DILLON PERILLO – THE NATIONAL OPEN JUNIOR CHAMP SPEAKS!

TWILIGHT LIPPER OFF THE PISMO PIER AT GOLD COAST EVENT #4             photo: Chris Keet/SurfHappens

Dillon’s first competitive season was in the Gold Coast Conference in 2003-04 where he finished sixth in the Explorer Boys ratings.  He didn’t really attract attention until the 04-05 season when he came down south and surfed in the Open Juniors.  He put together a solid season finishing third with five finals appearances and one victory.  Fast forward to 05-06 and the Malibu local was quickly accelerating to the top of the ratings charts.  Eyebrows were raised when he pulled double victories in both the Men’s and Juniors divisions at the Newport Open.  He ended up second in the Juniors ratings behind Andrew Doheny and was under the radar as a National title contender.  Even after coming off of an impressive season, he was still considered a longshot, especially when you have Granger Larsen, Andrew, John John Florence and Alex Smith breathing down your neck.  Dillon will be the first to admit that his Nationals victory was a stunner.  “I was surprised; I didn’t think I was going to win.  I got really lucky, I think.  I got one of the most perfectly lined up waves I saw the whole time I was down there.  That wave came to me right off the buzzer.”  The wave was a Lowers dream and he lit it up to the tune of 9’s from the judges.  Skunked for the next 19 plus minutes, he caught one more wave just before time expired on the clock locking in a 4.5 score which was the clincher. 

Full Name: Dillon Gerrard Perillo

Birthdate: May 13, 1990

Hometown: Malibu, Ca

School: Malibu High School

Grade: 11

Sponsors:  Hurley, Roberts, DC, Smith, IGBS, Ladera, Sex Wax

JANICE ARAGON: Do you remember the first time you went surfing?

DILLON PERILLO: My dad took me when I was five.  I was scared but after a while I started catching my own waves.  It was like one foot white wash and I just went straight.

How long have you been surfing in the NSSA?

3 years.

What is your local surf spot?

Zuma.

Who is your local crew?

Sam McGee, Anthony Petruso, Pascal Stansfield, Max Baumann and a bunch of other people.

Where is your favorite place to surf and why?

Tavarua because it’s perfect and there is a limited amount of people there.  I’ve been there twice.

What is the best thing about growing up and surfing in the Malibu area?

You can get uncrowded waves because there are beachbreaks there and they are always blown out after school. There is like a whole stretch that’s about five miles long. 

What’s the scene like at Malibu?

It’s different. I pretty much surf there everyday when I’m home.  It’s a cool scene but it’s really different, I can’t explain it.

Is it like it was back in the Gidget days?

It’s not like that but it’s just different.  Some kids will be into surfing and other kids will be fully messed up.  I don’t know, it’s weird.  I don’t get it.  It’s not normal.  But I like it there. 

How often do you surf?

I try to surf everyday as much as I can.  I don’t have anything else to do that’s better. 

What is your best move? 

Airs I guess.  Anything can be good, depending on how well you do it.  You could have a huge turn throwing tail and air dropping down, or a big air or a good barrel or something.  It just matters how well you do it. 

What is the scariest wave you have surfed?

Sunset.  It’s huge, there is a lot of current and it’s hard to get waves because the locals are crazy. 

What did you do this summer?

Nationals and then I went to the Mentawaiis for a month.  It was the best trip of my life.  We got a lot of swell, the wind was perfect, and every wave was perfect.  My dad, Nat Young and a bunch of friends from Malibu went on that trip. 

What is your favorite subject?

Probably math.

Do you have any other hobbies besides surfing?

No.

What sport would you be in if you didn’t surf?

Basketball.

Who are your favorite pro surfers and why?

Dane Reynolds because he’s a really good free surfer.  Everything he does is so crazy.  The stuff no one else can pull.  Andy Irons because he is one of my favorite contest surfers.  Everything he does is perfected. 

Who are your favorite NSSA surfers and why?

Granger because his style is retardedly good.  Clay Marzo, he’s crazy. 

This year you nailed your first National victory.  How did it feel to win a prestigious Open title?

Surprised because I didn’t think I was going to win.  Usually Granger wins and Alex Smith is pretty good too.  I got really lucky, I think.  That first wave I got, the set wave it just lined up perfect.  It was one of the most perfectly lined up waves I saw the whole time I was down there.  It had the best sections, it wasn’t mushy at all.  There was a lip every time, I just kept hitting it and hitting it.  That wave came in right at the starting buzzer.  I only got two waves that whole heat.  I got a 9.0 and a 4.5. Then I just sat the whole heat, I couldn’t get another wave until the last minute.   I was so nervous on that second wave.  All I needed was a 4.  Every turn, I didn’t want to fall because there was only a minute left.  I just tried to get the score without falling. 

If your surfboard could have talked to you after the final, what would it have said?

Good job. 

How did you celebrate your victory?

 I had sushi that night with my parents.   I was just so surprised and stoked, I didn’t really do anything.   

Did your sponsors hook you up?

Yea, Hurley did.  Sex Wax and Smith did too

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What are your goals for this season?

Try to win the Nationals again. 

With only 3 years under your belt, what has inspired you to constantly push yourself?

Fame, money and fun.

What is the best thing about surfing in the NSSA?

Practice for sure.  I do NSSA’s because they are fun and I want to get ready for the ‘QS. It’s all about practice. I want to make the WCT.

What is the best advice anyone has given to you?

Everyone tells me not to get mad after my heats but I still do.

Name something people don’t know about you.

I use to play basketball a lot.  I was just as serious about basketball as I am about surfing now.  But once I started surfing, I didn’t want to play basketball anymore, at least seriously. 

Anyone you would like to thank?

Parents, sponsors and the NSSA.

Finish this sentence-If I had lots of money I would ---

---Live in the Mentawaiis on a big boat-a 100 foot catamaran.  A really big boat and really good waves, that’s all I need. J