Bio
Athleticism and beauty – a lethal combination. Erica Hosseini has both in spades. The self-proclaimed tomboy has graced magazine covers (in and out of the surf industry), been the focus of editorial features, fashion features and even appeared on “Access Hollywood.” With all of the modeling shoots she does for sponsors and editorial purposes, it’s surprising that the 5’10", blue-eyed, goofy-footed surfer/model can still find time to travel and compete (follow her adventures on ericahosseini.com).
A late-comer to surfing, Erica didn’t first hop up on a board until she was 11 and living full-time in Newport Beach, Calif. – where she still resides to this day. Having grown up playing every sport imaginable – soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse – and coming from athletic roots (both parents), the learning-curve for surfing was steep, but she quickly improved. By 14, she was competing regularly in amateur and professional contests, and qualified for the finals of the ASP Foster’s Cup at Lower Trestles. At the time, she was the youngest ever male or female to make the finals of an ASP event.
These days, she mostly lives the life of a freesurfer and a model-in-demand. She’s a fitness fiend and always in search of new adventure – is there any question why Oakley wanted to have her as a part of its Global O Team? Didn’t think so.
Baby-G Hawaii: Lifestyle from whereserica.com on Vimeo.
Q & A
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WHEN DID YOU START SURFING? WHERE AND WHY? WHO GOT YOU STARTED?
I started surfing at age 11. I grew up on the beach my entire life and was an extreme tomboy who played every sport and wanted to beat my older brother at EVERYTHING. Eventually, surfing made its way on the list of sports and my neighbor left his garage open for us to borrow boards as we pleased. The rest is history. We were addicted, competitive and pushed one another to be better than the other.
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WHAT WAS THE FIRST MANEUVER YOU MASTERED THAT GOT YOU MOTIVATED TO KEEP IMPROVING?
A frontside floater. I'll never forget free-falling down from the top of the wave and still standing on my board afterwards. I felt like I fell 10 stories on a two-foot wave. I just wanted to do it again and again.
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WHEN DID YOU START COMPETING?
I started competing right away. I entered free contests that would pop up on the weekends all the time. But I didn't make a heat for two years.
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WHEN DID YOU TURN PRO?
I entered my first pro event at age 14 and finished 2nd, becoming the youngest male or female at the time to make an ASP Final. That was when I knew I wanted to be a pro and surf for a living. But I didn't become pro until age 17 when I completely gave up all amateur events and strictly entered pro events.
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WHAT'S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE WAVE/SESSION/TRIP?
Best waves I've ever surfed would be on a trip to Kandui Island in the Mentawaii's. Flawless waves, white sand and just fun rippable surf with no one out :) Another favorite trip was to Nicaragua with the Hobgoods for "Camp Hobgood." Ten of my friends and also the best amateur surfers at the time got to go down and surf amazing waves and get tips from world class surfers.
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WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN SURFING?
My family, my friends and my health. Surfing professionally requires a lot of travel and sometimes injuries, so having great people in your life and being healthy to enjoy it all is extremely important.
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WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WAVE?
Trestles, Lowers Left (Uncrowded preferably :))
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WHAT'S YOUR DREAM SURF TRIP?
Going to Bali and island hopping with 2 boards, a backpack and scoring surf on each one, while eating good cheap food and getting a massage everyday!
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WHICH DO YOU PREFER: BEACHBREAK, POINTBREAK, REEFBREAK OR WAVEPOOL?
Fun, playful beachbreaks
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AIRS, BARRELS OR POWER TURNS?
Power turns. And if I'm lucky enough to land an air – than an air. :)
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IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY WOULD RECOGNIZE YOU BY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
My long "mantis" legs...
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WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION GROWING UP: WITHIN YOUR SPORT?
Lisa Anderson. Growing up she was the "it" girl and the "girl-to-be." She was in all the mags and featured in all the videos. It looked like the best life.
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OUTSIDE YOUR SPORT?
My brother ... I just wanted to be better than him.
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WHAT HAS DRIVEN YOU TO WORK HARD AND RISE UP BEYOND MEDIOCRITY
When I started doing well, I got rewarded. I got sponsored, got free swag, got to go on surf trips, saw my pics in magazines, so I worked harder and harder to get more and more. It was a great feeling and the perks are so worth the hard work.
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WHAT'S YOUR TRAINING REGIME LIKE? ARE YOU MORE MICK OR WILKO?
Somewhere in between. I don't eat and breathe surf training. I do surf-specific training because it's beneficial to my sport, but I like being healthy and fit and I like to do a lot of other things non-surf related while still being very active and staying outdoors. At the end of the day it's all beneficial to surfing, but I do it because it makes me feel good, look good and makes me happy. Beach runs, tennis, yoga, playing with my dog, wakeboarding, cooking healthy meals ... all of it!
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WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CONTEST TO COMPETE AT? WHY?
