BIO/PROFILE: Who is Steve "Action" Jackson?

BIO/PROFILE:  Who is Steve "Action" Jackson?

Steve "Action" Jackson at the 2011 Encanto Pro Puerto Rico.  Photo: Manny Vargas

Name: Steven Jackson

Age: 41

Height: 5'7"/ 170cm

Weight: 154lbs./ 70Kg

Status: Divorced

From: Brielle, New Jersey, USA

Current Residence: Neptune Township, New Jersey, USA

Years Bodyboarding: 31

Home Surf Spots: Manasquan, Belmar, and Jenks in NJ.

Favorite Quote: "Those who dream by day are aware of many things which escape those who dream only by night." -Edgar Allan Poe

AMATEUR BODYBOARDING CAREER:  I competed full-time as an amateur in the Men's Bodyboarding Division of the ESA (Eastern Surfing Association) Central New Jersey District from 1996-1999 and from 2003-2004, as well as competing in a couple of ABA (Atlantic Bodyboarding Association) events during my amateur career.

(Eastern Surfing Association- Central New Jersey District)
- 1997 ESA/CNJ Men's Bodyboarding Champion
- 1998 ESA/CNJ Men's Bodyboarding Vice-Champion
- 1999 ESA/CNJ Men's Bodyboarding Champion
- 1999 ESA/CNJ Open Bodyboarding Champion
- =9th in Men's Bodyboarding at 1999 ESA East Coast Surfing Championships
- 2003 ESA/CNJ Men's Bodyboarding Champion
- 2003 ESA/CNJ Open Bodyboarding Champion
- 3rd in Men's Bodyboarding at ESA Northeast Regional Championships
- 2004 ESA/CNJ Men's Bodyboarding Vice-Champion

Most Memorable Win: My personal favorite was in 2003.  I won the ESA/CNJ event at Manasquan Inlet on Halloween weekend.  There is something very special about the feeling of winning a competition at your home break, in front of all of your friends!

(Atlantic Bodyboarding Association)
- 4th place in Open Bodyboarding at 2004 ABA Belmar Pro/Am (New Jersey)
- 3rd place in Masters Bodyboarding at 2006 ABA Kitty Hawk Pro/Am (North Carolina)

I was stoked on a 3rd place finish in the Masters Bodyboarding division at the 2006 ABA Kitty Hawk Pro/Am in North Carolina. This was my last competition as an amateur, and a nice way to finish off my amateur career.  Photo: Justine Renzi

PROFESSIONAL BODYBOARDING CAREER:  I competed in the Men's Pro division on the USBA (United States Bodyboarding Association) National Championship Tour 2005-2011.  I managed to rank in the top 20 in final season standings for 2006, 2007, 2008, and once more in 2011 but, to be completely honest, my "pro career" was lackluster and disappointing at best.  With minimal sponsor support compounded by a run of injuries and persistent health issues, I was never able to compete on a full-time schedule or put together the results I was striving for.

One of my last pro events...The 2011 US Open of Bodyboarding in Huntington Beach, CA. Photo: Liz Crowley

INVOLVEMENT IN THE SPORT OF BODYBOARDING:

On the fly during the 2012 USBA Scion Jenks Pro in New Jersey!

USBA- UNITED STATES BODYBOARDING ASSOCIATION:

 I worked USBA tour events in New Jersey, California, and Mexico from 2005-2012 as:
- Event Coordinator
- Transportation and Logistics
- Beach Marshall
- Beach Announcer
- Webcast Commentator
- Security
- Media Relations and Press Releases
- Sponsor Liason

  For as long as I was involved with the USBA, if there was a job to be done I was willing to jump in and take care of it!  If I am not familiar with how to handle a job or situation, I am always willing to find a solution and learn on the fly!

Frame grab...interviewing Jeff Hubbard during the live webcast of the 2011 US Open of Bodyboarding in Huntington Beach, CA.

IBA- INTERNATIONAL BODYBOARDING ASSOCIATION:

BUZIOS BODYBOARDING 2010:
Location: Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When: May 2010
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Host, Press Release Writer

After working commentary each day, I would go back to the hotel and type up the IBA press releases for Buzios Bodyboarding 2010.

