TEST PILOT SPOTLIGHT: KIRK ZIEGLER
GIVE US A BRIEF RUNDOWN OF WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU’RE FROM AND WHAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT.
I’m Kirk Ziegler, born and raised in Laguna Beach California. Water polo, summer Junior Guards and bodysurfing Bluebird beach were everything. My father's love of the ocean and surf culture naturally made me gravitate towards Hawaii where I have been living now for over half my life. My passion for the ocean has become my livelihood and I’ve been Lifeguarding on the North Shore of Oahu for over 13 years. To be able to share the ocean and learn from the best watermen in the world has been a true blessing. As a Lifeguard I try to pass on my knowledge of the ocean with beach goers everyday. My new adventure in life is sharing the ocean with my daughter and giving her the confidence to swim freely throughout life.
WHAT’S YOUR DISCIPLINE?
The ocean is ever-changing and I feel I have to be the same way. I have always been a believer that there is not one way to ride a wave. Whatever the day offers I’ll have my mode of fun! From bodysurfing Pipe to canoe surfing Waikiki or even foiling out in the windy deep blue.
WHAT’S THE NEXT CHALLENGE FOR YOU?
My next challenge in life is trying to become a conscious present father. Raising a daughter and having another daughter on the way is going to make me grow in ways that I can’t even imagine.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF BEING IN THE OCEAN?
If I’m not in the salt water I’m working on my off-grid property or doing some ceramics. I have always been very hands on in life.
WHAT OUTDOOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I have done some very long ocean swims and coastal paddles. For a few consecutive years me and a group of friends have swam and camped the Na Pali coast or paddled and camped the entire north side of Molokai.I’m also very honored to hold a Surfboard Water Polo competition every summer in Waikiki. The sport was originally created by Duke Kahanamoku and his brother to entertain the tourists in Waikiki. Water polo on surfboards. One of a kind Hawaiian sport!
WHAT PIECE OF FLORENCE GEAR DO YOU TEST THE MOST?
I have recently been loving the UPF tops. They give me full coverage in the water and on land and feel like I’m wearing barely anything. I wear the boardshorts ever chance I get because wet or dry they are very comfortable.
I’m Kirk Ziegler, born and raised in Laguna Beach California. Water polo, summer Junior Guards and bodysurfing Bluebird beach were everything. My father's love of the ocean and surf culture naturally made me gravitate towards Hawaii where I have been living now for over half my life. My passion for the ocean has become my livelihood and I’ve been Lifeguarding on the North Shore of Oahu for over 13 years. To be able to share the ocean and learn from the best watermen in the world has been a true blessing. As a Lifeguard I try to pass on my knowledge of the ocean with beach goers everyday. My new adventure in life is sharing the ocean with my daughter and giving her the confidence to swim freely throughout life.
WHAT’S YOUR DISCIPLINE?
The ocean is ever-changing and I feel I have to be the same way. I have always been a believer that there is not one way to ride a wave. Whatever the day offers I’ll have my mode of fun! From bodysurfing Pipe to canoe surfing Waikiki or even foiling out in the windy deep blue.
WHAT’S THE NEXT CHALLENGE FOR YOU?
My next challenge in life is trying to become a conscious present father. Raising a daughter and having another daughter on the way is going to make me grow in ways that I can’t even imagine.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF BEING IN THE OCEAN?
If I’m not in the salt water I’m working on my off-grid property or doing some ceramics. I have always been very hands on in life.
WHAT OUTDOOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I have done some very long ocean swims and coastal paddles. For a few consecutive years me and a group of friends have swam and camped the Na Pali coast or paddled and camped the entire north side of Molokai.I’m also very honored to hold a Surfboard Water Polo competition every summer in Waikiki. The sport was originally created by Duke Kahanamoku and his brother to entertain the tourists in Waikiki. Water polo on surfboards. One of a kind Hawaiian sport!
WHAT PIECE OF FLORENCE GEAR DO YOU TEST THE MOST?
I have recently been loving the UPF tops. They give me full coverage in the water and on land and feel like I’m wearing barely anything. I wear the boardshorts ever chance I get because wet or dry they are very comfortable.
Kirk Zeigler: our favorite waterman and the best of humankind! Go Kirk.
Wow, what an awesome person. Grateful for his service in the ocean and for his dedication to being a good father.
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