip… every time i surf with them it makes me want to go bigger. I know im not getting sponsored by posting this, im only getting sponsored by winning contests or making it to the finals, but I’m wondering what a company wants in a surfer if they were to sponsor them? please write back.
THANK YOU,
Sullivan G.
April 26, 2012 6:27 am
what up I’m Jordan im 16 I live in Florida, and my vision is to go pro I don’t really compete yet Because I only want to compete when I know im good enough to win won and I believe im almost good enough now so next year im going to join my schools surf team, I can do sexy turns, my snaps are good, I blow tail and reverse it but I lean to far back sometimes and I end up falling, I’m good at floaters i’ve been able to do them for awhile, my airs ;/ I can boost airs but I lean to far back.. but next year I will be landing them, when the waves are flat I longboard and I’m quite good at that, and yeahh, hit me uppp.
April 14, 2012 1:13 am
Hi guys,Im Molly a 11 year old surfer my dream is to be sponsored i can go along the wave,and tried “duo” surfing with my bff(not work out 2 brused heads!)I have been inspired by “bethany Hamilton , Paige Hareb and Lakey Peterson.
I have my own surfing logo i wear on my shirt,My fav places to surf are:Taranaki Fitzroy beach NZ.
I realise being sposored is more than having stickers on your board -its heaps of pratice,good techniqus and skills being a great role model and having sprit hopes and dreams?
I practice as much as posible and surf in my free time.I proberly not good enough to get sponsered yet?!?
thanks for your time,
Yours sincerly
Molly
March 24, 2012 11:22 pm
My name is Ethan I am 12 years old from Los Angeles, CA and whenever Im not in school I will probably be surfing. I have been surfing for four years and I badly want to get sponsored. I can do Cutbacks, Off-the-lips, Snaps, Floaters, and get barreled(both fronside and backside). I can do some small airs and rarely land them. . I am not sure if sponsors will like me because I dont always do so well in the comps. I do ok in major contests but in free, small local contests I almost always make the final. Please email me back. I take surfing very seriously and even have some photos I can send in if necessary.
March 24, 2012 1:33 pm
yeah sorry my friend posted that so ignore it. sorry
March 11, 2012 7:09 am
hi,am hidaya,iwould like to get a sponser from australia.am doing clinical medicine in kampala internatinal universoty in uganda
March 1, 2012 11:08 pm
how the fuck can you compete with hawaiins when living in cali and getting no fucking surf. i cant drive, and my local break in newps has been flat for a long ass time. hawaii pumps clean faces at least 3 foot everyday. how can you make a sponser with shitty lil nug waves?
February 9, 2012 12:20 pm
guys you dont say im looking for a sponsorship you do contests and get good results and if they ask to sponsor you then you say yes and its about doing good bottom turns and hitting that lip hard and charging just surf your best
February 8, 2012 9:17 pm
Hi i am Josiah Sylstra, I am going to turn 11 late february. I surf EVERY SINGLE DAY! No madder what! I can do snaps, cutbacks (roundhouses), floaters, get barreled and some other tricks. I was just wondering if i was good enough to get sponsored or if you can sponsor me! I love to surf its just my passion and i like to skate and love life and all my blessing!
Hope to here back,
bye
January 21, 2012 7:24 pm
hi I’m Aimee I’m 11 I surf 3-4 hours each day in summer I live in great barrier island off the coast of nz I enter the local groms comp and usually come 2nd or 3rd I’m not quite sure if I’m good enough to get sponsored I can do cutbacks, re entrys snaps I can get barreled
am I good enough?
January 13, 2012 4:32 am
hey,
Im Lachie im a super keen surfer and out in the water 24-7 legit. i travel in searh of waves with my dad and friends. My friends think i have what it takes to be sponsored but dont know how to go about it can u please hook me up with and surf brand.
cheers!
January 13, 2012 2:09 am
hey,
Im Lachlan from Sydney AUS im currently 14 and i love surfing. Im out in the water 2 hours a day no matter what the surf is like legit. I travel in search of surf with dad and a few mates and they believe i have what it takes to become sponsored. Can you please help me? I am tired of my plain old bored.
cheers
December 19, 2011 7:35 pm
Being sponsored isn’t everything y’all. Just surf for the love of surfing.
October 17, 2011 1:10 am
hi im reegan and i have been surfing for about 6 years and i can do some tricks like get barelled do snaps and big carves and cut backs but i dont think i get noticed very much how can i get a good sponser like ocean and earth because they are my favourite surf brand so how do i get sponsered by somebody like them. PLEASE HELP ME:)
September 26, 2011 5:41 pm
hey im seth and im 13 years old. i just started surfing last summer and alredy punted an air and stuck it. how can i get noticed or sponsored? hit me up pls. mahalo!