2011 PIPELINE PRO:
Location: Pipeline, North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
When: February 2011
Job Description:  Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host

"Action" Jackson and Manny Vargas, 2011 Pipeline Pro webcast commentators on Red Bull TV!

*2011 PIPELINE BODYSURFING CLASSIC:
Location: Pipeline, North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
When: February 2011
Job Description: Announcer/ MC

The Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic competition was run as part of the IBA Pipe Pro.  I was asked to work as beach announcer and MC...stoked! Photo: Manny Vargas

2011 ENCANTO PRO:
Location: Middles, Isabela, Puerto Rico
When: November 2011
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host

Manny V and "Action" Jackson in the commentary booth at the Encanto Pro in Puerto Rico.

2012 ITACOATIARA PRO:
Location: Itacoatiara, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
When: June 2012
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host

Frame grab of Steve "Action" Jackson and Manny Vargas from live webcast of the 2012 Itacoatiara Pro in Brasil.

RIO BODYBOARDING INTERNATIONAL 2012:
Location: Posto 5, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
When: September 2012
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Host, End-of-Day Highlights

Hosting the English-speaking commentary for Rio Bodyboarding International 2012 with 5x World Champion Neymara Carvalho sitting in for guest commentary.

RIO BODYBOARDING INTERNATIONAL 2013:
Location: Posto 5, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
When: September 2013
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Host, End-of-Day Highlights

Bodyboarding legend Jay Reale and Steve "Action" Jackson hosting the English-speaking commentary for Rio Bodyboarding International 2013.

APB- ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BODYBOARDERS:

2014 ITACOATIARA PRO:
Location: Itacoatiara, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
When: July 25th- August 3rd
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Host

In the commentary booth with 9x World Champion Mike Stewart.

2014 ARICA CHILEAN CHALLENGE:
Location: El Gringo, Ex-Isla Alacran, Arica, Chile
When: August 15th-24th
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Host,  APB press releases

In the commentary booth with 2010 World Champion Amaury Lavernhe.

2014 ANTOFAGASTA BODYBOARD FESTIVAL:
Location: La Cupula, Antofagasta, Chile
When: August 26th-31st
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host, APB press releases

Working live webcast coverage with ISA commentator Philip Muller.

2015 ITACOATIARA PRO:
Location: Itacoatiara, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
When: July 2nd-12th
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Morning Show Host, press releases

Commentary and Morning Show co-host Paula Simão and Steve "Action" Jackson.

2015 ARICA CHILEAN CHALLENGE:
Location: El Gringo, Ex-Isla Alacran, Arica, Chile
When: July 17th-27th
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Host,  APB press releases

Frame grab from live webcast coverage of the 2015 Arica Chilean Challenge.

2015 ANTOFAGASTA BODYBOARD FESTIVAL:
Location: Nilda Point & Budeo, Antofagasta, Chile
When: July 28th-August 2nd
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Host, APB press releases

Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival 2015.

2015 ENCANTO PRO CULTURA
Location: Middles, Isabela, Puerto Rico
When: Movember 4th-15th
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Morning Show Host

Hoisting the APB Men's Championship Trophy on The Morning Show in front of  title contenders Pierre Louis Costes (France), Jared Houston (South Africa), and Amaury Lavernhe (Reunion Island).

2016 ITACOATIARA PRO
Location: Praia de Itacoatiara, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
When: July 16-26
Job Description: Webcast Commentator

Frame grab of Steve "Action" Jackson and Dave Hubbard during live covergae of the 2016 APB Itacoatiara Pro.

