Naoshi Grady

Every once in a while traveling pros will return from a trip somewhere and claim that they just discovered the future world champion. While guys who grew up with Naoshi Grady always knew of his talent, not many people outside of his home of Kauai heard of him until Mike Stewart went over to visit and were introduced to the young Hawaiian. Stewart pumped up the boys with Grady stories ad everyone wanted to see exactly what he was talking about. Two years ago, the day Grady was scheduled to compete at Pipeline he broke his elbow in a skateboarding accident, which cancelled his breakthrough appearance. Last year it looked like he would finally get his chance to finally display his talents but fell short as wave conditions never suited his style. He and many others are hoping for big waves this year so he can finally prove what everyone has been talking about.

Sasaki: Naoshi, it's been two years now, have you been injury free?
Grady: Yes, no skateboards this year. Staying far away from those death machines.

KS: Do you compete at home? (Kauai)
OG: No, no contests for me, mainly free surfing.

KS: So, is Mikes contest the only one you compete in?
OG: Almost, I competed at the Skins contest in Tahiti and that's it. Add this one and that makes two for the year.

KS: Why not, you're pretty damned good, your level of skills are way up there?
OG: I think if I had more funds I would, but right now it's a little hard to travel on what I earn. I need to win this contest to prove my worth. I think I need to try harder in contests.

KS: There's always been a pretty good group of riders that have come out of Kauai. What's it like, is it really competitive?
OG: Right now I don't really ride with bodyboarders, mainly surfers but in general it's not competitive.

KS: Is coming to Oahu sort of a culture shock for you, especially in the high season as I imagine there has to be many uncrowded breaks at home?
OG: Yup and there's way too many people here and I cannot handle it. I just take off when it's crowded, a lot of times, as they're not from here. It's a battle trying to get waves. It is a culture shock.

KS: Have you seen anyone ripping this year?
OG: Mitch Rawlins and a lot of Aussies. Bud Miyamoto and Vaj (Lederer) and Kelley (Hunt), plus some random people that I know.

KS: What got you into bodyboarding in the first place?
OG: Growing up and around the beach, I picked one up and stuck with it. I started shortboarding, then longboarding and finally bodyboarding. After all that I decided to stay with bodyboarding. I still shortboard too when I can.

KS: How did you catch the attention of Mike Stewart as he sponsors you these days?
OG; I think its when he came to Kauai with Harry Antipala I surfed with him a couple times and he liked what he saw. Hes still interested in me so that's nice.

KS: Have you traveled much, like to California and how important is it for you to represent Hawaii?
OG; Yeah, to California like four years ago for the US Championships in Oceanside. It's super important to represent, as I need to make a stand for Hawaiis people. It's not a great answer but thats all I can say. I'm so sorry that I suck at interviews. Hahahaha. Don't put that one in.

KS: Two years ago an accident, last year bad conditions, what do you expect out of yourself this year?
OG; Well if the waves are 8-10 feet then I expect to do exactly what I see myself capable of doing. To do the things I see in my head and thats a good thing.

KS: Have you had the chance to train with Mitch and the boys?
OG: No, I just got here a few days ago but Ive been riding a lot with some of the guys back home on Kauai. Been riding my mountain bike and swimming too and that helps out a lot.

KS: Now you're staying at my house, what was it like at Chris Wons house?
OG; Mayhem, Chess every night even if I don't play it and Chris is cool. Hahahahah. He's a Tongan that eats bananas everyday.

KS: Do you look up to anyone in bodyboarding?
OG: Oh yeah, Mike, because hes the smoothest. Theres some underground guys at home that push me; Henry Panui and the boys that got me into it. Sorry for all the lame answers. I suck at these things.