TURBO and 805bbr.com shout out!

                 So as most of you all know with all of my instagram posts and etc., I am no longer with TURBO Bodyboards.  After being with them for almost 5 awesome years, I've resigned from TURBO because they've breached their side of our agreement and because of that I am moving forward.  Basically, after qualifying for the World Tour this year and being top 24 I was supposed to be rewarded with a better contract for 2013 and I haven't been paid not even a penny.  I also heard they are done with business somehow.  I still can't put it all together on how all of this happened, but it is what it is and it's time to move on.  I had an amazing time with them and I have nothing bad to say.
                 I've been pretty shattered after hearing the news about TURBO before the pipe comp for a couple months and I'm gradually accepting it.  It's been tough times financially trying to organize my trips to follow the IBA World Tour, but I've been making it happen with the support of my family, girlfriend, friends, fans, sponsors, and everyone.  Also, mentally it was hard to accept the fact that I have no board sponsor and following the tour(which is my first year qualifying) would be tough, but I'm an optimistic person and I know something good will always come I just need to be patient and stay positive.
                For me, it's not all about the money.  It's for the love.  I was Bodyboarding recently about 3 weeks ago at my home break Churches and the waves were only 2-3ft, but perfect conditions.  There was this moment where I just sat on my board and looked at my surroundings and where I grew up surfing and thought to myself.  Why am I so shattered about all of this board sponsor talk and etc etc?  The reason why I started Bodyboarding was because I LOVED it, it's fun, and riding waves with your friends is the best feeling in the world!  This is where it all started.  My life is amazing.  I have the most amazingest support in this world from everyone.  After that session, I didn't care if I was broke, I made the decision that I am going to Chile even if I had to take out a loan.  Which I did.  The flights were super expensive so I decided to just compete in Chile.  I won't be going to Brazil.
                With all of that said, the boys at 805bbr message board started this thread http://www.805bbr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=22550 with highlights from the Chile Arica Challenge and knew my situation.  They wanted to help me out in anyway they could so they asked for my paypal account info and after that I've had so much support from them.  Words can't express how thankful I am.  If you like Bodyboarding talk and allkines of topics go to their message board and chat it up.  Also, if you wanna help the cause and donate whatever you can here is my paypal account info:

Email:  mauisponger@hotmail.com
Name:  Jacob Romero

               A BIG MAHALO and thank you to everyone for the support and positive vibes.  Without you guys I wouldn't be where I am at today.  I am staying positive and I am in talks with a couple of US Bodyboard companies at the moment.  Hopefully, things will work out, but for now I'm enjoying my time here in Chile.  The contest is looking to start on Wednesday with a HUGE swell forecasted.  Stay tuned here at IBA World Tour and watch it live at Live Webcast.  Once again thank you everyone for the support!  Aloha and Mahalo!  Life is good :)

Mahalo everyone from Chile

Arica, Chile

                So I've made it to Chile safely and have been here for about 5 days now.  After a looooooooonnnnggggg trip from California to Arica, I've been getting some good waves and enjoying my time with the Chilean locals.  I am staying with Rapo in his house with Oscar and Dave Hubbard.  It's an epic crew with good vibes and good times.  Rapo is a legend and rips in the water too.  His mom is a great cook as well.  After every surf session we come home around 2pm and we get spoiled with some of the best Chilean dishes I've ever eaten before.  The trials started today and will likely end on Sunday and the main event will run sometime next week with a good big swell on it's way.  Stay tuned at www.ibaworldtour.com  for all of the info on the comp.  Other than that, I've been having epic times and Life is good!!!!!  Enjoy all of the photos below.  aloha and mahalo

Reversing.  Frame:  The Invertt

On my way to Chile

Layover number 1.  Mexico City

Somewhere over South America

Layover number two.  Peru lima guy

Flying to Tacna, Peru

Driving through the Peruvian boarder

Straight off the plane and into some of these

Tako tuesdays with JUBB

Another Reverse guy.  Frame:  The Invertt 

Another Reverse guy.  Frame:  Oscar

Fancy running shoes

Pretty nice stray dogs

A rare site.  seeing the sunrise.

Dead seal with vultures eating

Chilean dancing at the press conference

A nice Chilean tube

Somehow.  No board sponsor, but I have mad support from my other sponsors.  For the love.

More tubes.  Frame:  Oscar

More tubes.  Frame:  Oscar

Chile takes care of the athletes

Rapos moms cooking

Another reverse guy.  Frame:  Riraw

California see

            So I've been cruising in California for about 5 days now and it's been fun times and a really productive and positive trip for my clothing sponsor Invicta Apparel.  Amy, Jacob Vandervelde, Tristan, and I have been promoting Invicta and talking with a bunch of shops here in California.  Invicta will soon be available in California which is awesome.  We have been staying with Tristan Rays family.  They are the best and have been taking good care of us.  Words can't express how thankful we were to have been staying with them.  They are awesome.  We've also been eating lots of good food, playing basketball because the waves were so flat, and driving all over California.  It was good times.

          I am leaving for Chile tomorrow and I am really stoked and amped to get some good waves and compete in the Arica Chile Challenge.  This was a last minute trip because I wasn't too sure if I wanted to go and I didn't have no money.  With the help of my good friends, girlfriend, and family, oh and taking out a loan, I was booked and 100% confirmed for Chile.  

         Below are some photos from my California trip.  Thank you everyone for the support and everything.  aloha and mahalo.  Life is good :)

             

Fancy collard shirt guy

Aloha

Last Hawaii sunset

Skype times with my girlfriend Celestial :) happy times

Tristans pets

JMV and I keeping warm with our Invicta sweaters

Flat wedge zone

Cute creek zone

Da pretty da flower.  smell like shrimp

DK legend with all of his magazine cover shots.  Jay Reale

Signing the wall zone in eBodyboard zone

Fancy Irvine Spectrum zones

Da pretty da roses

Tek shet on sidewalk

Chout horse

JKOBE putting up some layups

Mexican guy

Tristan knows whats good

Fancy coffee

Make one wish

Steve Nash putting up some layups

JKOBE with the sequence dunk

Steve Nash and JKOBE Bryant

Pristine sunset

I told see

See

Miss her

100 degree weather in California

My good friend Bryan Pezmans big dog zone

New case see

Pezmans other dog see on lap see