Dandy takes home The BIG Momma!

This month's feature interview zooms-in on Dan Jiles aka Breaker. The witty 36 year old shaved head Christian is the current "small wave" World Champion. Dandy joined Jon'ny J Surfing back in March of this early season and hadn't been wet yet. This weekend's ACE BIG Momma held in Cocoa Beach was his first outing since the Surf City Open when he crashed and face planted in a devestating competition that side lined him for 2 years with face and neck injuries. This week-end Dandy rode his 6'2" Quiet Flight up and down the beach catching some 30+ waves bringing home yet another trophee. He gave quite a show to those brave spectators who dared an outing on such a stormy day.

"Awesome 4ft Rips!"

High tide was going-out by the time judges set in, winds had been potent all day and so waves topped 4-5 feet. The breaks were slow from the southeast rolling right to left smashing into the Pier support beams. Dandy caught a few serious rides giving the crowd something to write home about- Awesome slow breaking east-coast 4 foot rips! He scored big pulling a few tricks out of his "flashback bag" reviving old moves from the 90's he once brought into the sport. This was gonna be a special day for Dandy fans and I was there to see it!

"Flashback '92: Doin' the Casual.."

So there he was sitting on a short board on a near glassy day- Dandy must have felt like a hoser having the shortest stick out there! Then he gets stung twice before catching his first ride! Making matters worse Dandy realizes this board wasn't gonna float him! "I sank to the bottom- waves weren't pushin" he says. "So, I turned a short board mess into a long board spectacular baby!"

This is where I admit I hadn't seen moves like these since the early 1990's! Dandy took us back in time, or forward. To the days when all that matters is: "think of God's world our mother earth. See the oceans? That's the water you know? Slowly eroding the earthy part. That's a lot of beaches dude! Wouldn't it be great to actually ride along these beaches, riding the water on God's gift that is the earth? That's what I like to do man! Everybody should be doin' something they love that's cool to them know what i'm sayin?"

Dandy spent more than 4 hours in the water pullin' Casuals, Bird Watchers and even threw down a classic "JJ Grind" to the beat coming off the Pier speakers making certain the judges were wow'd taking home his first "BIG Momma" ever! He looks forward to next year's contest where Jon'ny himself plans to compete and give Dandy a run for his money! Stay tuned on this one!

"I got stung 10 times- Praying didn't help!"

Warm Florida water meant jelly fish galore- "I got stung like 10 times out there man" says Dandy. "I even tried praying but it didn't help, the jelly's were hot!" Other surfers also complained of bites often screaming shortly after getting stung. "Slater got bit 3 feet from me waiting for a break" added Dandy, making this venue the hottest Jelly party on the east coast!

Concentrating on waves is job enough without having to fight the aquatic "locals". Dandy still gave us a great show making fans from Missouri to Sidney Australia! "I went out there to have a good time and hang with my buddies". Turns out he takes home the "biggest" trophy on the circuit his first time out this year. Beginner's luck I ask? "Call is whatever you want dude. I had fun, I think the most fun out there and I made a few people on the beach (judges) feel pretty cool to so they game me this trophy which I can't even lift but it's cool! Did you have fun man?" he asks. My words were simple. Yeah, I had a "Dandy" time dude.

"The job ain't all bad.. Beats driving Miss Daisy!"

"Hey! The job ain't all that bad- Beats driving Miss Daisy!" he closes. Dandy gets paid to surf and out run beach babes. Wow! Tough job all right. Then again, factor in the Jelly Fish bites, cuts and bruises, and horrific wipeouts and maybe the money is worth the effort! At least, I think so! Good seein' ya ride Dandy!
-Sebastian Ponce

Bio: Dandy Jiles was spiritually born in Laguna Beach, California, he is married to Lizzy Ross, they are proud parents of a beautiful beach bound daughter named Grace. Dandy surfs part-time spending most work days at his home based multimedia production studio. He currently lives in St Petersburg, FL where he feels blessed to be a blessing. Dandy drives an old Grand Caravan equipped with both a board and bike rack. His favorite meal is filet mignon grilled rare and, a baked potato with tons of butter. He listens to Christian music and attends church every Sunday. He is a man of God and your "all around good guy". He just happens to look like a tough guy but is soft hearted and very friendly. <He twisted my arm to make me write that!>

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