Tommy finding some shade… All photos by Mike Incitti.
Name
Tom Petriken
Age
23
Hometown
Point Pleasant Boro, NJ
Nickname
Tommy
Shop Sponsor
Crew
You know who you are.
Strongest Maneuver
I’m getting better at switch barrel riding. Try it sometime; it makes an average day seem huge!
Best day surfing
Hurricane Ike delivered the best waves I’ve ever seen at home. Offshore winds and tubes from sunrise to sunset!
Best trip
Surfed some of the longest waves of my life in Mexico last year! The food there is delicious. I’m still dreaming about shrimp quesadillas and endless point breaks!
Local hero
Bruce Springsteen
First board
5’6" Linden swallow tail
Where it come from?
Santa
Not switch barrel riding, but still damn impressive.
When did you start surfing?
When I was 7 years old. My parents taught me how to surf.
What’s the worst injury you’ve gotten from surfing?
A few years ago, I sprained my ankle on a chilly January day. I landed an air on the blade of my foot and heard a pop. My feet were so numb; I didn’t know anything was wrong. Then I woke up for a glass of water at 3 am and couldn’t walk. First time with crutches was humbling!
What’s your favorite video?
New Emissions of Light and Sound and Modern Collective.
Recommended reading
Everything by Hunter S. Thompson, Rhonda Byrne, or Jon Krakauer.
Favorite music
I enjoy listening to Led Zeppelin, The Doors and Jimi Hendrix. Some of my favorite local sounds are Ruby the Hatchet and Atlantic, Atlantic.
Best local hangout
The Castle
Best local food
My girlfriend’s cooking!
Best local spot for skating
SHH! It’s a secret.
Best local shop
Tommy on rail.
Wheels
Big Red, my 1971 Volkswagen Bus
Favorite quote
"The question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or the others crazy?" – Albert Einstein
Your strongest virtue
Determination
Your worst habit
Leaving waves to find waves.
What do you think is the most overrated?
Contests
What do you think is the most underrated?
Mustaches
Want to drop any names?
Hi Mom!
Breaking the law
Sneaking on the beach in the summer without a badge.
Nothing like Jersey… Tommy getting ready to blast the roof off!
Biggest fear/phobia
Arachnophobia, I hate spiders!
Lesson learned the hard way
Paddling in at the wrong spot in Puerto Rico. Yup, I walked right through an urchin bed.
Tell us about your secret other life
I like to build igloos when there’s snow.
Give credit where it is due
Thanks to my family and friends for their support over the years. Also to my sponsors, photographers and everyone that has helped me get where I am today.
If you could pick a super power…
I want to breathe underwater like Aquaman
If I had one wish…
No flat spells please!
If I could do one thing over again…
I wouldn’t change a thing.
Why do you go to ActionSportsNow.com?
To see where I can get the best gear on the net!
Feel free to drop some links here to your site, your sponsor, or other cool stuff online.
