Meet Vanessa Gonzalez, a competitive wakesurfer who we have chosen as the next official contender for the Rockstar Miss TransWorld Wake Model Search for 2013. She is so motivated that she did her own bio and interview for us. What else could we ask for? Be sure to catch Vanessa competing at Wake Surf World Championships this fall. In the meantime, read about what makes her tick then check out her gallery!
“Growing up in a small city in the Bay Area I really didn’t gravitate towards anything athletic. Although I had a very diverse group of friends my main interests were mostly artistic in nature (fashion design, photography and film editing). It wasn’t until my first trip to Hawaii that I found my “inner athlete.” I went with my best friend and decided I wanted to try ocean surfing. From the point that I first stepped on that surf board I knew I found my calling. I spent the rest of my trip dragging her out at the crack of dawn to join me in surfing lessons. I’m not a very good morning person so it takes a lot to get me up early in the morning on vacation to surf, not to mention the major rashes I got from the board, but none of that mattered.”
“The only problem I had when I got back to the mainland was that I lived 2 hours away from the ocean which made it impossible to feed my new passion. Then, in the Summer of 2010, I was introduced to wake surfing. Like my first ocean surfing experience I was immediately hooked. If someone was going on the boat to ride I wanted to be included. It wouldn’t matter what I had planned I’d find a way to get out on the water.”
“Fast forward to today where I’ve now had a chance to enter a few competitions and really see some big improvements in my riding. I even purchased my first boat, a Centurion Avalanche, so I can practice on average of 3 to 4 times a week whenever the weather will allow me. From my first competition in May 2011, I’ve had an opportunity to compete with some of the best riders in the world and get signed by the most amazing sponsors like California Marine Sports, Victoria Skimboards, O’Neill Centurion Boats. Liquid Trends, Twisted Candi, Bomber eye wear and Agenda Surf Pads. I was also given the opportunity to help create the Women’s Wakesurf Association with a great group of girls to help women all over the world progress in wake surfing. It’s all been happening so quickly and I’m so proud and humbled to be in such an elite group of riders and sponsors. I love the surf community and I’m inspired every day to become a better rider and team-mate to help spread my passion for this sport.”
Profession:
Licensed home loan consultant
Likes?
Summer time, sweets, the water, family friends, reading, yoga, fashion, laughing, traveling, snowboarding, the beach, WAKESURFING!!!
Dislikes?
Rainy days, raw onion, gossip, being unproductive, negativity, lying
Foods?
I am not picky at all besides raw onions . I LOVE ice cream, chocolate, macaroni and cheese, steak, Cuban food and all of the above.
Beliefs? Outlooks on life?
I believe in God, in fact, you might catch me saying a prayer before every competition although I never flaunt it. I believe in taking one day at a time but setting future goals. I believe in in being grateful for what you have but all ways striving for more, imperfections are what make things perfect, I believe in true love, miracles, laughing heals all, living in the moment and that the mind in one of the most powerful things on this planet. I believe everything happened for a reason, EVERYTHING, including my wakesurf past and future.
Quotes?
Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like no ones watching and live like its heaven on earth” Mark Twain
“If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew, just go right along and you’ll start happening too.” Dr. Seuss
Instagram – @this_is_vanessa
Twitter – @this_is_vanessa
