Local Surfer Wins ‘Kahuna Award’ in Puerto Rico

JUPITER, FL – March 6, 2017 –Jupiter-based veteran surfer Jorge Bezold has ridden waves of all kinds. From the giant water walls of Pico Alto to the longest wave in the world in Chicama, Peru to the Upper & Lower Trestles and Salt Creek on the West Coast of California, Jorge has found himself in all kinds of breaks and charged them all with equal fervor. When he’s home, Bezold can be found by the Juno Pier on any day that waves are present. He classifies himself as a surfer and not a competitor, clarifying that “I surf for the love of the sport and the freedom that nature provides. Free surfing is the essence.”

Recently, Bezold made his way down to the Island of Enchantment – Puerto Rico – to surf in the fourth-installment of Legend Surf Classic contest, which took place on the Northwest coast of Rincón. During the contest, Bezold qualified to the next heat round after riding only one wave – the first one in the set. Bezold describes the experience: “I was waiting for the siren to go off to start my heat, and all of a sudden this perfect, solid eight-foot wave rises in front of me. It was a dream wave, so irresistible that I just went for it. I got lucky.” According to Bezold, he broke a cardinal rule of competition, but he had 20 minutes in the set to make up for it. In the end, he got the highest score in the heat. He adds, “I’m a surfer by conviction and I really do not give much thought about first place… but that wave was a winner in my book.”

Bezold took home the award for honorable second place in the Kahuna 56 to 65 on short board. He confirms that he will be going back to Rincón for next year’s contest and, in addition to the short board round, he will further show off his surfing chops by competing in the longboarding portion of the contest.