Are pro surfers – dudes that claim purchases of wax, sunscreen and overseas travel on their annual tax return – really qualified to offer the rest of us ordinary folk life advice? We didn’t think so either but then we spoke to a few of the sagacious old bastards and were delighted by the hot pearls of wisdom they fired at us…
Kalani Robb
Kalani Robb now 30 years of age but still one of the swiftest sons of bitches on a surfboard, demonstrates power and release on a recent working holiday to Indo.
Kalani says: There’s some things you can’t learn in school.
I dropped out in 10th grade ’cause I made the tour. Talk about social studies and math, travelling the world and counting prize money. I still got my grad shit from home school but I think school is just segregation anyway. Life is the ultimate teacher, go live it and you’ll learn a lot.
What else? Respect your elders, live everyday like it was your last, never
say the word hate and love your brother man because we’re all in this together.
Yadin Nichol
Despite marrying young Yadin Nichol is a smart man. Instead of trying to qualify for World Tour immediately after his junior career, Yades travelled the world [ala Dane Reynolds] refining his skills and perfecting turns such as this wonderful frontside grab rail fin chuck. After less than a year on the QS a spot among the ASPs top 45 in 2009 seems highly probable.
Yadin says: Don’t piss into the wind.
It came from my dad and I know it doesn’t sound all that wise but it means think before you do something you’ll regret. Like if you piss into the wind you’ll obviously end up pissing on yourself, right? So before you do it look around and consider the consequences of what you’re about to do. I’m not saying don’t live spontaneously, I like to do things spur of the moment too. Like when I was in Las Vegas for my 21st with all my mates and we all went got a really bad tattoo. I thought about it and decided to do it but got it on my foot instead of my forehead. It says, “Where’s the cheese?” and I don’t regret it one bit.
What else? Smile. It sure helps if you’ve got a totally kick ass smile like me. Ha! But seriously, you gain nothing walking around with a mouthful of sour grapes. When you smile people smile back.
Jordy Smith
Jordy Smith started his 2008 world title mission horribly with an equal third last on the gold coast, a dead last at Bells and a second last in Tahiti. Although he’s sitting equal 21st on the tour ratings – with the likes of Ben Dunn, Micky Picon and Roy Powers – after the first three stops, his freesurfing performances are unquestionably top five material.
Jordy says: Don’t be a sheep.
Don’t follow the leader, form your own opinions, live your own life. My dad always said looking up to people is great but if you try and be them or copy them you’ll only end up as good as they were. If you want to be better than your heroes at some point you have to do things for yourself.
Mitch Coleborn
Mitch Coleborn won the 2007 Australasian junior circuit ahead of Julian Wilson. He’s not as pretty as Julian or as publicised but Christ the stocky little prick can surf. Here’s a tidy fin throw performed at Canggu in Bali.
Mitch says: Everything happens for a reason
Mumsy gave me that gem. It’s about trying to find some good in totally rooted situations. Like a couple of years back I came in from the surf and some fuck had stolen my car. The cops eventually found it minus the wheels and the stereo. At the time I couldn’t understand what reason there was for my car being stolen but then I got a meaty cheque from my insurance company. I used the money to get the ride lowered, a sweet DVD stereo and some amazing new rims. If the car were never stolen I’d still be driving around on standard issue wheels listening to music through a poor man’s stereo.
Andy Irons
Andy Irons often discredits himself when it comes to moves performed above the lip. Yeah, agreed, his air-reverses are ugly as sin but his big frontside wheelie airs and hefty backside lifts are raw as hell and we love em.
Andy says: Don’t listen to advice
I never really listened to advice when I was a kid. If someone was giving me tips they were going in one ear and out the other. I think you gotta figure some things out for yourself, I’ve learned lessons from my own mistakes not someone else’s.
What else? Money won’t buy you happiness. You think it does sometimes but then things turn to shit and you realise you can’t buy your way out of trouble. I do like having money but when things go bad only friends and family can make me happy.
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Reply #2 on : Tue September 02, 2008, 21:01:39