DG: What has beating your fellow Kauaians Bruce (Snapper Rocks) and Andy (J-Bay) and just recently beating Taylor Knox (Trestles), who is also an ASP legend, done for your confi dence?

Roy: With Andy, it was pretty bad J-Bay. The waves were crappy and basically my strategy was a little better than his. So it wasn’t that climactic, but it felt good to make a heat because I was losing a lot and I was really frustrated. I needed that win because my morale was really low. With Bruce it was at Snapper in my fi rst heat on the WCT, and I

was incredibly nervous. I was falling a lot out there. But there were a lot of waves coming in and it was the last 17 seconds and I needed at least a 7.1. I got a good wave and surfed the best I could. I felt really shaky and was like, “What’s up with this? But I was able to put together a good wave and I got the score. It’s kind of weird surfi ng against your friends and heroes, but they are trying to wax me just the same. It’s just a heat and when you come in you’re still friends. With Taylor it was a good win because it was pretty good Lowers, and I felt way more confident in my ability. I told myself that I should be here on the WCT. So my attitude was much better. I got some good waves and I didn’t feel stressed and I had a good time just trying to surf as well as I could, and I know that’s the difference. Its kind of cliché to say, but you have to believe in yourself or it’s never going to happen. I feel that now, and it took a while and some readjustment, but confidence is key. Look at Bobby Martinez. He is surfing really well and came out of the gates with a good result and his confidence is way up. He just looks so positive in his surfing.

DG: How important is it getting through that first heat on the WCT?

Roy: Oh, God. It is so important. Some guys don’t think so and they get fi red up for the losers’ bracket. For me I prefer to make it through. It is a big difference getting a 17th. It’s 200 points, and that is a lot, plus you’re exempt from the horrible dirty-turd. Which is a 33rd in the event. It’s a very shameful thing but everyone gets them. The trick is not to have too many.

DG: How is the WQS grind along with doing the ’CT? Give us a good description of life on the road.

Roy: It’s been a little hard. I have been lucky to bring my girlfriend and to have her with me has been helpful. But because I do both tours, my life is on the road constantly traveling and that can be draining. It can be a blur. Recently I went to Japan for a WQS event, then I went South Africa for two six-stars, then back to Cali for the US Open, then over to Europe for more WQS events. And then I head to Brazil, then Santa Cruz for the Coldwater Classic, then to Hawai‘i for the fi nal leg of the WQS tour. That’s just the WQS. Then you have to add all 11 eleven WCT events—which is my main focus—to the schedule, and it can get pretty crazy. Basically, I am rarely home.

DG: Do you enjoy being on the road and are you used to it?

Roy: I don’t think you ever get used to it. It’s not that normal of an experience. But it is an incredible experience at the same time and I know that I am really fortunate to be able to surf for a living. Even though the traveling can be a grind, I look at what other people have to do to earn money and it’s heavy. So I want to be able to do this as long as I can. The losing part is probably the hardest to take. When you do WQS events you usually make a few rounds—there are four guys and you can get a second and advance. You can get into a rhythm much more easily. On the WCT you have to come out with all guns blazing and if you don’t, you’re sent on your way packing your bags. So much of your focus in life is making that 20-minute heat. You have to train yourself to enjoy your surroundings because if you don’t, you might not like it and get a little jaded. Seeing other walks of life and different cultures is an eye-opener, too. The world is a big place and there is a lot going on, so that is amazing to see it fi rsthand. There are so many places with the most unreal set-ups, perfect waves and interesting people. It’s weird when you go to a little village in some remote area and life seems to be so simple for them. Even though they might be poor, they still have smiles on their faces. That’s pretty cool.

DG: What advice would you give to the groms who want be a pro surfer?

Roy: I would say first off, have fun and enjoy yourself and surfing. Don’t take it so seriously that you become a freak. If you’re having fun you will surf better, so don’t even stress out or worry about losing. Go out there do your best, enjoy your friends, and experience life and enjoy surfing.