Reignition

Interview by Casey Butler

Kekoa Bacalso know what it’s like to win, but more importantly, he also knows what it’s like to lose. With a newfound fire burning inside of him, the one-time World Tour Rookie of the Year turned self-sponsored ’QS warrior has adjusted his sights, altered his perspectives, and found solid footing and is orienteering himself for a comeback.  

It’s been said that the most spectacular moments in surfing are often paired with the purest drive. By pure, I don’t mean hyper concentrated; I mean untainted, lighthearted aspiration, perspective, for-the-love-of-the-game type of stuff. And if you’re looking for an unfiltered surfer, look no further than Kekoa Bacalso.

Know by his friends as “BAM,” Bacalso has viewed the world of professional surfing from every vantage point imaginable. He’s cut his teeth in the NSSA and pro junior circuit as a grom, did his time in the trenches of the ‘QS, tasted the sweet life of the World Tour, and has stomached the bitter pill of losing a sponsor. But recently, with a little help from some old friends and a whole mess of passion, the sun began to shine on BAM once again.

On a whim, with good friend Brian Toth picking up the airline bill, Kekoa jumped the pond from Oahu to Puerto Rico. While there, he won a major ‘QS event, pocketed $11,000, and rekindled a competitive fire that had been smoldering since he fell of the  World Tour in 2010. As we mentioned, Kekoa’s seen it all. But after a stint as a valet parker, after a not-so-glamorous bank account, after losing some valuable sponsorship, after being named ASP Rookie of the Year, after falling off the Tour, at the tender age of 26 BAM is back.

Freesurf: Tell me about your win in Puerto Rico.

Kekoa Bacalso: It was the highlight of my year by a mile. The waves were just amazing that week. I had Brian Toth helping me with the spots where I should line up, stuff like than, and fell into a really good rhythm the entire contest.

FSM: What was your strategy going into the comp?

KB: I honestly had no strategy. My intentions going to Puerto Rico were to shoot photos and have a good time. I got really lucky and went through the motions and got the big win.

FSM: Did the win feel redemptive at all?

KB: Big time. It felt so good to surf in a heat again, especially in a man-on-man heat.  It definitely put a new flame in me and made me believe that I can run with the best again.

FSM: So where’d you get the nickname “BAM?”

KB: Shibats [Jason Shibata] gave it to me as a young grom. People think it’s a name after The Flintstones, but it stands for “Bad Ass Motherf—ker.” I guess it just stuck to me from when I was a kid through our surf crew.

FSM: So what does a grom have to do to earn a nickname like that?

KB: Just being the youngest kid out of our group, I didn’t take any grief from anyone. I always drove to be as good as the older kids.  I loved being a part of a big upset.

FSM: Did you feel kind of abandoned by Rip Curl when they pulled their sponsorship, or like they could have given you more time and/or support?

KB: Yeah, it definitely left a sour taste in my mouth when that all went down.  It sucked and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but that situation made me stronger and forced me to grow up a lot. I’m just grateful for what I do have these days.

FSM: In which ways did it force you to grow up?

KB: Big paychecks didn’t come to me on a silver platter anymore. I wasn’t going to sit around and feel sorry for myself and wait for something miraculous to happen. I just lived by the saying, “It’s not about how far you fall. It’s about how you come back."

FSM: So we heard that you were working as a valet to make ends meet.

KB: No, I got fired. I ended up banging a car during work. I’ll stick to surfing.

FSM: What kind of car did you bang up?

KB: A mental Lexus! It was something like $3,000 in damages. Boy, oh boy, braddah was pissed off!

FSM: What kind of car do you drive?

KB: Toyota Tacoma.

FSM: Had you ever had a job like that before, or did you mostly concentrate on making the Tour before 2009?

KB: That was the first 9-to-5 kind of job I’ve ever had. My income was at zero and I wasn’t going to wait around for an income to come to me. It was actually fun. I drove some cars that looked like space ships.

FSM: What’s it like doing the WQS again?  How is it different than the World Tour?

KB: The WQS is harder than ever. Lots of new faces and the level of surfing has been so high. All in all, there are some hungry guys on that tour and it’s a dog-eat-dog world. The World Tour is the same deal.

FSM: It seems like you’ve got an amazing and supportive group of friends who’ll do things like fly you to Puerto Rico.

KB: Yeah, my crew of friends are amazing, like that situation with Brian [Toth]. Joel Centeio and Sean Moody have been helping me out by putting clothes on my body again. Jason Shibata and Freddy P. gave me wetsuits. The list goes on and I’m very blessed to have some badass friends.

FSM: What did Toth say about your win? Did he expect it?

KB: He was the first guy to greet me when I walked out of the water after the final. His friends and family were nothing but supportive of me while I was down in PR. He definitely wanted to win, but when he lost in the quarters, he was my number-one cheerleader.

FSM: Did he make you reimburse him for the airfare?

KB: No, he flew me there on miles. But I would have. He wouldn’t take my money, so I told him I’d buy him a sick dishwasher for his brand new house.

FSM: What’s got you psyched for the Triple Crown this year?

KB: Being home in front of friends and family. Just getting a chance to ride a board over 6 feet in some real waves during the winter. Hopefully we get a big turnout and get some big west swells.

FSM: What do you think about Carissa’s wildcard?

KB: She’s going to break some hearts! Hopefully not mine. She’s been surfing better than ever though.

FSM: What else are you working on at the moment?

KB: Just trying to stay busy and productive. Working on a couple video clips. Shooting here and there when the waves are good, hopefully getting in the magazines and pulling in a couple big barrels this winter, staying fit, and just working on new equipment.

FSM: What kind of new equipment have you been checking out?

KB: I’ve been working on a bunch of different fins for certain shortboards. I lost some weight, so now I have to tweak out some dimensions and try out some new boards.

FSM: What are your goals right now?

KB: Stay positive and keep my chin up. Have a good winter and show the world I still have what it takes to be among the best.

FSM: What’s the best way for us to keep up Kekoa Bacalso?

KB: Follow me on Twitter @kekoabacalso. I post up day-to-day stuff and pictures of myself.

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