Raimana Van Bastolaer can get anyone barreled. In fact, the jovial Surf Ranch coach’s ability to get students up on a surfboard apparently earned him the affectionate nickname “blue pill,” given to him by Cindy Crawford, no less. That was just one of the many revelations from his recent interview on Sterling Spencer’s podcast Pinch My Salt (which also included the wild story of a time he almost got flattened by a Jet Ski in Tahiti). However, perhaps the most surprising piece of information given up by Raimana was his pick for the most talented celebrity tutee he’s encountered at the Ranch.
The moment came well into the interview, on the heels of other stories from the infectiously good-natured Tahitian. When asked which celebrity surprised him the most with their ability to pick up surfing, he didn’t have to think long.
“Prince Harry,” he replied. “Prince Harry got it good. He doesn’t surf. He only came maybe two times and I got him so fast. The most important thing: he has good balance. He crushed himself really good and the body placement in a barrel. I mean, he’s not doing top and bottom turn, you know, but he learns so fast, which I was really surprised.”
Of course, we’ve all seen the footage from those two trips. In fact, Harry’s ability to get barreled became the subject of some debate amongst more experienced surfers. Being able to side-step years of pain and frustration, in favor of getting dragged into a tube by Raimana on day one, is enough to trigger a full-on existential crisis for a lifelong wave rider.
On the other hand, what’s the point of judging who has earned what wave? Because if Raimana is any indication, there’s enough stoke to go around.
