You’ve always been a competitor, mixing
it up both domestically and
internationally (when possible). Do you
get a buzz from events and comps? Would
you recommend it to others and if so why?
Definitely. The pressure of a 15 minute
heat is pretty intense in both good and bad
ways, it really makes you concentrate on
your surfing unlike when in a free surf. I’d
100% recommend entering or even just
going to watch a comp. I really like going to
the international competitions just to see
what the next level is; what I need to aim
for; and what I need to work on next. There aren’t many young ‘uns involved
with SUP surfing and coming up
through the ranks. Do you see this
changing any time soon? What would
you say to encourage other paddlers
your age to get involved?
I’m not 100% sure on that one, I don’t
think we’re gonna have a spike of kids
coming into the sport. I’d say SUP surfing is
difficult to get into without parents having
a background in watersports, but I’d say
get down to your local centre, rent some kit
and give it a go! You won’t know that you
like it without doing so.
Where’s your fave place to compete?
Fave place to compete has to be in the Irish
SUP event. No questions asked! Just the
atmosphere, the people and (usually) a
week of good surf. Can’t beat that. Do you see any new blood coming into
the sport your way? If so, who should we
be keeping an eye on?
Over our way (North Wales) there is pretty
much no interest at all. There are a few
summer chargers by the likes of Ollie Duke
and Henry Godber, but no serious interest
really. New blood you should be keeping an
eye on however is Mia and Lucy Hamilton
over in Ireland. Those guys are charging!
And SUP surf in general?
Again, it will have to be Ireland. The
number of reefs are amazing. As well as the
empty line ups, which are just such a treat!
Could do with being a touch warmer
though…
Where would you most like to surf given
the opportunity, and why?
I think it would be New Zealand because
again the possibility of warm, uncrowded
waves, is too good to miss.
Do you have a specific training regime
or is it simply about getting wet and
putting the hours in?
Does work count as training? Haha! Otherwise
it’s just get out there and go surfing. I do
really need to start training though.
Have any dietary requirements to help
with your riding?
Not really no. I am a vegetarian but I don’t
link it with riding. I just eat whatever really,
ideally something sugary.
How will you be helping RRD? Any plans
to get involved with R&D?
I suppose I’ll just be helping in a
promotional manor. R&D? I don’t think I
know enough about the dynamics of
boards to help out with that (yet).
Has it been weird transitioning from
custom gear to production sleds? What
have you noticed most from the switch
in kit?
The LongSUP obviously is massive
compared to my old one! This is 28” wide
whereas my custom was 24”. I was,
however, surprised to find it was still good
fun and was cracking to surf. It obviously
rides completely different, but still a hoot.
The iWave has super similar dimensions to
my old custom, surprisingly it was lighter
as well! When riding a custom I thought
wax was the way to go and deck pads were
stupid, but deck pads are actually really
good I’m now finding.
Talk us through your new gear and what
you’re riding these days.
New gear: the best thing you can get
through the post! I just moved over to RRD
as you said, and I’m now riding the 7’5
iWave Pro V2 as well as the LongSUP 9’0.
How did RRD’s support come about?
I think it came about as I am a team rider
for K4 Fins. Murray (Saunders) who runs K4
with Steve (Thorp) recently became the
importer for RRD in the UK. He heard they
were looking for a UK team rider and
passed my name across. They obviously
liked what they saw.
Between you and Aaron (Rowe) you’re
one of the most progressive SUP surfers
the UK has. Any plans to step up further
and take it to the world stage again?
I’d obviously like to! Whether I make
qualifying or not will be the final answer to
that question.
How do you think you’d fare against the
likes of Mo (Freitas), Zane (Schweitzer)
and crew?
Not a chance! Those guys are in a different
league still. They’re as good as I’d aspire to
be, but I’m still a long way off yet.
What part of your game do you think
you need to improve before you could
have a shot at the title, so to speak?
Probably everything. Wave selection,
commitment, radicalness. It all needs
working on.
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