Description courtesy of Quiksilver:

Strider Wasilewski
DOB: 4-16-72
Hometown: Santa Monica, CA
Favorite Food: Sushi

Age is just a number, but turning 30 does funny things to people. Just ask Strider Raspberry Wasilewski, the Venice-bred charger named for the king of all mortals in the Lord of the Rings. He's getting married, moving into a house near a private beach north of Malibu, longing for fatherhood, and preparing for his future. "I think I might actually do a little work next year," he admits. Hopefully, sliding into a grassroots team guy position at Quiksilver won't cut into his true passions - sinister left-hand barrels such as Pipe and Teahupoo.

Not even.

Strider will continue to build his year around pulling in, but in the process he will focus on cultivating future talent for the company. "I got a good thing going with all the guys in the surfing world in terms of being on their level and being able to bring it back to the office." He'll continue the old in-and-out at his favorite haunts, but a recent epiphany during the Quiksilver Pro at Tavarua reminded him of his mission: "I was blown away by the politics when it comes to judging. Some people are into the game, but not me. I just love to surf waves that get me going, to feel the adrenalin, then sit back under a palm tree enjoying life." Come to think of it, turning 30 had nothing to do with it. They've been calling him "Gramps" for years, and now we know why.

Click here to check out a few photos of Strider at work.

> Strider talking about the wave that nearly took his life.

Not knowing seemed to be the key to surviving, ignorance seemed to be bliss! Manoa Drollet came by the house on his ski and asked if I wanted to go tow, I said yes! Bruce Irons was there and thought Manoa was going to ask him, but Manoa wanted to get towed as well. Out we went and checked the line up, for only what turned out to be a few small ones. After towing him in to a few bombs it was my turn. Not really looking at it long enough to know how big it was I was on it, my first wave let me know how serious the water was we were dealing with! Then the clouds came over, giving it a dark loominous feeling. Sitting there waiting, making small talk so we don't think to much about it, knowing your next wave could be your last!

Bam, you come over the first swell of a set and you see what looks like a New York City block moving your way. That's when you know it is going to be a big one, that's what I saw! As I popped up to catch the wave my mind went blank, all motion stopped and it was like I was the only thing moving. It was kind of like the Matrix. The next thing I know I am wondering how the hell my board is still going forward against so much force going the other way. I see the inside bowl and try and go through it knowing it is my only chance of escaping and surviving! As I am coming through the the tube it spits on me and blinds me for what seemed to be an eternity. The last thing I saw was Raimana Van Bolstaler running from my wave toward the beach on the Jet -ski and the Right coming at me as the wave closed out onto dry reef!!!

Then the real ride began under water, with my eyes open the whole time all there was was blackness! It felt like I was the California cheese and the reef was the cheese grader. As the water became lighter it was my only worry that the next wave was going to break on me before I got my next wave. As I came up I was looking toward the beach, I turned around only to see a 24ft. face white water double up closing out on my head, nothing to do but take it so I just turned to the beach standing in waist deep water and took it!!!!!! The next thing I knew I was on the jet ski with Manoa going to the beach and he asked me if I wanted to go back out, I just looked at him and he knew I was done for the day. When I got to the beach all my cuts started to bleed and it looked like I had just been hit by a bunker buster!!!!

- Strider

Click here to read about Quiksilver's Strider Wasilewski.

Click here to read about Billabong's David Rastovich

Click here to read about Jason Bogle

Click here to read about Keith Malloy

Click here to read about Conan Hayes

Click here to read about Ben Bourgeois

Please Note: Surf Aid International reserves the right to substitue any and all named surfers in the event of illness, injury, or irreconcilable scheduling conflicts.Strider Wasilewski, Ben Bourgeois, David Rastovich, and Jason Bogle have committed to make a good faith effort to go on the trip. In the unlikely event Strider Wasilewski, Ben Bourgeois, David Rastovich, and Jason Bogle, or all of them are unable to go on the trip, the winner(s) (1) may withdraw from the trip and forfeit the prize and Surf Aid International will return the value of one (1) entry to the winner(s) or (2) the winner may proceed to go on the trip without any right or claim arising out of the failure of Strider Wasilewski, Ben Bourgeois, David Rastovich, and Conan Hayes, Keith Malloy, or all to go on the trip.