Let’s meet our latest recruit, goofy-footer Mitchell Woods
Nationality
USA – grew up in the mountains near Lake Tahoe on a snowboard, but have since converted to surfing… more or less.
Current Position
Engineer Paramedic
Education and Work Experience
Bachelor’s Degree from Cal Poly University
EMT training at UCLA
Paramedic certification from Allan Hancock College
10 years as a Firefighter Medic
Medical Interests
Providing care in the field. As an EMT, watching doctors intubate, start IVs and deliver treatment in a controlled, sterile environment always fascinated me. It felt like the next level would be doing this outside of the ER, in a more raw and unpredictable setting. Now, as a paramedic, I get to do that every day.
Alongside standard urban medical calls, our department covers a large rural open-space area. This often turns trauma and medical incidents into complex situations requiring creative extrication plans. Working with helicopters and UTVs to access and transport patients from remote locations is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
Local Surf Spot
The Central Coast has a wide range of quality waves – raw, powerful conditions with everything from beach breaks to reefs and points. The best part is the big, hungry locals that keep crowds low. It is often possible to surf pumping waves alone or with just a friend.
Favourite Surf Destination
O’ahu, North Shore. My older sister lives there, so it is a perfect combination of family time and consistent surf.
Travel Experience
Indonesia – Mentawais, G-Land, Bali
Central America, including Costa Rica
Strike missions to Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands
Best Surf Trip
Costa Rica – scored quality waves every day for a month and lived off ceviche and mangoes.
Worst Surf Trip
Got seriously ill with an ear infection, sinus infection and heavy food poisoning from where I was staying. The only thing I could keep down was fruit. Fortunately, it was all point breaks, so I could surf and then walk back to the top. Still scored incredible waves, which made up for it, but the nights dragged.
Best Thing About Surfing
The places it takes you and the feeling of a good incoming swell.
Best Advice
Surf what the wave gives you.
Favourite Surfer
Jimbo Pellegrine – big, powerful, throws buckets and gets more tube time than most. That combination is hard to beat.
Current Go-To Board
6’3” El Diablo – rounded pin twin fin by Northern Alliance
Social
Instagram: mitchell.s.woods
Read more: Jamie Novak joins the Surfing Doctors