Doc: Hey Keila, where are you from in the U.S and where do you ride these days?
KG: I am from Puerto Rico and currently live in southern California. My home spot is Salt Creek & Wedge
Doc: What boards are you running in your current quiver and what are your current faves?
KG: I ride a Madrid board!! My favorite board for wedges and shorebreaks.
Doc: What dimensions and core compositions are you finding hot for your riding at the moment?
KG: I use a 39 inch board bat tail with channels polypro custom designs by PMA a great shaper!
Doc: And how about accessories – leash, fins and wetsuits?
KG: Bullys bicep leash, Kpaloa fins
Doc: What % mix of prone and DK do you ride?
KG: 95% prone 5% DK
Doc: Your height?
KG: 5'3
Doc: Fave breaks – local and overseas?
KG: Local Salt Creek Gravels, in Puerto Rico Mingos wedge, in Hawaii Pipeline and Mexico Punta Colorada.
Doc: What would be the biggest wave you’ve taken on?
KG: Puerto Escondido Mexico
Doc: And what’s the toughest wave you’ve ridden?
KG: Pipeline and Teahupoo
Doc: Do you have a crew you hang with in the water?
KG: Joe Grodzen, Scotty Carter, Lisah, Henry Long, and lots of bodyboarders girls in California.
Doc: Do you travel much with other women riders?
KG: Not too much but I would love too. I do get to see the international women's riders every year in hawaii so that helps me see whats going on. I travel with my husband pro bodyboarder Joe Grodzen.
Doc: How do you find life in the water with the boys - do you find you get respect out there as a woman rider?
KG: Yes I get respect, it was hard to get to that point but they know I will go and pull in!!! Bodyboarders respect women in the water but some of the surfers get bummed at us.
Doc: Best boat trip?
KG: Tahiti
Doc: Any magazine pics or features?
KG: Bodyboarding magazine, Crysis Bodyboard mag and http://www.zenfilmz.com
Doc: Who are some of your fave photogs?
KG: Scott Carter, Joe Grodzen, and me. I have some pictures published in Crysis Bodyboard mag.
Doc: Board history – any chance you can remember and name the boards you have had under you over time? Fave ride ever of all of them?
KG: I started with a BZ stinger. Neon colors when I was 13 years old. Then bought a Mike Stewart C40. I won a contest in Puerto Rico and got a Tamega Wave Rebel that I loved. I got my first board sponsor BSD and compete in Pipeline for the first time 1999. Move to California got sponsor by Cartel Bodyboards, ride for them for 4 years, then got sponsor by Vortex custom bodyboards worked directly with the shaper and now I ride for Madrid Bodyboards.
Doc: Scariest moment on the boog?
KG: I dislocated my shoulder at Pipeline on a closeout! Also got held down at a spot in Moorea, lost my board and fins in the middle of the ocean, a little scary but I had my friends help me out.
Doc: What do you love most about the BB culture?
KG: Everything, the ocean, the barrels bodyboarders can get deeper, new moves and the friends I have around the world that love the sport like I do.
Doc: What do you reckon BB needs most at the moment?
KG: Support of big companies. and more contest in challenging waves like the Tahiti skins at Teahupoo, that contest was sick and the whole world got to see the talented bodyboarders riding big barrels. Also sponsors in the USA for riders in the USA and big contest like the USA open and our World Bodyboarding Games!!!
Doc: What do you reckon Women's BB needs most at the moment?
KG: Media, Sponsors and more contest.
Doc: Who would you like to give a shout-out to?
KG: Joe, my family and friends in Puerto Rico and Cali and the crew of bodyboarder girls that I surfed with them everyday, and thank riptide forum for the interview.
Doc: And finally who are your sponsors?
KG: Madrid Bodyboards, Alternative Surf bodyboard shop, http://www.zenfilmz.com, Soleo organic sunblock, Ambitious Faith, Bullys and Ghetto Boyz.
Thanks so much for your time Keila
1. Rider: Keila Grodzen Photographer: Joe Grodzen
2. Rider: Keila Grodzen Photographer: Joe Grodzen - Zen Filmz
3. Rider: Keila Grodzen Photographer: Joe Grodzen
4. Rider: Keila Grodzen Photographer: Joe Grodzen
5. Keila Grodzen Photo: Scotty Carter
