Trevor Robbins is riding waves to new heights. The senior from Malibu High School won the Ventura Surfing Classic two weeks ago in the longboarding portion of the event. Robbins hopes his triumph there will propel him to success in his first-ever professional contest this Friday in Ventura at “WSA/WLA Longboard Open” at Seaside Park, hosted by the Western Surfing Association and the World Longboard Association.
“I want to see what I have to do to be a pro,” Robbins said. “Hopefully I will do really well.”
Born and raised in Malibu, Robbins, 17, has been surfing since he was five years old. He has been a member of the Malibu High School surf team since sixth grade.
His rapid growth as a premier surfer included winning back-to-back State Championships as part of the WSA in 2007 and 2008. With more than 50 surfers competing in his 14-and-under age bracket both years, Robbins conquered the difficult waves in Oceanside, California to win a state title as an eighth grader and then defend it as a ninth grader.
Robbins moved up in a big way at the “Call to the Wall” surfing event held earlier this summer at First Point at Surfrider Beach, claiming second place in a 21-and-under age group rife with talented surfers. Though standing at 5’8” and weighing only 120 lbs., Robbins isn’t afraid to mix it up in big surf.
“You are in God’s creation out in the water,” Robbins said. “Some days might be bad and some days might be good. But not every day is the same. Surfing is fun, exciting and scary at moments when the waves get real big. That’s why I do it. To paddle out and get that scare is part of the fun. It all pays off.”
Robbins is sponsored by Tim Ryan Surfboards and Drill Surf and Skate. He credits the two sponsors as a major reason why he has improved through the years and become an elite surfer.
Of course the biggest reason is hard work. Robbins surfs five days a week, spending from 30 minutes to eight hours a day in the water when needed. He trains at Leo Carrillo State Beach, County Line in Ventura, First Point and Zuma Beach. His exploits have taken him to Santa Cruz, Pismo Beach, San Diego and Hawaii.
However, he is not all-consumed with a career in professional surfing.
“I enjoy longboarding a lot,” Robbins said. “I just want to keep having fun and maybe go pro one day. But we will see how things go.”
For now, it’s on to the next challenge. The MHS surf team held tryouts recently and is preparing for its upcoming season, which runs from October through April. The Sharks will compete against 12 other high schools in five tournaments ranging from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara. Robbins’ parents, Elaine and Doug, coach the team with assistance from Michael Moss.
“He is a great all-around person, waterman, longboarder, shortboarder and team captain,” Moss said.
Robbins’ mother is proud that her son has maintained a 3.5 GPA at Malibu while balancing the long hours spent surfing in the ocean. But she is most proud of his character.
“He is a gentleman,” Elaine Robbins said. “Even in his contests, he’s well liked by the other contestants and people on the beach. Doug and I always get compliments wherever we go.”
In addition to surfing for Malibu, Robbins competes in the Scholastic Surf Series as a member of the WSA. Robbins took first place in 2010 as the best overall longboarder in the Channel section. Last year he finished in fifth for the season despite competing in only three of the five events. He is off to a solid start this year with his victory in the 18-and-under age group at the Ventura Classic.