CIRCUITO CARIOCA DE BODYBOARD (Rio City Bodyboarding Tour):

Locations: Ipanema, Copacabana, Macumba, Sao Conrado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When: August through December 2013
Job Description: Assistant Beach Marshal

Working the flags as Assistant Beach Marshal for the 2013 Circuito Carioca de Bodyboard.
Photo: Flavio Brito

BODYBOARDING 101:
  I began the Bodyboarding 101 blog in June of 2012, during the Itacoatiara Pro.  I research, write, and update all of the blogs with pro riders, knowledgeable industry figures, and legends of bodyboarding helping me to uncover and document the history of bodyboarding as well as helping with the questions I tend to have.  All of this information is gathered, organized, and passed on to the bodyboarding community.  Bodyboarding is a labor of love for me.  I am fascinated by the 40+ years of our sport and constantly try to learn more!  So far, in the first four years of Bodyboarding 101, this blog has had more than 125,000 page views, with that number growing every day.  For more information about BODYBOARDING 101, please be sure to visit this link:

http://bodyboarding101.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-is-bodyboarding-101.html


WRITING:
  I have written for several bodyboarding publications over the years, both print and online, including:
- Bodyboarding Magazine
- Bodyboarder Magazine
- Crysis Bodyboard Magazine
-Surge Bodyboarding Magazine
-BBR magazine
-Riptide Magazine

I have, also, written press releases for the USBA national tour, the IBA world tour, and the APB World Tour.


OTHER EXPERIENCE:

(ASP-ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS)

2014 ASP Men's QS Quiksilver Saquarema Prime presented by Powerade
Location: Praia de Itauna, Saquarema, Ri de Janeiro, Brasil
When: May 20th-25th
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host

The English-speaking commentary team for the ASP Saquarema Prime, Steve "Action" Jackson and big wave surfing legend Peter Mel!

(WSL- WORLD SURF LEAGUE)

2015 WSL QS10,000 Quiksilver Pro Saquarema presented by Powerade
Location: Praia de Itauna, Saquarema, Ri de Janeiro, Brasil
When: May 5th-10th
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host, Morning Show Host

WSL Quiksilver Pro Saquarema Morning Show.

2015 WSL QS1500 Maui and Sons Arica Pro presented by Corona
Location: El Gringo, Arica, Chile
When: August 4th-9th
Job Description: Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host

WSL QS1500 Maui and Sons Arica Pro presented by Corona.

2015 WSL QS6000 Red Nose Pro
Location: Praia do Santinho, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil
When: October 20th-25th
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host

Red Nose Pro English-speaking commentary hosts Flavio Padaratz and Steve "Action" Jackson.

2015 WSL QS6000 Mahalo Surf Eco Festival
Location: Praia de Tiririca, Itacaré, Bahia, Brasil
When: October 27th-November 1st
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host

English-speaking webcast commentators Flavio Caldas and Steve "Action" Jackson during the Mahalo Surf Eco Fest.

(ISA- INTERNATIONAL SURFING ASSOCIATION)

2014 ISA World Bodyboard Championship
Location: Punta Uno, Iquique, Chile
When: December 6th-14th
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host, Portuguese-speaking interviews

Frame grab of live interview during ISA WBC 2014.

2015 ISA Iquique Para Todos World Bodyboard Championship
Location: Punta Uno, Iquique, Chile
When: December 6th-13th
Job Description: English-speaking Webcast Commentator/ Co-Host

ISA WBC 2015.

2015 ISA WBC Final Day Highlights:

(PHOTOS)

Cabo Freak Fest 2010. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Photo: Manny Vargas.

Pt. Pleasant, New Jersey 2011. Photo: Chris Zeh.

P5, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2012. Photo: Oswaldo Sigueira.

Copacabana Shorebreak, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2013. Photo: Felipe Watson.

P5 2014. Photo: Jonathan Cardoso.

P5 2015. Photo: Manolo Expression Session.

P5 2016. Photo: Oswaldo Sigueira.

P5 2016. Photo: Alexandre Girão.

P5 2016. Photo: Henrique Carlos.

P5 2016.

Sorriso 2016 (Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil).

A DAY IN THE LIFE: New Jersey Travel Blog, Pt. III: A Place Called Home

A DAY IN THE LIFE: New Jersey Travel Blog, Pt. III: A Place Called Home

  9 MAY 2013:  My first full day home in New Jersey after eight months in Brasil was a fun one.  Don't get me wrong, I love living in Rio de Janeiro but New Jersey will always be home.  It's where I'm from.  It's where I grew up. I have spent most of my life here.  All of my experiences from here on the Jersey Shore have shaped my life and the person that I have become.  Naturally, whenever I'm away for an extended amount of time I tend to miss it.  Time away, also, makes me appreciate it more...especially after the devastation of Superstorm Sandy six months ago.

