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Logan Radd: Surfing to new levels
Credit: @angelocorderophoto

Logan Radd: Surfing to new levels

INDIALANTIC, Fla. — The beach is where many teens living on the Space Coast meet up with friends. It is a place out in the open air with the smell of saltwater and sunblock. One of the popular activities at the area’s beaches is surfing. On days with decent size waves, you will see many surfers of all ages out in the ocean trying to catch the good ones. One of those is 15-year-old, Logan Radd.

Radd’s older brother, Bailey, and his father, Steve, both surf and at the age of five Logan began surfing and also found an interest in skateboarding. He was a natural at both and began placing in competitions as he grew older. Radd enjoyed both sports in his younger years but suffered a bad injury while skating when he was eight. He realized at that time surfing was his passion and retired from tearing it up at the skate parks.  He then shifted his focus to the waves and surfing and hasn’t looked back.

The homeschooled student has traveled to surf competitions in California, Costa Rica, the Outer Banks, and Puerto Rico. He says, “Puerto Rico is definitely my favorite spot. It’s very warm and the waves are pumping and I also like the vibe. I would love to live there one day; it is my favorite spot to surf!”

Radd has seen sharks out in the water during a heat and had to get out until they were gone. Almost any surfer will tell you they have seen sharks while out on the water. Sometimes the surfer will leave the water or pray that the shark goes away. Logan is living proof of how dangerous sharks can be. In 2019 at the age of 13, one bit Radd’s heel twice requiring 19 stitches. He didn’t let this bring him down or keep him from the water. Three weeks later he was back out training and four months later, he won the 2020 opener of the Toyota USA Surfing Prime series at Sebastian Inlet, winning his under-14 division.

Additionally, he is also excited when he is in competition with some of his favorite surfers. Maintaining the focus can be hard when the adrenaline is pumping, but he always gives his best and always believes in winning fairly. Radd is the kind of competitor and young athlete that works hard, gives 100%, and plays by the rules and wants others to do the same. However, he realizes some surfers will do whatever it takes to win, even if it is dishonest. These are life lessons he is learning that happen outside of the sport, too.

Competitions are tough and there is a lot that goes into preparing for one. A week before, he prepares his body with good food. He tries out a lot of his boards to see which ones will be best for the competition and the waves he may face. Focusing on a positive mindset and outlook is important to him as well the week before. One thing he does is watch the waves and envisions himself on the best waves there are. Lastly, Radd says, “I pray to God that I have prepared myself the best I can, I believe in myself, and trust my hard work! I’m so grateful to everyone who has helped me get ready for each competition.”

There are a lot of great athletes in the surfing world. One of those he looks up to is Griffin Colapinto, a 22-year-old from California. Radd loves, “his style and heat strategy. Colapinto likes to soak up a lot of knowledge from his coach before heats and does this each time.”

Being out on the water and practicing on the waves can help one become better in this sport. However, having a coach will take you even higher.Logan speaks very highly of Corey Howell, a pro surfer sponsored by Ron Jon’s, who coaches him. “He always makes the grind that never stops!”, stated Radd. “He’s always telling me to get better and always tells me I can get better every day. I’ve known him a long time and I’m honored he’s back in my town and I’m able to have the opportunity to work with him one on one! He’s so freaking cool!” Radd also credits Asher Nolan, one of his current coaches and his first coach, 2012 East Coast Surfing Hall of Famer and Icon John Holeman.

Radd has made a name for himself in the surfing community. He is grateful for his sponsors, family, and friends who believe in him. His goal in surfing is to make the pro surf tour one day. This is the top echelon of the surfing world and only the top 34 in the world make it. His surfboard sponsor is Gordzilla Surfboards. He likes his 5’9½ Green Machine epoxy board for the East Coast competitions and his Pinkie Swear 5’10 Poly for any big waves. Radd says, “Gordo (of Gordzilla Surfboards) has me dialed in! I don’t ask him what to build me. I just say, I’m ready for you to build me one and they are always perfect!” In addition to Gordzilla, he is sponsored by Hurley, Igloo, Raw Elements, MTB Surf Emporium, and Freestyle Watches, Surf Dojo and Monster Energy Drinks. He is followed by the QS series, the World Surf League (WSL) and USA surfing Prime coached by Olympic Coach, Brett Simpson.

In 2021 Logan earned 3 East Coast titles in Junior Men, Open Shortboard and U16 at Easterns in Nags Head, NC. He also was awarded the highest scoring wave of the event which was a 9.77. He also received the coveted Iron Man award for winning every heat he surfed. After returning home he competed in the Tommy Tant in Flagler taking the win in U18 and Open Mens and got 2nd in the Pro division.

Logan trained in Costa Rica during the month of January preparing for the start of the USA surfing Prime series. He is training under Branden Roberts at Surf Dojo where he trains mentally and physically. This includes surfing, Animal Flow which is a sort of yoga/martial art form of movement created for surfers, and also a huge concrete surf flow skate ramp designed for surfers. “This place is amazing!”, remarked Logan. “It’s a haven! Branden takes such good care of me, the food is amazing, the atmosphere is amazing, and Branden is amazing! It’s definitely my home away from home and the best whole body and mind training ever!”

He started USA surfing Prime with his coach Brett Simpson the last week in January and finished 3rd in the U16 and U18 divisions during the surfing competition held the weekend of January 29-30 at Paradise Beach Park and had the highest scoring waves in both. The following weekend Logan and longtime friends, Riley Kralik, Curren Maxson, and Brenden Russell enjoyed some friendly competition at the Villon Locals Only Surf fest at Pelican Beach Park in Satellite Beach where Logan finished 1st in the Juniors division. He also competed in the Mens Pro division and made it to the semifinal round where he was a wave off of making the final.  Be on the lookout for him to continue excelling in the sport. We know that Logan has the heart and soul to make it to the top!

You can check out Logan’s recent promo video @Logan.Radd on Instagram. It’s awesome!

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.