Inspirations & Photography

When it comes to favorite food choices such as waffles and pizza these two sisters share different tastes, but when it comes to surfing their dreams are very much the same.  Both Elle and Rossi Klein started surfing at a very young age, Elle was 10 and Rossi 8.  Their inspiration came from both their mother Arlene (who by the way can really rip!) and other surfers, Elle unabashedly admits that the “hot boys” also played a role in her interest to surf.  When asked what pro surfers they admire and look up to Rossi responded and said, “I like Jordy Smith and Sterling Spencer because they seem funny. I also like Stephanie Gilmoore, she rips and seems like she has a good attitude.” Elle said she admires Jack Freestone, “…because he surfs really good and is really cute!”

In 2006 both girls entered their very first surf competition at Beachblast in St. Augustine, Florida.  Elle took 1st and Rossi 2nd.  In 2009 Rossi entered Surfing America Championships held at Huntington Beach, California and placed 2nd for the girls 12 and under division.  Also in 2009 Elle entered the ESA Regionals and placed 4th for girls division 14 and under.  Currently Rossi is 3xs Regional Champion of girls 14 and under ESA-SAFL. In 2011 Elle held Regional Champion in junior women’s 15-17 ESA-SAFL.  In 2012 both entered their first pro competition at Kona in New Smyrna Beach where Rossi made it to the semi-finals.

Elle (R) and Rossi (L)

Since Ponce Inlet is one of the girls favorite places to surf  along the coast of Florida, I shared with them a recent comment from a local woman surfer (who also surfs at Ponce) and that during my conversation with her she said that both Elle and Rossi have really “stepped it up” and that their surfing has really improved over the past year. When I asked both girls how they felt about this comment they both agreed, Rossi said,  “I do feel like I have been improving this year since my family bought a beach house and I’ve gotten home-schooled.” And Elle humorously responded and said, “That girl knows talent, lol…”

Not only do these sisters enjoy surfing in Florida, they both expressed how much they really like Puerto Rico. Elle says she likes surfing Hobos,“…because I feel like I really fit in there.” Rossi says “Puerto Rico beats Florida by a long shot” and that her favorite spots are Middles and Surfers. But when in Florida, they both prefer surfing at Ponce and New Smyrna.

Although surfing is their number one passion, it appears that when they’re  not on their boards rippin’ it, they’re busy flying airplanes, painting, eating, wake-skating and scuba diving, and if that’s not enough to keep them busy, they also expressed they enjoy photography, filming and playing with their dog Princesa.

Elle at Ponce Inlet

Rossi at Ponce Inlet

When I asked what their long-term goals and dreams are when it comes to surfing they both said they want surfing to always be a part of their life, Elle: “I want to have a lifestyle where I can support myself by surfing, I’m not sure if I want to go on tour though.” Rossi: “My dream is to go on the WCT (World Championship Tour) and win a few titles. I am never going to quit surfing as long as I live!”

Kein’s Surfing Puerto Rico~Video

I think that many times people underestimate the love of God. Mainly because throughout generations many of us have been raised with the mind-set that we can never measure up. No matter what kind of families we’ve come from some of us were raised around those who were very critical and judgemental and as a result we’ve grown up thinking that God must be the same way. If this were true He would not have sent His One and only Son to pay for the sins of mankind “For God so loved the world that he gave his One and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16.  Because of what Jesus did God does not judge us for our wrongs, in fact He sees us as something  of great value: He see’s us as treasure! You may be asking yourself “How can this be?” In the very beginning, in the book of Genesis the Bible says that after God created the earth He decided he wanted to share all the wonderful things that He made and that is when He said, “Let us make mankind (male and female) in our image” Think about that for a moment: God the creator of heaven and earth decided to make you and me in his image, WOW!

After the fall of Adam and Eve and because of  God’s amazing love he began to carry out his plan to restore the good relationship that he had with his creation by sending Jesus. Jesus, the Son of the living God spent his ministry demonstrating God’s love everywhere he went, “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 NLT. Everyone that came to him asking for mercy he gave it! He healed the lepers, opened blind eyes, raised loved ones from the dead, and even delivered those that were tormented with evil spirits. Why?  Because he was demonstrating how powerful Gods love is!

That same love is available today! The word of God says, “I Am the Lord and I do not change” Malachi 3:6 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” Hebrews 13:8.  All he asks of us is to simply believe it. When I first became a Christian more than 30 years ago I had to learn to accept his amazing love by faith and when I did I began to experience that love and still do today. I learned to trust that his promises are true and that he has the power to “work everything together for good…” and that he is faithful. He’s not like others that say one thing and do another, he keeps his promises and the key to having those promises activated in our lives is we must believe that he will do what he said he will do, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” Hebrews 11:6 Begin to learn to accept his love…see yourself as he sees you, something of great value and that his love for you will never fail!