Meister Ranks His Hot 100; Discusses 2pac, Pineapple Express, And The Secret

When he’s not sticking new-age aerials, Big Island surfer Torrey Meister’s just a regular twenty-year-old spouting 2pac quotes and having fun. Ranked at #21 in SURFER’S brand new, hot-off-the-press Hot 100, we decided to catch up with the Banyans local to learn The Secret.

So what’s it like growing up as a Big Island surfer?

It’s a lot different when you grow up somewhere where the waves are uncrowded and surfing is more of a lifestyle. It was always fun for us, but we wanted to be pros. Going to crowded places is a trip, though.

There’s a lot of talent in that area. How do you think your peer group and the pros that came before you affected your surfing?

Surfing with Tonino Benson and Casey Brown made a really healthy environment to push each other every day. There was always a healthy rivalry going on, and I think that’s the reason we’ve gotten where we are today. And plus the wave that we grew up surfing is one of those waves you can do anything on. It’s a left and a right and there are always waves. And having Shane Dorian and Conan make it is definitely inspiring.

Do you think your local wave, Banyans, fosters a certain style of surfing?

I think we all have a different style, but at the same time a few guys have similar characteristics. I don’t think I surf like Casey or Tonino at all – but at Banyans we get so much support. Whenever we come home from a trip, it’s an amazing feeling because of that local support.

Do you have any advice to kids aspiring to make the Hot 100?

Follow your dreams and surf all day and give it your best shot. I think the more you surf the better off you’re going to be.

Is there a standard maneuver in competitive surfing that any aspiring pro must have in their repertoire now that never used to be a factor?

Yeah. I think everyone has to be able to do airs now. You don’t see too many people nowadays that can’t do a good air. Some guys are really good at it and have taken it to a new level, and I think it’s the way of the future. Boards are getting better and we’re trying to figure out ways to get higher and it’s really exciting.

If you had to rank your own Hot 100 who would it be? You can’t count yourself.

Ha…I’d never count myself..well here goes:

1. Jordy Smith
2. Julian Wilson
3. Dusty Payne
4. Tonino Benson
5. Kai Barger

Last year you were described by SURFER Hot 100 as “the fastest surfer in the Hot 100.” What do you have to say about that?

I didn’t know I surfed with a lot of speed, but that’s cool. Reckless. Yeah , I guess at the bar.

If you had to listen to four artists rest of your life, who would they be?

2pac, Lynyrd Skynrd, The Eagles, and Bob Marley.

What’s the last book you read?

The Secret.

What’s The Secret?

You don’t know The Secret?

Are you messing with me?

Dude, look it up. It’s huge. Everyone’s knows what it is.

What?

It’s about attracting certain qualities. You have to check it out. I can’t believe you haven’t heard of it – that’s heavy.

I’m not sure if you’re messing with me, but I’ll look it up. So what’s your favorite movie?

Pineapple Express or Wedding Crashers – something funny.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

I’m going to do a couple WQS events, but not the whole thing. I want to get in the top 100 of the WQS and do about 8 or 10 events which sounds like a lot. And I’d really like to get in at Hawaii in the Triple Crown. That would be huge.

What do you have to do to get in to the Triple Crown?

Basically just be from Hawaii. Hahah…nah, I’m just joking. You have to be in the top 100 or so. I’d love to get in the Pipe Masters, but otherwise I just want to try to get good movie parts and great photos for this Billabong Movie and Aaron Lieber’s film and hopefully Taylor Steele’s projects too. That would be really cool.

Editor’s note: The Secret is indeed a real piece of literature. Cultish in tone, it claims to “reveal the most powerful law in the universe.” Torrey knows the secret.