Matt Becker

Age: 16

Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California

Home: Santa Barbara, California

What's your favorite thing about where you live now?

The awesome Mexican food and good vibes.

What does the ocean mean to you?

To me the ocean is an outlet, a place to deal with issues and make hard decisions, and a playground.

Who did you look up to as a kid?

I looked up to my dad and all his gnarly fisherman friends and all the local chargers with black wetsuits and clear boards. Neon isn't too popular in Santa Barbara ahahah.

What kind of music is on your iPod?

I listen to lots of reggae, some rap here and there, old school rock, and a little punk.

What's your favorite restaurant?

It's a tossup between Lily's Tacos or El Taqueria el Bajio.

What's your favorite surf spot?

Rincon or East Point

What's your favorite movie

Rock N Rolla

What goals have you set for yourself for next year?

To travel more and really try to make a career/name for myself in the sport of Stand Up Paddling. That and run into enough cash to buy a car.

What does your training regiment look like?

I paddleboard about twice a week, paddle my lay down paddleboard once a week, and surf whether it be on the Stand Up board, long, or shortboard.

Was your family into your sport before you?

My dad and uncle have been surfing since they were little and have been at it ever since.

If you could be any superhero which one would it be and why?

I would be batman because he has lots of money/gadgets and is always surrounded by hot girls.

What is your favorite toy besides your surfboard?

My snowboard by far.

What words of encouragement would you give to a kid?

Surf for the love of surfing, not to be a pro-surfer. If you love what you do enough you can always find a way to make a career out of it. This applies to all sports I think and it's really helped me out.

What's the smartest thing you have ever done?

Quitting skateboarding or taking up my uncles invitation to go stand up paddling one afternoon a few years ago.

What was the last concert you went too?

The free concert in Isla Vista. It was called The Extravaganza I think.

Do you consider golf a sport?

I don't consider golf a sport because it takes no physical strength or endurance. Just like poker or pool. But it is fun to whack a little white ball around and drive to golf carts down the greens.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Rusty and Greg Long because they charge huge waves and don't talk and brag about it.

What's the one thing that could make the world a better place?

Getting rid of mosquitoes.

If you could go SUPing anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

The Nile, cause how cool would it be to say you paddled down the Nile river?

What do you love about Stand Up Paddling?

It elongates my surf sessions because it takes so much less energy when the surf's smaller. But when surf is bigger it's so much more of a challenge. And you have a really good view of everything whether you're cruising down some cool river or next to a huge iceberg.