CARLSBAD, Calif. – Vince Alessi is a professional surfer and financial advisor from Carlsbad, California who now resides in neighboring Oceanside. Vince has been ripping up north county waves since he was nine years old. Along the path, Vince has managed to top the SCSS in 1997 as the Men’s Jr. Champion and earning a spot to compete as the youngest member of the 1999 USA Surf Team. Years later Vince continues to rip local spots such as his favorite consistent break the “Oceanside Harbor”. Vince loves traveling for surf too. He has surfed Puerto Escondido, Kauai, Indonesia, Baja California, Northern California, Oregon to name a few. Even with all those great places his favorite break in the world in “Southern Mexico”. When asked what the name of this secret spot is… he, said “All I can tell you is that it is south of San Diego and north of Guatemala, Sorry I am not inclined to say” But he did note that what makes this spot his fav is that it is extremely easy to get to, cool people, great food, perfect waves, and warm water!
“One of the best things I enjoy about surfing is that it is away to detach myself from the world, besides my wife it is the only other time I can say I feel pure joy” I said to Vince some people describe surfing as a freedom, would you agree? “A freedom, funny, I would describe it as a disease or a drug because once you are infected or try it you become addicted. But if you are saying that people feel free when surfing then I would agree to that because it’s a great way to express themselves”
With so much talk about “The importance of Shape” as in the article I wrote for “The Inertia” I asked if he has a magic surfboard and what makes it magic? “My magic surfboard is broken. I usually ride the 5’11 Speed Monkey from RAT Surfboards. What makes this particular model for me magical is that when I first tried it worked on the first try meabing my surfing felt effortless, and all I had to do was look and turn to where I wanted to go on the wave”.
Vince and RAT met back in late 1999 when RAT was shaping for Clubber Surfboards. RAT shaped a model called the “RAT Rocket” Vince tried the board and loved it. Vince was killing it on RAT’s board in SCSS, USSF, AAU, and NSSA contest. It wasn’t long before someone mentioned to RAT there is this grom ripping it up on your “RAT Rocket model”. One thing led to another and here they are almost 13 years later still connected! That’s pretty magical if you ask me!
Vince and I have actually known each other for years and I have been fortunate enough to have seen Vince’s surfing skills progress over the years. I think one of the biggest contributions to Vince’s surfing is his skateboarding. Over the years we would surf, skate, surf some more and I can see that the skateboarding complimented Vince’s style of surfing. Whether it was aerials, steep barrels, or just crazy tricks he was trying on his surfboard. You can tell that whatever the case he was surfing like a cat on acid. Vince says, “Skateboarding vert ramps and pools really helped with my aerials. When surfing and you air, most surfers want to lean back thus falling off the board. While with skating when you do an air you need to be completely over your board or you will eat the pavement. Most surfers I know also skate but it is hard to find a skater that surfs”.
As a financial advisor for Edward Jones Vince still makes time for surfing. “The beauty of my career is that I’m in charge of my own business development as well as my own schedule. Because of the freedom I have, I can surf when I want so when the waves are small and flat I work my arse off. That way when we do get a swell I don’t feel so guilty when I take time off from work to surf”.
For viewers sake I wanted to list some of the few companies that are available to purchase stock in. These are listed here for your curiosity. Nike (NKE), Billabong International Ltd (BLLAF), Quicksilver (ZQK), Volcom (VLCM) has merged and now owned and operated with French company ING Prime Rate Trust (PPR) on May 3rd, 2011.
Vince is constantly working or surfing which made sense to create his own surf inspired website and video production company, “Straight Out Productions”. Vince most recently has been pictured in the surf mags busting huge “Superman Airs” pushing the envelope in the surfing industry” I have never really seen anyone bust the superman air out as it remains one of the hardest airs to do. Vince says “The landing is probably the most difficult”. It is no doubt in my mind that the reason Vince can pull these types of airs is because of his skateboarding. Currently Vince Alessi is one of the best aerialist in surfing and his consistantly improving his game!
The Cardiff Kook is honored to have had the opportunity to interview Vince Alessi and we wish him all the success this 2012 and beyond. We look forward to see the progression of Vince’s surfing. Some of Vince Alessi’s supporters and sponsors are RAT Surfboards, Jet Pilot Wetsuits, Airspeed Shoes, Diamond Tips Surfco Hawaii, StraightOut.com. Check them out!
Contact Vince Alessi -Vincent.alessi@edwardjones.com
