Gavin Pellkofer. Photo: Bob Pellkofer
By Andrea Swyane
Gavin Pellkofer, 14, has bodyboarded for the Vista Del Mar Middle School surf team for two years.We met up with him to talk about his athletic and academic plans as he looks forward to starting high school next year:
Dana Point Times: Why bodyboarding?
Gavin Pellkofer: I feel like I’m a natural at it. I’ve tried a lot of sports and bodyboarding just seems to fit.
DPT: Do you do any other board sports?
GP: I get out there on a longboard every once in a while and I also like downhill skateboarding.
DPT: What are your plans for bodyboarding?
GP: I’d like to go pro someday and travel around the world. Right now my friends and I are sponsored by Madrid Bodyboards. The owner, Tom Prince, has supported us throughout our journey so far. We really appreciate it.
DPT: You mention your friends. How important are they to your bodyboarding?
Gavin Pellkofer. Photo: Andrea Swayne
GP: We push each other to progress and without the team I wouldn’t be where I am now. It’s really important to me to have friends who share the same passion for my sport. It’s not just about pushing each other and preparing for contests. We have a lot of fun too.
DPT:Favorite surf breaks?
GP: Gravels at Salt Creek, The Wedge at Newport, La Jolla Shores and T Street.
DPT: How are your grades in school?
GP: I maintained a 3.85 GPA and earned only ‘A’s and ‘B’s throughout middle school.
DPT: Are you looking forward to high school?
GP: I am. I will either join AVID—it’s a college prep program—or the surf team. I’ve heard great things about AVID from past students. As a freshman I have to choose one or the other because of zero and first period scheduling. School is really important to me because I really want to get into a great college and succeed in life but my bodyboarding goals are important too. I might have to take a year off of competing and I’m OK with that.
DPT: What is the best thing about bodyboarding?
GP: Being out in the water is really good enough for me but riding waves and getting air is really exciting.
DPT: What else do you enjoy in your spare time?
GP: I like hanging out with friends, hanging out with my older sister and bowling.