ASL In The Shack With Rick Mellen

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"In the Shack" with Rick Mellen

Our first ASL Profile of the Year is Rick Mellen from New Smyrna Beach , Florida. ASL's Senior Photographer Paul DiMarco caught up with Rick Mellen at the NSSA East Coast Championships to grab a short interview and see how his new sponsorship with Jet Pilot is going.

I first photographed Rick Mellen in South Palm Beach, Florida back in 2009. Rick was surfing south of his home break in Palm Beach with Andrew Fletcher and a crew of rippers from FAU. They were completely killing it on a waist high shorebreak wave and I started shooting them from the water. I wasn't sure who these guys were and really never met them until about a year later when Andrew Fletcher contacted me to set up a shoot during the first hurricane swell of the season.

The second time I shot Rick I was in South Palm Beach during a good afternoon session. The waves were about chest high and from the north east. It was one of those winter days with a cool chill in the air and no wind, with total perfection. Rick was out there in the line up blowing up wave after wave, slapping lips and catching airs. Mellen was on that day, his surfing was extraordinary and his form was perfect.

But what stands out the most about shooting with Rick is the day we shot in South Beach with Andrew Fletcher and his crew in 2010. It was the second swell that hit South Beach in two weeks. With temperatures in the forties, brisk west winds and solid head high waves, all morning long. We headed south early to score epic South Beach surf and capture some great images.

Rick recently got engaged and became a father to a healthy baby girl. He's enjoying being a father and surfing as much as possible when he's not working. You can catch up with Rick Mellen on facebook or just paddle out on any good day at the Inlet and say hello.

Check out his interview below with Photographer and Owner of Atlantic Surf Life.com, Paul DiMarco

ASL: So what do the guys call you?

Rick: Pretty Ricky.

ASL: What's your Local Surf Break?

Rick: I surf at New Smyrna Beach.

ASL: What was the first board you owned and surfed?

Rick: A Rusty 6'0 with glass ons.

ASL: How old were you when you started surfing?

Rick: I first went surfing when I was 6 years old.

ASL: Goofy or reg?

Rick: I am goofy, but I surf regular.

ASL: So what's your magic board when it's small and medium size surf?

Rick: I ride a 5'5' carbon fiber, Pierce Shapes when it's small and when it's chest high I ride my 6'0 sonic (nsb killer) .

ASL: What's your go-to board when it's double over head and pumping?

Rick: I ride my 6'2 chili, if it gets crazy that's when I take out my Pierce Shapes 6'6' gun which is glassed with hemp!

ASL: What's your favorite Atlantic Surf Spot?

Rick: Shhhhh

ASL: Biggest wave ridden in Atlantic and when?

Rick: May 8th, swell Delray Beach

ASL: Best surf trip?

Rick: I spent 9 months in Hermosa, Costa Rica!

ASL: Are you sponsored?

Rick: Jet Pilot, Anarchy Sunglasses, Cobian Sandals, Zinka Sunscreen and Astodeck Pads.

ASL: Chicken, beef or veggies?

Rick: Veggies, everything green is good.

ASL: Coffee, tea or energy drink?

Rick: Energy drinks are poison. Coffee, its the only way I can wake up.

ASL: Favorite type of food?

Rick: Organic

ASL: What's your local watering hole?

Rick: hmmm?

ASL: What's your sure thing cocktail?

Rick: Flor de Cana Black Label and ginger ale.

ASL: What ya rolling in?

Rick: A White Tacoma TRD 4dr Sport.

ASL: Favorite Movie?

Rick: Waterworld, it intrigues me to think what life would be like with no land. I would definitely have a boat like Kevin Costner's.

ASL: Blondes, brunettes or red heads?

Rick: Brunettes.

ASL: Haters should?

Rick: Keep hating.

ASL: Flip flops, shoes or barefoot?

Rick: Flip Flops (Cobian)

ASL: Do you have any Phobias?

Rick: Lightning.

ASL: Video or Photos?

Rick: If DiMarco is takin em then... Photos!!

ASL: Favorite music and band?

Rick: As long as it sounds good.

ASL: What's your weakness?

Rick: Ice cream.

ASL: Gym's are for?

Rick: Flat spells.

ASL: What do you do when it's flat and not working?

Rick: Fish for some sharks!

ASL: Advice for Groms?

Rick: Respect the people who have been surfing before you. You can learn something from them.

ASL: Your go-to website for swell forecast and info?

Rick: Swellinfo or Magicseaweed.

ASL: If you could change the world?

Rick: I wouldn't change the world because who knows what would change with it.

ASL: Have you had any shots in mags or cover shots?

Rick: Waiting...

ASL: What's next?

Rick: Win an East Coast title.

ASL: Website?

Rick: Atlantic Surf Life, appreciate the opportunity and support!

ASL Are you on Facebook?

Rick: Yes.

ASL: Do you Twitter or Tweet?

Rick: Nope.

ASL: Give the ASL fans a closing statement?

Rick: "If you want it, go get it!

Alantic Surf Life would like to thank Rick Mellen for his time and for help making this interview possible.
Rick is surfing in the ESA East Coast Regionals in St. Augustine, Florida this weekend. He placed 4th in 2010 at the East Coast Easterns in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina last year and ASL would like to wish him luck in the race for that East Coast Title.