Matt Byzak
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You had a strong reputation in the contest scene awhile back... we know for a fact many riders did not want you in their heats. Where you been?
I've been around...you will occasionally see me in Hawaii and up and down the Californian coast, but for the most part I've been focusing on my career.
You used to ride for Custom X for a long time? What did you learn from that experience?
Always sign a contract!!!
Not many people know but your dad is one of the premier surfboard shapers in California (Hank Byzak, Pure Fun Surfboards)? Tell us about that legacy and how that has influenced your surfing.
Many people do not know that my Dad has been shaping for over 37 years and is also in the Shapers Hall Of Fame. So it is hard being a Bodyboarder and having to always answer the big question..."Why don't you surf??" I just loved Bodyboarding and it fit my personality better.
You've been working at In N Out Burger as a Manager for as long as we can remember? How did you get into that profession?
I started at In-N-Out in 2000 as a way to pay for my travels and contests since none of my sponsors would help me out. After working there for a couple years, I had the opportunity to advance in the company and turn it into a career. I decided to make it my career and put Bodyboarding 2nd in my life.
Your riding is very explosive. You have the skills to boost and do things most others can't.. who were your early influences?
The first person was of course Eppo...he was doing things that no one else was doing. And that is what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the one everyone was watching and looking up to.
You recently bought a camera and started taking a ton of photos. Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?
Definitely behind it now. My outlook on things have changed over the years and I want to be on this side now.
Tell us about growing up with Justin, Rusty and Ray?
Ray was the one that everyone was watching in the water. He had a style that was like he was floating on the water. And you definitely did not want him in your heat. Even though Justin and Rusty were younger than me, I looked up to their different styles and the way that they charged big waves. They are the future of the Californian bodyboarders.
You are probably one of the most fit guys we know and you hardly ever work out... what's the deal with that?
Yeah, I guess I got kinda lucky and I don't have to work out that much...or at all. A person once told me, "A burger a day, will keep the doctor away."
You dated a pretty hot red head back in the day. What's up with you and red heads?
Red Heads are like "Diamonds in the Rough!!!" I guess she changed everything for me and what I was attracted to.
How important is RXYM Fashion to you?
Well I think RXYM is the future for the Industry. They are giving back to the kids and showing the respect to the people that started it.
You placed equal fifth at the Jenks Pro a few years back and took out some international names. Are we going to see you back in the contest scene?
Yeah, I think people can expect to see me at a few more contests. But I don't just want to ride in the contest, I want to take photos so people can get a better understanding of what we do.
We are going to give you a list of sports and some other things.. tell us who the best are?
Bodyboarding-Jeff Hubbard, Surfing-Kelly Slater, MMA-Fedor Emeilianenko, Big Wave Riding-Bhodi, Baseball-Ricky Henderson, Basketball-Lebron James, Football-LT, Supermodel-Gisele, Punk Band-Lagwagon, Restaurant-Fidel's, Video Game-Guitar Hero, Website-Myspace, Book-Game.
Any last words or shout outs..?
hanks to RXYM Fashion. Shout out to my brother, and all the people that support Bodyboarding and care about the future of the sport.