20 Questions: Surf Perspective - Abel Halderman

Submitted by Zelda Zimberman

20 Questions: Surf Perspective is part of a continuing series SurfWatch will be running as participants respond to Zelda's questionaire.

1. Name: 
Abel Halderman

2. Team: 
No team

3. Surfing Since: 
2007

4. Favorite Board and why?: 
SSi custom shortboard - allows a very smooth style but at the same time it's very sensitive in turns.

5. Favorite Wave and why?: 
SSi Cortez - just love the way it looks. Also it seems it's a lucky wave for me in the comps ;-)

6. How did you come across surfing on SL and what was your first initial reaction to it?: 
When I think about it... I was supposed to be a gallery owner ;p I started surfing by accident really. First impression I had was... wow... exciting! Wait, did I fall off?

7. Are you involved in the SLSA (second life surfing association) in any way? (competitions, events, etc.): 
I compete in the SLSA contests. Also used to help with organizing them and judged.

8. What are your thoughts or opinions on the direction on the SLSA from 2012 and beyond?: 
The SLSA will still be active, maybe it will change a bit, but generally there will always be people around that share the same passion for competitions and standing up for a challenge. I think the SLSA will keep evolving and improving, too.

9. What do/did you find positive and negative about it?: 
I've spent a lot of time of my SL being either a SLSA director or helping with comps. From my perspective it is a great thing that new people are taking over, new things are happening, new surfers are doing great in comps. It's a whole new generation of surfers now, and it's a great thing. It means that the idea the founders had when they created the association is universal and it communicates well. It means it will keep running.
New directors will learn and pass the skills and knowledge to the next ones. I see that many standards of organization my generation worked are still up-to-date and used.

How would you like to see it improve more?: 
One thing I will always ask the SLSA to do, or the directors to be precise, would be "communicate, communicate, communicate" ;-) so even people that never participated in anything SLSA-related or are not the members of the SLSA forum can understand what's currently going on and what the SLSA is about. Communicate the love for surfing, too, by actively organizing classes, new surfers events including mini-comps etc.

10. Do you compete in any surfing competitions SLSA or non?: 
I have competed this past season in every SLSA competition. Generally I've competed since 2008.

11. What do/did you find gratifying and dissatisfying about competitions?: 
I like the thrill. I hate the wait... but that's really beyond anyone's control.

12. How do you feel about the SLSA using non SSI boards for competitions? (ex; HP5, LSD, Action): 
Sure, why not. As long as it's surfing, not simboarding.

13. If you are currently inactively involved in competitions (surfing, judging, etc.) what was the reason for leaving? Would you want to come back and participate? Please explain your answer: 
N/A

14. What are your thoughts on the team dynamics?  Is there a team you particularly like? Why?: 
I'm not a member of any team, and I really don't have favorites. If I had to pick, I'd choose small teams as favorites. They seem to be more familily-like groups. I also kind of miss the Vibrations team. They used to have 6-7 people in each competition. I believe they won one or two seasons, too.

15. Is there anyone on here that particularly had an impact when it came to surfing, mentoring, and overall being a role model for you? Who and why? Please explain your answer: 
Colleen Brennan and Milo Voss were the ones that really got me into competing and supported me all the way.

16. What was your favorite moment or memory on surfing here?: 
Surfing pipes at Black River Harbor. Lots of friends, lots of laughs.

17. Is there anyone you know or knew that isn't active as much in surfing and would like to see come back? Who and why?: 
Can I say all of the people that are not active? ;p Seriously tho, I'd like to see friends back, like Milo Voss or Ritch Goalpost competing again. Some others, too. Also there is a lot of skilled and talented surfers that would make the whole competition part even more interesting if they came back.

18. Many people have strong opinions when it comes to SL surfing and RL surfing. What is your take on the comparison?: 
Well... SL surfing is in SL, RL surfing is in RL. There is no comparison. I suck at RL surfing, yet I'm an okay surfer in SL. In SL you surf when sitting in your chair. In RL it requires a lot more effort and skills. So no, no comparison. If I had to compare tho, or express my expectations towards the SL surfing, I'd say: make it look real.

19. Do you have any advice for new SL surfers on here?: 
Learn from other people, find your own style,  and most of all enjoy your ride.

20. Any other thoughts?: 
Plently ;-)

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