August 27, 2011 10:40 am
hi im mark im 12 and i can cut back turn do everything besides air im close though think i could get sponsered if you do could you recomend a sponser
August 6, 2011 8:32 pm
Hey I’m Joe McCannon and I’m 13 years old. I’m from Ocean Beach, CA. Apparently I’m a little too shy to talk to people so I can get sponsored and my friends aren’t willing to help me. I can do snaps and get shacked on big days but i can’t speak up for myself. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
August 5, 2011 9:13 am
im a surfer form nc im 13 and i can do cut back round houses and a couple air i was wondering if you think i am good enough to get sponsored
August 2, 2011 5:53 pm
Hi Im kyle and im 14 years old and I love to surf. I live in santa barbara so i dont get to much surf but anytime theres surf from the small knee high days out at mesa lane or surfing way over head rincon. what ever it is i will surf it. i really would like to get sponsered. i am better than all my friends and one of the best at my school. i have been on many surf trip my most recent was at costa rica where we surfed macking double overhead pavones and got massive playa hermosa. if you can help me out with sponsering tell me thanks, kyle
July 11, 2011 6:44 pm
hey mates im 14 yrs old, live in Tweed/Coolangatta, NSW, Aus about 5 minutes from Snapper. I surf as often as i can after school and weekends. ive got most ground maneuvers dialled, snaps cutbacks floaters re entries sprays carves all good, tryin my hand at airs im doin alright. i can take on any wave size and im dyin’ to land myself a sponsor for ages. who should i go to for a sponsorship? cheers mate.=)
June 12, 2011 1:59 am
hey ladds im elijah and i live on ozzie south coast, i can paddle into any size wave, i can re entry cleanly carving 360 floater round house nearly air snap sprays all cleanly where would i send a sponsor me vid to thnx boys=)
May 29, 2011 7:05 pm
hey im 11 years old and im dieing to get sponsored i ride mostly long boards and i can do a helicopter spin and a nose ride do u think thats enough to get sponsored
May 29, 2011 12:51 pm
Hi I am 14 and i am a body boarder and I want to be come sponsored I have some photos of me bodyboarding I can do 360s, barrel role, and I have learnt how to do drop knee. I really enjoy bodyboarding and i hope you can sponsor me.
thanks
May 12, 2011 6:09 pm
Hi, my name is Dylan and I bodyboard and surf. I love both of them and I am from the north shore of Oahu. I would love to be sponsored. Please reply if you can sponsor me.
May 9, 2011 7:26 pm
hey my name is Cameron Golding, i am 13yrs old i would love to become a professional surfer. i enter all the localcomps and have lots of fun.
i have been surfing for 2 and a half years now i absolutly love it i dont know if im good enough to get sponsered but i can do snaps, rounhouses, floaters, 360 and amost land airs.
thanks
April 28, 2011 8:07 am
Hey my name is chandler Bellaw and i am15 years old (but everyone says i look 12 cuz of my voice and i am only 5″3′. but want to be a better surfer i don’t think i am good enough to get sponsored yet, but i’m out on my board every day long board or short board and all i can do is get up and ride the line i’m working on a few things though. but i don’t know how good you half to be to get a sponsorship. …. excuse the email address i made it when i was 8.
April 20, 2011 4:56 pm
Hey, I’m another teenager wanting to get sponsored but I’m trying to make a workout plan for when it’s flat. If anyone’s got any good suggestions please let me know, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.
January 5, 2011 2:25 pm
Hi my name is Alex I’m 15 16 in may I’m a sponger but I want to make it big im sure that I’m the best in my school I live in Porthleven and surf the reef there I think it’s a shame that in our school surfing is dying out so if i did make it big I want to share the feeling of riding the waves when there is any britan is quite bad espesaily on the south cost
December 20, 2010 2:56 pm
hi i am 13 years old and i am nick oneill i have been surfing for a bout 6 years and i try to surf evry day even when there is know waves i can do alot of stuff like snap get bareld do a back side lip 360 and some airs and i come from barbados in the caribbean
December 10, 2010 1:14 pm
hey im nathanel i just turned 14 and i want to be a pro surfer i surf only 1 year and i already have a high level means cut backs snaps roller and some airs im kind of keeping the beach clean not an ass like you know what i mean i surf when there is waves no mater what and even before school and than after when there is no wave i go diving or skimboarding i live in israel near tel aviv and i wnat to move to hawaii whe i tearn 17 and go to be a pro and be world champ and il put some video and pics on youtube soon when they will be waves.