Gulfster: Hey Cory, first off thanks for taking time after you got home from Bells to do this interview. So as far as the surfshop, is there an opening date you are shooting for?

Cory Lopez: Yes, we would like to open in June. Whether its the 1st or the
21st I do not know, were moving as fast as we can.

Gulfster: Do you get to surf much these days on Indian Rocks Beach?

Cory Lopez: As much as I can. This winter we had some classic gulf coast days in late Dec and early Jan and that was when the tour is on break so
I surfed a lot then. Christmas day was real fun at Central.

Gulfster: What is it like coming home from a place like Australia, I mean is it hard to get motivated to even surf the gulf if it is up after a place like that?

Cory Lopez: First off it is a long flight home but while you think Australia
is always sick, well its not. Its just like every where else there is good days and there is bad days. It is kind of like their bad days are like our good days and I have seen it flat quite a few times and if you have seen how cold and bad Bells was the other day that me and Bruce went out and were the only guys out just wondering what we were doing out there. But Im always siked to surf the gulf with all my friends, it makes it more fun.

Gulfster: Why did you choose the shop to be out on Indian Rocks Beach?

Cory Lopez: This is my home town I have lived here all my life and it is always been a dream for my dad and I so when we saw the opportunity to open a store just down the street we had to do it.

Gulfster: Of all the WCT events and locations, what is your favorite place to surf on the schedule?

Cory Lopez: I love Australia and the gold coast especially. That is where the super bank is they have really fun waves all up and down that coast and great accommodations, good food and best of all they speak English. It is the all around best place. But for just surf I would say Tahiti and Fiji.

Gulfster: Is Shea or any of your family traveling with you to any of the events?

Cory Lopez: No, this year I am just traveling with Andy. Shea fell off tour last year and is going to be doing the WQS tour

Gulfster: While on tour who will run your surf shop?

Cory Lopez: My fiance Jen, Dustin Howard, my Dad (Pete Lopez) and I am sure there will be some more people in there working.

Gulfster: What will be your main focus on goods you will carry in your shop?

Cory Lopez: We are gonna try and carry as many boards as possible and I mean surf, skate and skim boards and of coarse we’re gonna have all the major brands of clothing in: Men's and Women's and the girls are working on a pretty solid Bikini section (i.e. Boards, Clothes, Surf Products or just all around everything)

Gulfster: Since you are on the World Tour with all the pros, will you get a lot of guest appearances and autograph signings from Pro surfers to your shop?

Cory Lopez: Yeah that is for sure we are definitely gonna have some good promos and I think the first one will be in November after Brazil with Andy for sure and possibly a few other top guys and one old school power house but they have yet to confirm so I am not gonna throw any names out yet. Lets hope we get a swell while they are here!

Gulfster: How often do you plan on actually being at the shop and working?

Cory Lopez: Well when I am not on tour I plan on being in and out of there every day.

Gulfster: Will you be the manager of your shop?

Cory Lopez: No, I do not have the time to do that.

Gulfster: Are you going to sponsor kids surfing or have a surf team?

Cory Lopez: For sure we are gonna have a sick team of gulfcoast Shredders!

Gulfster: Ok, other than the surfshop, how is it going on tour so far this year?

Cory Lopez: Well we started off with a week long swell before the Quicksilver Pro that was really fun but then the comp started and the waves went to crap. I had a heat at Duramba against Daren Oraferty and it turned out to be the worst heat of my career. A point total out of 2 waves, 17th place for me no bueno next comp Bells Beach and the waves were fun. I got a first round win over Wardo that was a nail biter with me braking a board and having to run the rocks and everything. Next heat I get is against Occy my favorite surfer of all time. And I know it is going to be tough! (Occy and bells are famous together anyway). The heat starts with a huge set gulfcoast 15 ft 2 waves go by to big and bouncy the third wave is a little smaller and on the reef but looks foamy. I am in position but choose not to go. Occy turns and goes 2 minutes later, Occy jumps off the jet ski and I here the score "8 points". I am pissed I had position and didn't’t go. Bad thoughts go through my head but stayed positive waiting for the next wave. About 6 minutes later a wave comes my way. I ride the wave as best as I can almost falling on two of the moves. I get an 8.88 2 minutes later. Occy gets 8.01, and there is 15 minutes to go. I got priority on the next wave and need a 7.27 to win. I wait and wait and with one minutes to go a wave comes and looks just like my other one but something happened. It just did not hit the reef right and broke all weird. So I got a 4.5 and lost. But I had a chance to beat my favorite surfer. It just did not happen. I am back at home on the gulf now and just got my ticket to Tahiti. Hopefully things go better there and I can bring the gulf back another Teahupoo trophy!

Gulfster: Thanks Cory