Girl On: Esther Hahn
Nov 02 2007 / Los Angeles, CA
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But while life as a competitive surfer beckoned, Hahn picked another direction to go: college. And not just any college, but Yale University. While Hahn's surfing may have helped her stand out, it was her studies and smarts that got her in.
In case you're wondering, Yale does have a surf team and Hahn has continued to refine her sport, but she's also started to enjoy getting behind the camera to watch the ocean do its thing. Find out more about Esther and how she came to be Yale's best surfer (at least, in our opinion).
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Lat34: So, Yale... How did a surfer end up in an Ivy League school?
Esther: Well, I always attended strong college preparatory schools namely my high school Polytechnic in Pasadena and took pretty much every Advance Placement course offered. At the same time, I think Yale noticed that sponsored, competitive surfing required a lot of focus and determination on my part and that put me ahead of the pack.
Lat34: What are you studying?
Esther: I’m a history major and, for the most part, have focused on Japanese-Korean relations (mainly because I’m of Korean descent and because I love Japanese culture). Right now I’m writing my senior thesis on the history of sushi.
Lat34: When are you graduating and when you do, what do you plan to do?
Esther: If all goes as planned, I should be graduating May of 2008. Right after graduation, I plan to take an around-the-world surf trip—Africa, Europe, Maldives, Indo, Peru, etc.—and to document it on film. Then I plan on settling in L.A. and returning to a pre-college schedule of surfing twice a day while studying for the LSATs and working (not sure where). I guess my long term goal is to become a lawyer but a lot can change from now until then!
Lat34: Have you been able to do many competitions while at school?
Esther: I have competed in ESA (Eastern Surfing Association) contests while here at Yale along with the random East Coast pro contest here and there. But I’ve found much more gratification from taking a beautiful picture or filming a perfect wave than to win a contest.
Lat34: East Coast vs. West Coast: what's the difference and what's more fun?
Esther: In terms of surfing, the waves are definitely better on the West Coast! Although sometimes a hurricane swell will send some nice waves to the East, for the most part, the West is so much more consistent with more powerful waves. But the four seasons here in New England are beautiful! And New York City is a total trip—just a 24/7 nonstop machine of excitement. But at the end of the day, I’m still L.A.’s biggest fan.
Lat34: What has been your best contest experience?
Esther: I’d have to say winning my first title when I was 14. It was my first full season of doing contests and the feeling of winning was so new and exciting.
Lat34: How about your biggest slam?
Esther: When I was around 16 years old I went to Costa Rica with the Hobgood twins and Surfing/SG Magazine. I remember one day it was double-overhead Hermosa and I was just getting absolutely pounded. There was one wave in particular that I had to duck-dive that will forever remain imprinted on my mind. I absolutely thought I was going to be obliterated into oblivion.
Lat34: Shortboard vs. Longboard - you've done both: which is your favorite?
Esther: Oh gosh, this one is hard! I love the mobility that shortboarding affords but at this point in my life I love nothing better than to noseride forever on a perfect pointbreak right.
Lat34: What are your favorite places to travel and why?
Esther: Oahu’s north shore and Costa Rica will always hold fond memories for me. These are two places where I really honed my surf skills and made lasting friendships. But for the future I’m excited about exploring the culture of Europe--especially the countries that don’t have surf and therefore I have never visited.
Lat34: Where would you like to go that you haven't been?
Esther: For the culture, definitely Italy. It has been a long time dream of mine to visit the ancient cities of Rome and Florence and to also visit the Amalfi coast. For surfing, I’d definitely like to go to Tavarua. It’s funny how I’m stronger on rights on a longboard but stronger on lefts on a shortboard.
Lat34: What surfers do you most admire and why?
Esther: Sofia Mulanovich for pushing the level of women’s surfing. Dane Reynolds for his explosive surfing and for staying humble. And of course my best friend Anastasia Ashley for blending the lines between athlete and personality.
Lat34: What's on your iPod right now?
Esther: My friend’s band Rooney just released a new album, “Calling the World.” The band’s sound is really fun and gets me pumped to go surfing or to go on a run. I’m also constantly playing Colbie Caillat and Taylor Swift for those long rides to and from the beach (the closest, quality wave is an hour and a half away).
Lat34: Any advice for the Groms that want to be a pro surfer?
Esther: My best advice is to stay focused and to steer clear of bad influences. By focusing on improving your surf skills and staying on track with school, only good things can happen in terms of picking up sponsors and being featured in magazines.
Lat34: Do you skate or do any other actions sports?
Esther: I find skateboarding to be a really handy tool for cross training for surfing and for transportation around campus. But my real second love is snowboarding and growing up I would always take breaks from surfing with mountain trips to Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. I definitely wouldn’t mind living a snowboarding lifestyle for a couple of years before settling down in a city with a family of my own—obviously near a good wave so my kids will be able to surf!
--Greg Baerg
