San Clemente, California native Kolohe Andino has been around the waves his whole life. The son of former World Tour national champion, Dino Andino, the 27-year-old heads to the Tokyo Games in pursuit of his own glory on a new stage for surfing.
As part of our preparation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, NBC Olympics sent questionnaires to a wide range of athletes to learn more about their lives on and off the field of play.
Here’s some of what we found out about Kolohe Andino:
Have your parents been supportive of your surfing career?
Very! My dad was a former professional surfer that taught me everything I know about the sport. He was my first coach and still helps from time to time.
How has your hometown of San Clemente shaped who you are today?
It made me who I am in every way. If I didn't grow up in San Clemente, I would have likely never been as into surfing as I am. I was lucky to be able to walk to our local break and surf every day of my life growing up.
How much time do you train?
I usually wake up around 5 a.m., get a surf in at dawn, eat, and then hit the gym for a few hours. If the surf is good at night I will usually go for a second surf in the evening.
What is your earliest memory of surfing?
I was a baby when my dad pushed me into my first wave. I could barely walk, but I was out surfing! My dad's love for the sport definitely played a huge role in my passion for it.
What is your earliest memory of watching the Olympics?
I used to watch them with my family as a kid and think about how cool it would be to be up on the podium someday. That was before surfing was included, so it's a dream to be able to compete now.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome?
Going from being the top amateur in the sport to a professional where I wasn't winning everything. It took a while for me to get past the mental block and mature, but I did!
What advice would you give to young players in the sport?
Keep with it. Sports give you the chance to channel your energy and creativity into something that is ultimately very good for you both physically and mentally.