Bobby Martinez

Bobby Martinez (born May 26, 1982) is a professional surfer from Santa Barbara, California.

Career

Martinez began surfing at age 6. When he was old enough, he joined the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) where he went on to win a record seven national titles. After several injury prone years he joined the Association of Surfing Professionals in 2005. His first major title as a professional was the O'Neill Coldwater Classic in 2005. He joined the World Championship Tour in 2006, finishing the year with #5 ranking which earned him Rookie of the Year honors with wins in Teahupoo and Mundaka. He also won in Mundaka in 2007 and In May 2009, Bobby won the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

On September 7, 2011 Bobby Martinez was suspended from the ASP. Disillusioned with a World No. 22 ranking that left him in danger of being relegated to surfing's second tier after this event, Martinez had already announced New York would be his swansong. While being interviewed after his heat he blasted officials during a publicly broadcast interview on Long Beach at the Quiksilver New York Pro. The outspoken Santa Barbara Surfer has been a long-time critic of the ASP's controversial rankings system, but his profane rant - streamed on beachside big screens and over the Internet live - left event organisers and ASP officials furious.

Personal life

of Mexican American descent. He married his wife Cleo in February 2009.

External links

• Surfline Profile
• Team Reef Brazil Profile