Interview with Kaitlin Maguire

Kaitlin Maguire

Who is Miss Maguire ;)  A surfer, a futur Doctor in Physical Therapy? Maybe both? Let's discover Kaitlin !

Where did I grow up?

Del Mar, California

How did you get involved with surfing?

When I was a young child I was always body boarding and bodying surfing in Kauai in the summers. My dad built a house there when I was born and we went every summer, so I got use to playing in bigger surf. One day my brother wanted to start surfing and of course I wanted to do everything like my big bro so I tried surfing as well. My brother would always tell me to paddle for big waves and I would go straight over the falls, ultimately crashing and burning. Then one day it just started to click. Our neighbors “The Harris” family got me signed up for the Middle School Surf Team and Oceanside Longboard Club to start competitions. Growing up competition was my second nature so I fell in love with the sport immediately.

You are going to compete in china at the WSL World Championships in December, what kind of training does it take?

To prepare for China I have been surfing almost every day trying to refine my surfing going backside. You never know what kind of surf/swell there will be during that time of the year, therefore I’ve been practicing on various types of boards for preparation. The wave is a long left point break which means you have to be conditioned. I’ve been taking Barre classes which is a isometric workout infused with Pilates/Ballet to work on my balance and core strength. Also, I’ve been doing distance workouts to build up my endurance for the long paddle.

When you are in the middle of all the action in the ocean, how do you focus on the moment?

When I am competing I block out all the excessive noise and just focus on surfing to the best of my abilities while having fun of course. I try not to worry about what my competitor is doing in the heat. Who was the first surfer that you found inspiring? -I think the first surfer I found inspiring what CJ Nelson and Jen Smith, they both were tough competitors and always were challenging themselves to improve their skills. I find handwork inspiring.

When you are not surfing, what are you into?

At the moment I am completing my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine. Normally my free time is occupied with studying new material. When school isn’t super intense I enjoy skateboarding, snowboarding, and messing around with graphic design on my computer. Life on the west coast i…. unbelievable especially in Northern San Diego. There are multiple surf break that provide such a variety, I feel truly blessed to have ground up in such a beautiful place.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years I hope to own a Sports Physical Therapy clinic that provides training to elite surfers within the community. Also, I would like to still be traveling the world and surfing new breaks with friends. Practical living the dream in my eyes!

Aloha, Kaitlin Maguire