Alex van Rijswijck signs with Billabong

Heard you just got picked up by Billabong, awesome stuff! So what’s the deal with the sponsorship – what all does it entail?

I’m super stoked to be sponsored by Billabong now and its going to be super cool to be surfing for them .They gonna look after me for 4 years. Stacks of kit and gear! Head to toe in and out of the water. When I saw the contract for the first I couldn’t believe it. Andy Irons! Parko! Taj!

How did it all come about? Did they just like call you up and go “Hey, we’d dig you on the team?”

Josh phoned my dad on Monday and asked to speak to me. Josh asked me if I would like to be on the Billabong Team. Didn’t know what to say so said something like “that would be sick”. I can’t remember much more

You mention there’s some travel allowance in there – does it mean you’ll have Bong helping get you to comps around the country?

The PE gang, (My bro and the Coffey boys) are going to try to get to all contests. So I will travel with them, but I can go with the rest of the team. When I get to the contests, Billabong will take over. I’ll be staying at the “Billabong House” and they sort me out with food and stuff. I hope they know how much I eat!!

Now that you’ll be travelling all over for comp’s, what does that mean as far as schooling goes? You gonna stick to the program or do home schooling? Your dad says you do pretty good in school?

Yeah schools pretty fun and I don’t wanna do home schooling. I just hope Pearson will understand that that I will miss some days before contests. My dad has made an appointment to talk to them about it.

Do get to do any surf trips with the Billabong crew now?

I hope so. I have not heard of any yet. That would be so sick

So what are you plans for this year – set any goals yet?

I want to do well at school and make the EP Junior Team, The EP Longboarding team, and do well at the SA Champs if I make the team. I am also going to start working much harder on aerial moves

And long term? Where does Alex wanna be with his surfing in 2 years time?

2 years ago, I had not surfed a contest, and was scared of Pipe! I would never have thought that I would be where I am now. I was surprised and stoked to win the SA Grom U14 title and that gave me a lekker boost. Making the EP Team was a highlight and the SA Longboarding Champs was so much fun. I got a 2nd and am amped to practise more this time and do better!

My plan originally was to make the EP Team before Matric. Now I’m not so sure anymore. I would really like to make the SA Team, but the ou’s are so good. I know I’ll be having as much fun as I am now. I want to make my sponsors happy!

K, so give us a quick run-down of your other sponsors. Dennis the Menace (aka the Boardroom) still gonna be doing your boards?

Dennis will still make my boards. He has been so good to me. He surfs with me a lot and it’s always fun. He takes me to surf some gnarly stuff on the wildside and always helps out and keeps an eye out for Paul and I.

A few months ago I got such a sweet deal with VonZipper, Dakine and Kustom. I get to keep them as sponsors and add Billabong. I still can’t believe it!

We’re super stoked for you kid – go big or go home, but have the biggest jol doing it. Any shout outs?

• Dennis! Can never thank him enough for the interest he takes in me and Paul, and for such kiff boards
• Josh who always encourages me, and takes me surfing (and tow-in surfing!)
• Billabong, VonZipper, Dakine and Kustom. Thanks!!!! 
• Shannon, the most awesome coach
• CYOH – the no 1 club in the country! They help me all the time
• The PE Gang and Nyko. You ou’s push me hard! Thanks for the support
• And my dad and family for supporting me at the comps and cheering me on.