As a surfer, Shruti Greenwood can compete with the best in the state, but she’s different from the school of fish where barrel runs, off-the-lip rips and hard cutbacks make everybody look the same.
The scouting report for the 22-year-old from Kailua-Kona is this: She rips on gnarly waves.
A couple of weeks ago at Honolii Beach Park, she won the women’s open at the 30th annual Big Island Quiksilver-Big Island Toyota Surfing Trials, the event run by Orchid Land Surf Shop owner Stan Lawrence.
The golden prize is airfare and entry to a surfing event on Oahu’s North Shore. It’s surfing’s equivalent of getting a free berth to play in golf’s Masters or the U.S. Open. Basically, it’s a chance to become a legend.
Greenwood, whose first name means “Enlightenment heard at the foot of the master,” in Sanskrit, has captured three pro-am titles. Last year, she entered the Women’s Pipeline and advanced to the semifinals. Another year, she competed at Kewalo Basins.
“She’s very capable. She’s as good as any girl on Oahu,” Lawrence said. “She’s very bright and wants to be a doctor. That comes first. That’s her main focus in life. She’s different than anybody else.”
If not a doctor or surfer, Greenwood, who’s part Indian, could trade in her exotic looks as a model. But like most amateurs she aspires to land a sponsor and surf in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour.
Most surfing-based companies look to sponsor title-contenders, someone who could promote their brand. Greenwood not only is photogenic but also has an engaging personality. She’d be a smash hit touting someone’s new sunglasses, board shorts or pair of rubber slippers.
Maybe Greenwood could someday be all three: pro surfer, model and doctor.
School first
Greenwood recently graduated from UH-Hilo with a degree in math and chemistry. She’s going for a PhD in biochemistry at UC Santa Barbara. She’ll leave in mid-August with an eye toward a career as a biotech researcher or research physician.
She was born in Indiana, but moved to Kalapana when she was 7 years old with her mom, Cheryl Greenwood, an artist and substitute teacher.
When she was 12, Greenwood started surfing at Pohoiki. From there she started traveling and competing at Hawaii Surfing Association and National Scholastic Surfing Association events.
Like most neighbor island surfers, once Greenwood was on Oahu she discovered that there’s nothing like the North Shore, home to the best surf spots in the world. Her favorite was Velzyland, famous for its two-way break, where the goofy footer (right foot forward) could drop in to her heart’s delight — going either direction.
In fact, the North Shore became her playground. She attended Kahuku High as a senior, and graduated with a 3.8 grade point average in 2009. Her GPA could have been higher had she not, sort of, goofed off.
“I’m one of those lucky people. I didn’t need to study and I still got good grades,” Greenwood said. “I was living on Oahu my senior year and it was a lot of fun. But I was less motivated in school. Then I moved back home and went back to UH-Hilo. I found that I really like school.”
Busy bee
Ask Greenwood what she does for fun out of the water, and she sounds like she’s got a lifetime battery that constantly drives her. Either that or she’s solar-powered.
She’s been dancing for the last 15 years for Pahoa kumu hula Ehulani Stephany. Greenwood is also a competitive runner and triathlete.
At the recent Kona marathon, she won her 20-24 age division in the half-marathon with a personal best of 1 hour, 52 minutes and 43 seconds. It was a PR by eight minutes over her half-marathon time at the Big Island International Marathon in March.
She hasn’t run a full marathon yet. That’s on her bucket list. However, she’s completed three triathlons, and has signed up for the inaugural Hilo triathlon July 13.
“I have a lot of free time, and I’m doing several things I really enjoy — surfing, running, biking, hula, swimming and I love to study,” said Greenwood, who points to her mom as her inspirational model. “My mom taught me to never give up, be disciplined and pursue your goals with everything you have.”
It’s pretty obvious that mom’s life lesson has sunk in. Greenwood makes the most out of life. And what Lawrence said rings true, “She’s different than anybody else.”
Still, Greenwood is smart enough to know that the best job in the world is one you absolutely love.
“I’d love to surf and find a sponsor who would pay for my entry fees, living expenses and commutes,” she said. “I’d do that in a heartbeat. There’s nothing more fun to do than surf and get paid to do it. That would be amazing.”