Watch Now: Eli Hanneman’s True Growth Spurt

Eli Hanneman has grown up. Sharper turns, higher airs, and a developing sense of why he surfs. The pressure that comes with competitive sports as a child is a heavy burden to bear. Especially when it comes to a singular sport like surfing—with no teammates, there’s only one person to blame: yourself.

Eli has developed through his ‘contests are everything’ phase, and his surfing reflects that. Heat wins are critical for success in competitive surfing, but obsessing over them can be detrimental to one’s performance, especially during the developmental years. 

Eli’s new approach is a little bit looser. Same ruthless surfing, just a more laid back approach to the sport as a whole. Part 2 of Eli’s film series “Muse” features the young adult lighting up the California coast, as well as the Surf Ranch. Click here to take a peek.