Community . . . I am a surfer
AMV photography by Rachel Serangeli
She Surfs Zoe Benedetto
AGE: 7 | YEARS SURFING: 1 | HOMEBREAK: Publics Beach | SPONSORS: Roxy, Janga Wetsuits, Sun Bum, Surf Central Surf Shop, Sonic Surf Boards, and Fisheye Graphics | FAVORITE BOARD: 4’8’’ Sonic Grom Rocket
How I Got Started My mom has run a surf camp every summer since before I was born. I pretty much grew up on the beach, my mom said I used to take naps on the tip of her long board during camp. As I got older mom would put me on the paddleboard with her and at 5 I started to surf. I started catching my own waves and really surfing last summer at age 6, well I was almost 7. I learned at Stuart Public Beach. I’ve always surfed with my mom, Avery Ayedelotte, Aurda Williams and Maddison Malizia. They are all older and push me to be better. And they are really funny and fun to surf with. Being Well-Rounded I play competitive club travel soccer for FC Florida and it is so much fun and good training for surfing and I like to skate on my penny and draw! My biggest wave: New Smyrna Beach with Kara Brown… it went from being big like 6ft to being solid 8ft. We had just made it out to the lineup when a clean up set rolled through and nailed me. I got hit by 3 waves before I could get back on my board and ride in! It was scary, but I made it and now know I can handle bigger waves, just not like that for now!!! Last time I got hurt surfing: At my mom’s surf camp, it was the very first day, the first five minutes of camp and I was playing around with a few of the counselors and I split my chin open on a soft top board! I don’t know how, but I did and we were back at camp within 2 hours! Most important advice for competing: I always tell myself to just have fun! Sponsors: Roxy, Janga wetsuits, Sun Bum, Surf Central Surf Shop Sonic Surfboards and Fish eye Graphics Contests I’m proud of: This spring I won the 49th annual Ron Jon’s Easter Surf Fest girls 12-under. I was also the ESA treasure Coast Menehune Champion and the Gnarly Charley Winter series 10-under Girls champion with a first ever undefeated season! All-girls surf camps or co-ed? Co-ed because the boys push you to be better and I like beating them too! Current Quiver: 4’8” Sonic GromRocket is my favorite go-to-board! I also have a 4’8 Sonic wide nose GromRocket and a 5’0 Dumpster Diver by Channel Islands. People who inspire me: My mom, Tyler Wright, Lisa Andersen and Bethany Hamilton. Made Out of the Right Stuff You have to want to achieve your dream and that takes determination. Or being stubborn, sometimes that helps too! I want to go pro and be the World Champion…I want to be the women’s Kelly Slater! I’m 7, I’m a girl and I’m serious about turning pro at surfing, but I’m serious about having fun while I’m surfing.
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