Honolua Blomfield Q&A: On moving to California, go-to board choices, adopting a puppy, and WSL endeavors.

How did growing up in Hawaii affect your competitive nature that has led you to be a 3 time world champ?

Since a really young age, I got to be in the water with the championship tour athletes and I had to scrap for waves and prove myself. Every winter since I could remember, the world's best surfers came to the North Shore and I kind of had to fight with them for waves. It was nice because I was from there and grew up competing for waves especially because the world’s best came around.

What made you move to California? How’s it been treating you?

It’s more of a back and forth. I’ve been coming here every summer since I was ten or eleven because the North Shore is flat and the summer competitions that are happening in California. I’ve recently been staying longer than usual but still go home for the winter and plan on doing 6 months in Hawaii and 6 months in California. 

What’s one thing you wish you could bring from home to California?

Poi.

What isn’t at home?

Chick-Fil-A. And my boyfriend [Clay Kreiner].

How’s “mom life” been since adopting Goober with Clay?

Life changing. It's a new responsibility. I didn’t like dogs until I got Goober, I wasn’t even much of an animal person. But being a dog mom is the best thing ever. 

Favorite board at the moment?

My Channel Islands twin pin, shoutout Mikey Feb. But my go-to comp board is always changing; I have ADHD with surfboards and can never choose. I believe different boards work in different ways. Same for shapers.

What would you like to see more of in the world of women’s longboarding?

I honestly would like to see more confidence and experimental surfing being done, even on a non-professional level. Longboarding is super user friendly. Not everyone can pick up shortboarding but girls can have more fun with a longboard even for the fun of it. It's a dance more than frothing out which is pretty and an art that I think can be used to girls’ advantage.

How’s it feel to have the younger generation of Hawaiian girls join the mix on tour?

It’s cool to see them become their own person because I’ve seen them since they were little and have been watching their surfing progress into their own style now that they’ve grown up.

What events would you like to see for the future of women’s longboarding?

An event in Hawaii at this point. Would love to see a tour event at Chun’s. That place is so fun.

What do you think needs to change for this to happen?

First off, I want to thank them in general for adding more events specifically this year. In the past, they’ve barely had two events and that can’t determine a world champ. 

I think it’s cool that this year there’s more variety in the wave destination but we need at least five or six. Anyone can have a bad contest, it's the ocean you could get unlucky. Like if it’s on dead low tide then you lose and it's your entire career for the year, naturally the more chances you have that really determines the best all around. 

People might complain that all the events are held at right-hand breaks, but they held the world title in China for 10 years. I think it's cool they gave the regular footers a chance at Malibu last year.

Are you more content or contest focused at this point of your career?

I’m more focused this year specifically on the WSL as opposed to other years. I feel like my whole career I've been going to every single contest like the duct tape and nationals but I’m currently taking a break and focusing on the World Title.

Things that have come out of your surfing career? 

I learned a lot about the real world. I feel like I've lived a very full and exciting life at age 24 when most people don't even get the chance to go to other countries their whole lives. I mostly just feel blessed that I have gotten to learn and grow. I’ve also learned a lot about the importance of persistence.

A contest you're most excited for this year?

I think Bells and El Salvador because they’re waves that I’ve never surfed. And they’re bigger waves like what I’m used to at home in Hawaii.

You’ve been competing on the Championship Tour since you were like 16 and been in this industry for awhile. How has your outlook on competing and surfing changed? Has your focus changed at this point in your life?

I think that I always knew what I was getting into and have always loved competing. It’s been my passion since the beginning and the love for surfing and competing just keeps growing with each contest that I do. So, no, passion never dies and remains a main focus in my life.

Any other things you’d like to share?

I’d like to say a big thank you to the O’Neill family. They’ve supported me since the beginning and helped shape my entire career.