Today we have big wave surfer Will Skudin on the line to talk about geting the bid for a full time spot on the Big Wave World Tour this year. We talk to him about growing up as an east coast surfer on the big wave world stage and how his background in swimming helped prepare him for the mental toughness required for huge surf.

Will is an awesome guy. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him and his girlfriend, Jen, last month while we were in Puerto Rico, and was really impressed with how modest and approachable he seemed considering the heroics of what he does for a living. I guess I assumed that big wave surfers were full of insane energy and adrenalin 24/7 and maybe some are, but not in this case. Will has a very calming way about him - anxiety doesn't seem like a word he's familiar with. When 40 foot walls of water pick you out of the line up to march toward, you have to be cool headed enough to hold your ground and trust your positioning versus paddling like mad for the horizon. That's what separates big wave surfers from the rest of us.

We're looking forward to following Will's season this year as the first waiting period kicks of late next month. He's a testament to hard work, determination, and dedication and I can't wait to see it all unfold on the big wave world stage in 2017 Enjoy the show.