Their names are Diran Zakarian and Emma Smith. One’s a natural foot and the other is a goofy. They’re both pretty.
The two also grabbed the premier division titles at this past weekend’s Billabong Junior Series at Long Beach, so we threw 10 questions their way to learn more about what makes them champs…
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WHAT SONG IS MOST FREQUENTLY SPINNING ON YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?
DIRAN: I dig listening to Flume, it gets me amped to surf!
EMMA: My iPod is always on shuffle, usually playing a lot of different music. I enjoy switchfoot, Alt-J, Ben Howard, Passenger, Jungle Giants, Skrillex and way too many more to list.
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IF YOU HAD TO START A BAND, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL IT?
EMMA: Hmmmm, I’ve never had to think about that due to the fact that I am pretty tone deaf. I’d want a name that’s short and unique, so I’d have to give it a lot of thought.
DIRAN: I would call it the ‘Bangers’ – because that’s all rock stars do on stage and in their free time.
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BEST SPOT YOU’VE EVER SURFED?
DIRAN: Probably this left in the mountains in Nicaragua that breaks on a slab and runs for days.
EMMA: It’s a tie between Reunion Island, Bali or Seals.
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WHAT BOARD WERE YOU RIDING TO GRAB THE WIN AT LONG BEACH?
EMMA: It’s called the ‘Vitesse’ by Thys Strydom at Rebel Surfboards, and it’s dimensions are 5’6″ x 18 1/2″ x 2 1/4″. It’s my beachbreak board, has a rounded squash tail, and is super fast and responsive.
DIRAN: Dutchie has been making my boards since I was five, and we have them pretty dialled in.
I rode a model called the “SLED”, which Dutchie made for me to take to the ISA World Junior Games earlier this year. It’s my go-to board for everything in the 2-6ft range.
He reckons he shortened the rail line and widened the plan shape, before adding a deep single concave between the feet to create its wide sweet spot. I love doing big airs, so Dutchie threw in some extra tail flip – which also helps with acceleration through turns.
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NEXT TRICK YOU’RE DETERMINED TO LAND?
EMMA: Airs. Even if they baby airs. (laughs)
DIRAN: I’ve been trying to land the Sushi Roll Nutsak Grab – it’s pretty difficult, but hopefully it will be the next one on the list that I land.
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WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS – ON LAND AND SEA?
EMMA: In the sea – I love competing, so while I’m still in the Pro Junior age group I’d like to travel and surf some events overseas.
On land – I have a passion for surfing, cooking and healthy living, so I’d love to use these three together somehow as a means to get involved with communities in rural areas – maybe by helping to introduce them to the hope that surfing brings.
DIRAN: To become rich on land and in the sea.
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A CHAMP MUST EAT, SO HOW ARE YOUR SKILLS IN THE KITCHEN?
DIRAN: I’m not sure if you know Gordon Ramsey? Well, ja, I’m pretty much his idol…
EMMA: I love cooking. I definitely believe food should be used as fuel, so I enjoy cooking and experimenting with healthy and tasty meals.
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WHAT’S RADDER – A FULLSUIT AND BOOTIES, OR BOARDIES AND WARM WATER WAX?
EMMA: Boardies and warm water wax by far.
DIRAN: Boardies and warm water wax, easily.
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WHEN YOU’RE NOT SURFING, YOU’RE DOING WHAT (mostly)?
DIRAN: Probably at some chick’s house eating all her food and getting pampered, or just cruising around the Beach Road on my Sector.
EMMA: I really enjoy being outdoors, so the only time I will be indoors is when I’m cooking. I can’t stay inside for more than a few hours. I love hanging out with some of the kids in our township and getting some groms stoked on surfing.
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FINISH THIS SENTENCE: Long Beach is…
EMMA: …a rippable wave with a proper seaweed shorey.
DIRAN: …sick, because it has banging lefts and birds on the beach.
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