Here’s A Fabulous Rip Clip From An Unsponsored Maui Surfer You May Have Heard Of

The thing about Maui, it’s so fucking hard to rise above. There’s so much underground talent around the island that it’s a rare few that actually graduate to the global stage. Ian Gentil was supposed to be one of them, but it hasn’t really panned out.

Matt Meola, Albee Layer, Kai Lenny and Ian Walsh would be exceptions rather than the rule. For an idea of how challenging it is to legitimately elevate to the next level look no further than Gentil and his performance in his latest YouTube drop. Simply put, dude shreds. Always has. 

From the youngest of ages he had all the advantages—sponsor support, great boards, proper guidance, a good family, access to all kinds of different waves—and his talent blossomed. In the air, on rail, in the barrel, his style and technique were honed. 

And yet, the competitive results lagged, and here he is with nary a sticker to be seen on his board. Surfing for surfing’s sake these days, it’s still amazing to think that somebody with so much talent could be relegated to status of “local ripper.” But there’s a lot of world-class guys around the island that carry that monicker. There’s absolutely no shame in it, because in their hearts the Maui boys have always known where they stand. Just ask Clay Marzo or Granger Larson.

Winter is here almost here, and winter in Hawaii brings hope.