Mmmmm, my first Pork Roll, Egg & Cheese sandwich in eight months!

  I woke up early, this morning, to drive my aunt to work and use her car for the day.  I hit up breakfast at one of my favorite spots, Bagel Basket Cafe in Spring Lake Heights, for one of my favorites...and a standard  in NJ...a pork roll, egg, & cheese sandwich on a hard roll with salt/ pepper/ ketchup.  I've been dying for one of these for months!!!  After breakfast, I met up with my friend, Pat Hemenway.  We hit up a really fun bodyboarding session at Gunny's in Belmar.  He had to bail early to be to work at Eastern Lines surf shop.  I stayed out to round off a two hour session and break in my new board a little bit more.

Pat Hemenway (on the left) and the crew at Eastern Lines Surf Shop in Belmar, NJ.

  After bodyboarding, I had running around to do...Eastern Lines for surf wax and sunscreen,  Oakley Vault Jersey Shore (my old job) to refill my lens cleaner and pick up a new pair of boardshorts, along with a few other errands.  Later, I met up with one of my oldest and best friends, Lou, for some Mexican food from Jose's and watch some baseball at his place.  The way the day went, you would be hard-pressed to believe that I've been away for eight months because it felt like I had never left!

Belmar, New Jersey...a lot of progress has been made rebuilding in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, but there's  still much work to be done!

  That's all for now.  Until the next time, I'm Steve "Action" Jackson.  I'll see you out on the water...YEEEWWW!!!

A DAY IN THE LIFE: New Jersey Travel Blog, Pt. II: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

A DAY IN THE LIFE: New Jersey Travel Blog, Pt. II: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

"I love Rio, but the traffic sucks!"

  7 MAY 2013:  After loading my bags into the taxi my wife, Leticia, had called for me, I left Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) for Galeao International Airport around 6pm.  Anybody whom spends anytime in Rio knows that the traffic is horrible.  Tonight was especially bad.  My cab driver had barely gotten us out of Copacabana when we found ourselves struck in a stop-and-go traffic nightmare.  It took two hours to reach my terminal.  Fortunately, the cab was equipped with a flip-screen DVD player in the dashboard.  The driver put on 'The Eagles Live in Concert' and I got to listen to "Hotel California" on the way to the airport.  It was a bit of a hectic ride, but actually turned out to be a pretty fun trip to the airport.  I wish all taxi drivers could be so cool!

"RULE #1: ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE NECESSARY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS!"

  By the time I arrived at the airport, I had an hour and a half until my flight departed.  I checked in my luggage, no problem.  I went through the security checkpoint, no problem.  The Immigration checkpoint? BIG PROBLEM!  After speaking with the two immigration officers behind the counter, a Federal police officer came over and escorted me to his office.  I was having difficulty speaking with the officer, so he had a second officer come in to speak in English with me.

  Being that I am currently in the process of getting my permanent visa for Brasil, there are a couple of extra details that I am responsible for tending to.  First, I need to notify the federal police whenever I am travelling until I receive my permanent visa.  This involves going to the federal police office at Galeao International Airport and filling out a notification form...it takes only a few minutes, and I took care of this earlier in the morning.  The second of my responsibilities is to have my protocol form with me when I travel so that I can get back into Brasil.  I did not know this and, as a result, did not bring with me.  Unfortunately, "I didn't know," is not an acceptable excuse, especially when dealing with police officials and immigration.  The federal police were not going to allow me to board my flight.  To say I was stressed at that moment, would be a major understatement!  Thankfully, I was able to get my wife on the phone.  She dug up the paper in question, gave them the information they needed, and the federal police cut me a break and let me go just in time to board my plane.  Pheew, that was a close call...and a seriously stupid gringo move on my part!

