Jonah Shaffer
/
Canada
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Date of birth:
1989.09.24
Hometown:
Tavira, Portugal
Hobbies:
Boxing, tennis, music, surfing
Favourite athletes:
Dane Reynolds
BIO
Our mother is half Norwegian and half Danish, she came to Portugal in her late twenties, searching for the sunshine, where she met our father who is half French 1\4 Egyptian and 1\4 New Guinea, who was also traveling in the south of Portugal, then fell in love and decided to raise their kids abroad in the sunny Portugal!
We were born in Norway but raised in Portugal. We talk Portuguese – English – French – Spanish – Norwegian and some Arabic.
I started surfing at the age of 13…at 14 we did our first local competition and Luca got 1st and me 2nd, from there on we started to get some little sponsors, but it was at the age of 16 when we got ourselves our real sponsor contract with O’Neill after winning a few of the national pro-junior events where the main sponsor was O’Neill!
Our sponsorship lasted 8 years!
Now we are currently seeking for new ones…
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
Well the high climax for every surfer is to do what you love, which is surfing to get barreled, and getting paid for it! Unfortunately we lost our big sponsor last year, still searching for one! So basically live off surfing, cause it’s such a wonderful lifestyle! And get barreled!
What would be your greatest achievement?
Probably getting sponsored with O’Neill during the last 8 years, then finishing 2nd in a world pro-junior back in 2009, if I’m not mistaken that took place in Guincho Portugal, in that same event in the semi-finals men-on-men was against my twin brother! So we knew one of us was in the final! That was a very special day!
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
It’s one of the best jobs you can ever have, you travel the world to surf! But yes there are some difficulties, when traveling so long, you don’t see your family and friends so much…that’s probably the toughest thing! But what’s enjoyment without a little pain!
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
Getting barreled! and surfing just with our friends and nobody else!
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
Well I have a twin brother, so I’m never alone! ehehehe But I do some boxing and stretching to better my technique!
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
When I’m surfing with my twin, we also push each other to the limit in the positive kind of way, he does a turn on my face and I wanna do that much bigger! Also we film each other and coach each other! Compare waves, see what we could have done better, you know all of that…
What are you most nervous about when competing?
Yes definitely, I’m nervous when I compete! But sometimes it goes the other way too ;) It’s good stress, it makes you alert and aware! Of course the thing you are most nervous about is losing!!
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
Our Mama for sure!!!Cause she’s our mum, and she really supports us in every kinda way!
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
Always go with your first thought! (Your mind is like a parachute, it does not work unless it’s open) FZ
What are your future plans?
Right now we are seeking for sponsorship, to see if we can live the dream again, and just travel to the unknown and surf, meet people, different cultures and experiences…
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Just keep on surfing, cause life sure is better on board-shorts ;) Live your dreams!
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