His name says it all: Wise. When he first came on to the professional scene ten years ago he was this shit talking Californian kid who displayed no respect for tradition, elders or advice. He quickly gained enemies and almost got his ass beat more times that a Salvation Army drum. Pure punk rock. Slowly his ways and thoughts changed, so did his attitude towards small wave riding, something he totally dominated. He shifted his love to big waves, learned off watching the traditional big guns, the same people he poked fun of and today is actually a pretty strong base of knowledge, especially near sunset when he's had his favorite green bottled beverage. Wise cracker to Wise man gives us a few minutes of his time.

Sasaki: It's been just about ten years now since you first came over to Hawaii. What have you learned over this period of time?
Brian Wise: A lot, respect the ocean, learn to like waves that are perfect and learned to live life a little slower and happier.

KS: When you first came on to the scene you were dominating the amateur scene. Most of those waves were being held in small waves. Three years later after putting your mind to it you became a really competent big wave rider. How did you make such a difficult transition?
BW: Lots and lots of practice. Heavy training and practicing, telling yourself that this is the only way to do it. It pretty comes natural to people if they feel comfortable doing it, taking off on sizeable waves.

KS: Tell us what's it like to take off on a sizeable wave at Pipeline and get a huge tube and also what's it like eating shit on one of those?
BW: That can be kind of a depressing moment and in other ways you can feed off of it as a challenge. Tell yourself that you want to try harder to make the next one. Sometimes you get worked sometimes you don't. Waves can be five feet and it'll hurt you more than one that's fifteen feet. It kind of comes with luck of the draw and that, but when you eat it you need to feed of that and try to make the next one.

KS: How important is training for you, especially nowadays?
BW: It's been ten years now so training today is more important than it was before, it's harder to burn weight off and get motivated and to run that extra mile. Besides that it's persevering through the hard days and hopefully the next one will be a better one.

KS: Have you been competing at all since the trend has shifted to big wave events?
BW: Contests are really slow right now and it costs you just as much if not more money just to go to these places and that's only if you win first place, so I havent been competing much anymore. Ive been soul surfing, been going to Tahiti and stuff. I watched this years contest and I was kind of lucky not to enter as the waves were shitty and all. But Pipe, I will always enter it, especially since I live here now and I enjoy it. I think Im going to enter Pipe for another fifteen years.

KS: Hawaii is now where you call home, but what does it feel like when you go back to your original home of San Clemente?
BW: It's like going to Disneyland, you see all your friends, have a good time and everyday you have to do something new. It's almost like an extended vacation. In other ways you miss home when youre here in Hawaii but I've found over the last ten years that I miss Hawaii more than when Im in California. I decided to make a permanent change and be here.

KS: Speaking of missing things, we're going to sadly miss a few of our friends as we lost a few to accidents. What do you want to say to people out there.
BW: Yeah, I lost two very close friends of mine last year, maybe thats helped humble myself a little bit, but I think they're here today, watching the contest in their own way and they'll always be around. Take it easy people when you want to go somewhere, take your time, if you're late youre late, it's better than dying.

KS: When you first came on to the scene you were right on Mikes (Stewart) ass, he was the man at that time and still is. After that you went up and up with Tamega, you had your ups and downs with him too but now, there are a lot of kids trying to knock you off. How do you prevent that from happening?
BW: As long as I stay strong and have my drive I think I can do pretty much what I want to do and be where I want to be on a wave. Just have to stay positive and focused.

KS: What do you think is wrong with bodyboarding today?
BW: We had a phase over the last four-years where a lot of guys sold out and really hurt us, doing stupid things that made all of us look stupid. The surf industry has us right where they want us and they're not going to help us at all. We buy their shorts and shirts but they dont feed us anything in return. I think that's whats wrong as surfers have us where they want us and also guys like you who can make a difference not being able to use your talents where it matters because of politics. They've been using Bodyboarding Magazine for fifteen years now to make us look dumb, they put people in there that they can tell what to do and they do it. People that don't even bodyboard are telling us what to do and then bodyboarders are selling out and acting like puppets and doing things just to make that extra dollar. As long as it stays that way we'll be in trouble, fuck it, Im over the politics. Right now, I'm here to compete.

KS: Changing the subject, here's a hard one and I'm going to put you right on the spot. If you could choose, what would you prefer having; one super perfect wave at Pipe or a whole months supply of Steinlager?
BW: Ahh, right now, a months worth of Steinlager because next month I can get that perfect wave at Pipe when everyone goes home.

KS: So you really enjoy yourself here during pre and post season.
BW: I enjoy the whole thing. I look forward to being by myself in the pre season and also once peoples go home. During the heavy season you just take it as it comes. The world's getting more populated and there's nothing you can do about it, just live your life and be happy.

KS: Do you feel as if youre still progressing in your riding?
BW: Yeah, I feel like Im learning to do longer and harder turns, looking cleaner and stuff. As far as tricks go, Im not it to it as much. I like my balls and I like my chest muscles and ribs so I'm pretty much over the launching air stuff. Drawing lines and knowing what the wave will do is what Im learning more of.

KS: Who influenced you to have the style that you have today?
BW: Certainly a combination of things, can't say one thing or the other but I grew up in a nice town where all the top pros went so I got to see them and I watched a lot of the old Budweiser Tour on tv, I had Mike in my mind for competition, Pat (Caldwell) really helped me out for style, Jay Reale for personality, I traveled with you a lot and that helped me out, especially here. A combination of those guys helped me out.

KS: I noticed you didnt say Cameron PAB Steele.
BW: Oh, Flapper!! Flappers cool! He actually taught me something way back in the day; When you pull in, you hold on to your board, never bail, its easier that way, you come up faster. Thats what he said. Cameron helped me out a lot in the industry, showing me what's up, what to say, when to say it. But for riding I never watched Cameron because he sucks.

KS: Any closing words?
BW: Hell no!