The events change year to year, so my favorite consistently changes. It used to be the US Open because it's in my backyard and the crowd is insane. But this year the Australian Open was my favorite. It's still crowded and chaotic, but I liked the warm water and the overall vibe a little more.
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WHAT IS THE CONTEST/VENUE THAT YOU DREAD AND WHY?
I'm not a big fan of the Margaret River event in Western Australia. It's a 30-hour plane trip to get to from California first of all. Second, the time adjustment of 9 hours puts me in sleep insomnia mode. And third, since I live in Newport and small waves are my comfort zone, I don't like that it has the potential to be 15+ feet and surfing a heat.
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FINISH THIS SENTENCE: "OAKLEY IS ___________"
"... a way of life that I strive for daily because it makes me feel good."
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IF YOU WEREN'T PURSUING A CAREER AS A PRO SURFER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING FOR A LIVING?
I would like to say something "outdoorsy" but my love for technology and geeking out computers and gadgets would probably have me working for Apple.
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WHAT'S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT?
I'm a pretty good cook. (Trying to be modest) Okay ... I'm a really good cook. ;)
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WHICH SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU PREFER: THE ABILITY TO FLY OR X-RAY VISION?
Flying – hands down!
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IF YOU HAD TO SHARE A HOTEL ROOM/APARTMENT WITH ONE OAKLEY ATHLETE, WHO WOULD IT NOT BE AND WHY?
SeaBass. I would be scared he would taunt/tickle me with his extra baby thumb. :)
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TELL US A FUNNY STORY ABOUT ANOTHER OAKLEY ATHLETE (WE'LL NEVER TELL ... UNTIL WE POST IT ON YOUR BIO PAGE.)
One of my best friends and go-to travel buddy is Sage Erickson. There would be too many to tell ... but don't worry Soggy, I won't leak a peep. Haha. What happens away, stays away! :)
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WHO'S YOUR CELEBRITY LOOK-ALIKE?
I've gotten everything from the Olsen twins when I was younger, to Blake Lively, Miley Cyrus (might just be the deep voice) to Alicia Silverstone and Jennifer Aniston ... but I think it was because I got my haircut just like "Rachel." :)
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CELEBRITY CRUSH?
James Franco, Zac Efron, David Beckham ... wait, was I only suppose to pick one?
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WHICH DO YOU PREFER: SPICY OR YELLOW MUSTARD?
Yuck. I HATE mustard. None please.
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PANCAKES OR WAFFLES?
Waffles. I'm all about the crisp n' crunch.
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COFFEE OR TEA?
Coffee ... BLACK! All day long. :)
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IS THERE ANY CURRENT TREND THAT YOU CAN'T STAND OR WRAP YOUR MIND AROUND (SKINNY JEANS, GOING VEGAN, ETC.)?
I still haven't caught onto high waisted pants/shorts. I want to like it and, more importantly, I want it to look good on me, but it's such an #epicfail.
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WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY?
I’m passionate about having a healthy lifestyle. No matter where I am in the world, as long as I’m feeding my body the right food and staying active, there really are no bad times. Ultimately I just want to be happy and have fun, and this plays a major role in my life. So I try and stay fit and eat as healthy as possible.
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FAVORITE FOOD?
Frozen yogurt :/ (I named my dog FROYO)
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FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
Bali
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FAVORITE AIRLINE?
V-Australia
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FAVORITE CANDY?
See's Chocolate, specifically Dark Chocolate Marzipan
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FAVORITE SPORT (BESIDES YOUR OWN)?
Tennis
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FAVORITE HOLIDAY?
Christmas. I love giving gifts.
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FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE?
Top 40 (the radio brainwashes me)
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FAVORITE SURF MOVIE?
Campaign I
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FAVORITE REGULAR MOVIE?
Anchorman, The Notebook, X-Men, too many to list...
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FAVORITE ANIMAL?
My new baby French Bulldog
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FAVORITE BOOKS:
Sookie Stackhouse Series, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Series, Cheslea Handler My Horizontal Life, The Hunger Games and of course The Twilight Saga
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FAVORITE TV SHOWS:
True Blood, Dexter, Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, Seinfeld, How I met your Mother, Entourage
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FAVORITE MUST-HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCTS?
In my bag 24/7: Chap Stick Cocoa Butter; Neutrogena Sesame Body Oil; Fekkai Glossing/Conditioning Hair Cream; TheBalm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer SPF 18; Benefit Lip Stain for Cheeks and Lips
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ONE WORD ASSOCIATION:
Freesurfing: Fun • Contests: Nerve-racking • North Shore: Crowded • Training: Tiring • Beauty: Shiny • Victory: Empowering • Defeat: Growth • Friend: Best • Oakley: Awesome
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ANY LAST WORDS?
If you wanna know anything outside of this bio, hit me up my blog at whereserica.com and gimme a shout :) Cheers!
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