Rio- Atlanta- Newark

  7 MAY to 8 MAY 2013:  My 12-hour overnight Delta flight from Rio to Atlanta was fairly uneventful.  I had trouble sleeping during the flight and ended up spending half of the time watching movies...'Oz; The Great and Powerful,' 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters,' and 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' were among the films on offer that I opted to watch during the night and early morning.  I do have to say, I was really impressed with the flight attendant crew on my flight.  They were all exceedingly courteous and helpful...definitely the coolest flight crew I've ever had the fortune of dealing with!

  My flight arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta early, giving me plenty of time to hunt down a half-way decent breakfast and something healthier than McDonald's (so gross).  I found a coffee shop and purchased a fresh diced fruit cup, a peanut butter Clif bar, and a large jasmine green tea with honey and cinnamon.  I headed to my gate to eat and await my boarding time.  Before long, I was on board the plane and on my way home to New Jersey!

"I'll get there when I get there."

  My flight into Newark-Liberty International Airport arrived on schedule, and I was in and out of baggage claim rather quickly.  I bought my train ticket, and took the air train to Newark Airport train station...where I found out that the train I was waiting for was going to be 20 minutes late. No big deal.  When my train arrived, I boarded and gave my ticket to the conductor.  "You're going to switch trains in Long Branch, but there's no connecting train.  You'll have to wait an hour."  I smiled, and thanked him for the information.

  Despite the hour-long wait in the rain at Long Branch station, the time went by relatively quickly.  The train ride from Long Branch to Spring Lake seemed somewhat surreal, looking out through the window at the noticeable damage left behind from Superstorm Sandy six months prior.  I've never seen so many downed trees before...some snapped like twigs, others completely uprooted.

"Aaahhh, I'm finally here!"

  By the time the train pulled into Spring Lake, the sun had come out and, as exhausted as I was from travelling, I felt energized by the excitement of being a short drive from home.  I loaded my luggage into a cab and off we went,  pulling into the driveway of my aunt and uncle's house about five minutes later.

DURATION:

  From door to door, Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) to Spring Lake Heights (New Jersey, USA)...

22 hours

STOKED TO BE BACK HOME IN NEW JERSEY!!!

  That's all for now.  Until the next time, I'm Steve "Action" Jackson.  I'll see you out in the water...YEEEWWW!!!

A DAY IN THE LIFE: New Jersey Travel Blog, Pt. I: In-Flight Status

A DAY IN THE LIFE: New Jersey Travel Blog, Pt. I: In-Flight Status

  Whenever it comes time to travel, whether it's a flight to somewhere new or a visit home, I always get excited like a stoked little grom!  I'm like a kid on Christmas when it comes to flying, no matter where the destination might be!  I can only imagine what the "Golden Age" of air travel must have been like...back in the 1960's when international air travel was glamorous, people got dressed up to travel, gorgeous flight attendants tended to the rich and famous, and the flight was almost as much of an event as your final destination!

  I always try to enjoy every aspect of a trip as much as possible.  From the departing flight to the destination itself to the return flight home, make the best of every moment.  Enjoy the journey as well as the destination.  It's all part of the new grand adventure you are about to embark on!  In this day and age, it's very easy to get caught up in dealing with crowds, flight cancellations, security checkpoints, and paying baggage fees for just about everything imaginable (overweight, oversized, etc.) that most people seem to have forgotten the joys of travelling by airplane.  It's a shame.  A little patience and courtesy goes a long way towards making a long flight more pleasant.

  With all of that said, I'm looking forward to my overnight flight back home to New Jersey.  As usual, I'll be sure to dress comfortable and casual for the flight...but not too casual!  A nice button-down shirt and a comfy pair of jeans tend to be my in-flight apparel of choice.  I may not be dressed in a suit and tie for the trip like someone from the "Golden Age of Flight," but you will NEVER catch me boarding an airplane wearing sweatpants or pajamas like some sort of slob!  Let's keep it classy, people.

  So, with my bags all packed, I'm off to the airport.  Until tomorrow, I'm Steve "Action" Jackson.  I'll see you in New Jersey...YEEEWWW!!!