There's a new kid on the block, or so it seems, with his name popping up consistently on the pointy end of junior contest heat draws both locally, and internationally. 16 Year-old J-Bay shredder Dylan Lightfoot has had a consistent year in the junior ranks, with the high point of his year probably coming when he placed second in the U16 division at the ISA World Junior Champs in Peru, held in May this year. He's giving a lot of the older guys some competition by making numerous Pro Junior finals, and he's been selected to represent the SA team again, this time in the Pro Junior division, and the grom is pumped. We caught up with the on-the-rise natural footer to talk about his successful year so far...
Zigzag: Howzit Dyl, let's start with the important question. We've noticed you've had some big results this year. What would you say has attributed to this?
Dylan: Thanks bru, well I've got an amazing coach, Graham Hynes, who I train with three times a week. I have been surfing a lot more and I've really been pushing myself and loving it. I have a personal trainer who I work with twice a week in our local gym. I've been focussing on getting dialed into my surfboards with my shaper and my father, who has played an important role in my surfing career so far. Then I also have to attribute a lot of my success to having Fox as a sponsor, they are committed to helping me achieve my goals. All these things have collectively played a part in my achievements so far.
You seem to thrive on competition. Why is this so?
I have always had this competitive nature that makes me thrive on competing and constantly bettering my performance. I suppose it is in the genes, for me winning is a great feeling, but it all comes down to getting that kick out of surfing a wave to its absolute best.
Your surfing has improved a lot this year. More rail in the water during your turns, smoother style and it keeps getting better. Who or what has been helping you with that?
Definitely Graham Hynes has played a huge role in that aspect. He is always telling me, "Rail-to-rail, hard off the bottom, hard off the top, Combination, Variation..."
Graham has been preaching that for years, and it still works. Anyways, seeing young guys like Gabriel Medina and John Florence qualify for the World Tour, how does this make you feel?
Those two surfers have blown my mind watching them live. From John John charging Ballito this year at the Mr Price Pro at solid 10 to 15-foot, and Gabriel Medina with his explosive aerial approach in the ISA World Junior Champs 2010. It has definitely made me realize I must compete harder and have a more balls-to-the-wall approach.
What do you feel you still need to work on with regards to your surfing to become the complete package?
Well I believe that there is always room for improvement in every aspect of my surfing, but the progressive side of surfing when putting down combos is a side that needs improvement. Coming from a hometown where perfect right handers are directly in front of my doorstep, my backhand surfing is always bugging me. But I enjoy surfing backhand which gives me confidence to surf my best in contests.
You've been doing good in those so far this year. What would you say are your surfing strengths?
Hollow pointbreaks with huge walls. Carving and tearing up an open face gets me super amped, same as with a little beach breaks with peaky aerial sections, I feel those are the two bests.
You've just qualified for the U20 Springbok team to compete at World Games. You pumped?
Super Pumped! Bali and Brazil are two places I have dreamt of going to! I was fortunate to go to Australia last year and I am very excited to go back there for the third time.
You'll be surfing against some of the best U20 surfers in the world. Nobody goes to a contest not expecting to win the whole thing, but what kind of a result will you be satisfied with at the end of the day?
I am only 16 so it’s a learning curve but at the same time there is no pressure, so I am going all out and taking it heat by heat which will hopefully take me to the top.
What is your favourite thing about surfing right now?
I love getting barreled on those clean glassy days! There is nothing better than taking off on a solid wave and getting so deep that the foam ball starts to hit your tail and then getting spat out - That same sort of feeling when riding a perfect wave to its absolute full potential
Have you planned ahead at all with regards to a surfing career? A five year plan perhaps?
I want to win the U18 ISA World Games, then I want to win the Pro Junior world title, or to place in the top four in my last couple of years in the Pro Juniors. Then I plan to get onto the World Qualifying Series and get my points up, and hopefully make it onto the world tour within a five year period.
Does anything distract you from your surfing goals?
Maybe a week of onshore, the odd girlfriend, Nah not really, I start doubting myself a bit when I have had bad results, but realise it's all part of the learning curve and thankfully I haven’t had many bad results this year.
Who do you look up to the most, in surfing and in life?
Kelly Slater with his humble attitude towards his achievements over the years. My parents who give 100% to all they do, and Graham Hynes who at 80 plus runs up and down the beach like a teenager.
I've seen you go hell for leather on a dirtbike, no fear... You still ride much?
Unfortunately I haven’t been riding much lately, but when it comes to my motorbike there is no holding back for me, so my bike can become a bit dangerous as my dad points out to me every time I go for a ride.
You guys have been getting some incredible waves lately in J-Bay, which we're terribly jealous about. Any days in particular stand out in your mind?
Well the Xcel Showdown was a day with incredible waves and that stands out as one of the highlights of the year, but for me the days that you least expect to have amazing surf are when I have my best sessions.
Dylan and his dad in Peru, where he earned a silver medal at the ISA World Junior Champs.
Who do you surf with mostly, and who pushes you to surf better?
I surf everywhere each day, so I am surfing with new people, but some mornings I train and I surf with my mates and old man who push me a lot. But I would have to say my coach Graham Hynes pushes me the most.
Lastly, who is the best surfer in the world?
KELLY SLATER definitely, a person who is the most consistent and has the most fun. He is the man no doubt. But my favorite surfer is Mick Fanning who trains non-stop, surfs incredibly smooth, lightning fast and when he puts on that contest vest his facial expressions indicates he means business!
Shot Dyl, go give 'em hell at World Games.
Thanks bru, will give it my best.
