Zac Efron: "I Got Leied"

Thu., Jun. 17, 2010 3:30 PM PDT by Marc Malkin



Zac Efron has been in Hawaii for the last few days surfing, cliff jumping and yes, getting leied.

The 22-year-actor was honored last night at the Maui Film Festival with the Shining Star Award.

Not only did I conduct the night's official Q&A with Zac, but I also got the chance to chat with him backstage before the big shebang. Read on to get the scoop…

"I've never had a better day surfing," said Efron, who brought his younger brother Dylan, 18, on the trip. "If you're going to go, you need to go here. The conditions are unbelievable. In California, the waves kind of toss you around. There always seems to be an offshore breeze.

"Here in Maui, I was out there and the water was so glassy and clear," continued Efron, who took surfing lessons with celebrity surf instructor Kiva Rivers. "It was like a bathtub. The waves just stay wide open for long rides in."

Rest and relaxation aside, Efron said he looks for career inspiration from people like Leonardo DiCaprio. However, he insists he has no master plans for how he wants it to all unfold.

"In my career, I've never been the man with the plan," he said. "I've never been one to say, I want to be here in 10 years. People always ask, ‘Where do you want to be in 10 years? What do you see in the future?' I don't know. I always like to throw caution to the wind and follow my heart."

Efron will next be seen in the drama Charlie St. Cloud with Ray Liotta and Kim Basinger. "I'm loving the ride right now," he beamed. "I'm loving it."

On stage, he cracked, "I've been here five minutes [and] I got leied."

Before the awards ceremony, which took place outside at the Celestial Cinema on the Wailea Golf Course, Efron hit the opening night party at Capische? restaurant along with Malin Akerman, Josh Radnor and Dan Byrd.

Later on, Efron mingled and even did some dancing at Tommy Bahama before calling it a night.

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The Rivers from Maui twins double dip at Honolua Bay. Photo: DoomaPhotos

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photos: Eric Aeder

KIVA RIVERS

At 26, Kiva is considered the next generation of ocean pioneers. With Buzzy Kerbox as his mentor, it isn't a surprise that Kiva excels in all water sports and is a fierce competitor with a great Hawaiian-style, positive outlook.

He is definitely carving his mark in the water as a champion longboarder, amazing shortboarder and overall talent as a well-rounded waterman.

Kiva is also a great paddler and proved this in the recent Molokai race (a grueling 32-mile race and true test for the serious waterman) where he took second place in his respective team stock division.

With deep family roots in the island culture, Kiva is active in the community with kids through his family history and his father's literature seminars, and plays a major role in sharing his love for the water with others.

When Kiva isn't in the water, you might see him in a magazine as a successful model, but his true passion remains close to home where he can take advantage of the ocean and all it has to offer.

Kiva's talent, energy, and positive vibe are the true testament of an authentic waterman, and are the fundamentals of the Honolua Surf Co. brand philosophy.

KIVA RIVERS INTERVIEW: Catalina Race 2008

Honolua: How many years have you been doing Catalina & what's your best race/describe?
Rivers: I've never done the Catalina race before, so I'm really looking forward to competing in it this year! My best race would be either the Molokai race last year, battling it out with Keoni was really fun!, the Maliko race is really fun too because it's in my backyard, and everyone from all over the world gets to experience what the glides are like over here on Maui, it's fun to hear the feed back from everyone on the Maui bumps. The difference between paddling in Hawaii compared to California is: there are a lot more bumps here in Hawaii, with 15-30 mph. winds just about every day, there's always something to glide on, not to mention the warmer water feeling a lot better to paddle in ( you can still feel your hands) . Where as California winds tend to be a lot lighter, and instead of having the bumps pushing with you, the Catalina race (from what I've heard) the winds are either not there or there blowing in your face. So it's more of a mental game that you play with your self in believing that your indeed catching glides into the wind. Which you are, but it just doesn't feel like it. And of course the water is a lot colder, so that can be a challenge within it's self for paddlers coming over from Hawaii.

Honolua: Does Joe make the boards you race for the Catalina different than in Hawaii, and How?
Rivers: The differences between my boards for Maui compared to California are: there's a bit more rocker in the front of the board for catching those big glides that were use to over here on Maui, where as in California the boards have a lot less rocker in the nose for the flatter water to be able to plain more, and not push against the water as much. Joe Bark does shape my boards, he's an incredible shaper!

Honolua: Do you think paddling and racing etc, can spread across America to inland places lakes rivers?
Rivers: Yes, I do be live that paddle boarding could be enjoyed in lakes across the world. It's a great way to stay in shape during off season from any other sports you might play, or just being able to get a good work out while staying wet. Take Hood River in Oregon for example, there is a ton of wind there for paddle boarding. You could drop a car off on one side on the lake and then paddle down wind to the other side for fun and while at the same time it's great work out.

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Kiva had succeeded in overcoming incredible opposition across all the sports to be crowned Jeep’s Ultimate Waterman. The crowd went wild…the fact that a Maui boy had ended up winning the inaugural Tropical Energy Ocean Games in the company of amongst the most respected waterman in the world was not only a testament to Kiva’s incredible and well rounded talent, but also of Maui’s proven track record of nurturing complete waterman with impressive skills across the board. The challenging conditions that hit Maui’s shores day in day out create the perfect training ground for watermen, forcing those willing to face the challenge to adapt and master riding in the widest possible variety of conditions. Congratulations to Kiva Rivers who is now sporting a brand new Jeep 4x4 Wrangler Unlimited for his efforts!

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