Film: The climax scene in ‘City of God’.
A film about the cocaine trade in the favelas of Rio De Janeiro, where the young kids aspire to become big players in the trade only to be cut down by the ambitions of those below them.
Contest: The Rodeo Clown Kelly nearly pulled at Pipe before anyone had even thought of that. We all had to watch it back on video about five times before we could even figure it out.
Own life: Winning the world grommet titles in the last 10 seconds. I’d never wanted something so bad and it felt so good. I watched the video for the first time the other day and it got me pretty fired up for this year.
Other’s life: Travelling with Bottle the last few years and being there with him last year when he finally qualified. Was really cool to see after all he’s been through (bro dying, years and years on the QS).
Literary: On my first trip to London my Dad told me to go to Westminster Abbey and check out William Blake’s tombstone and the inscription on it. It’s a verse from one of his well-known poems and it goes something like this:
“To see a whole a world in a grain of sand, And heaven in a wild flower, To hold eternity in the palm of your hand, And infinity in an hour.”
I guess those few lines just struck a chord with me and I’ve never forgotten them.
Beach: I really dig how the Brazilians do the whole beach scene. Beach bats, soccer, Pina Coladas straight out of fresh coconuts, music. It’s a kind of a “day club” feel. And then there’s always the surf there to cool off and those naughty little bikinis those Brazilian girls wear.
Business : I wouldn’t mind opening a Japanese restaurant and bar. Something cosy with low lights and leather couches and a good cocktail menu. A place where family and friends can come for a good time and talk story.
Womanising: A balmy summer evening and some good food and good wine to get the stories flowing!
City: I love Barcelona. It’s such a vibrant place with so much colour and so much happening. The place has a real buzz and raw energy about it. I also went and saw Barcelona play a La Liga match at the Nou Camp when I was there in front of 80,000 people, which is something I’ll never forget.
Country: A little Spanish seaside town called Cadaques on the Mediterranean Costa Brava. It’s got a really relaxed and cruisy feel. Salvador Dali used to spend his summers there painting and go there for inspiration. You can kick back in the local pub looking out over the harbour with a rosé and try your Spanish out on the locals.
Dining: I’ve got a few favourite haunts around the place. BBQ King in Chinatown, Rise in Paddo and Kua Aina Burger in Haliewa.
Web: I’m on Facebook, which I was into for a little while. But lately all I get is forwarded messages telling me if I don’t pass it to a certain number of friends I’ll have bad sex, bad luck, blah blah blah. So that doesn’t get the hits it used to. I think the net is dehumanising the way we interact with each other — but I spend to much time on there so I can’t really preach.
Magazine: I usually grab a GQ and a Men’s Health before I jump on the plane. GQ to check out what Jude and Pharrell are rocking about in, cause I’d secretly love to live in London or New York and cruise around in a Prada suit and Salvatore Ferragamo kicks. And the Men’s Health so I can check out the latest gym gear, protein smoothies and core exercises, cause I’m a closest gym junkie.
Retirement: I want to travel some more, hey. Gimme Europe — Prague, Rome, Munich. I want to see all those landlocked cities where surfing is something they only see in movies and TV. After that I’d love a family and kids. Maybe I’ll be a stay at home Dad so my girl can chase her dreams. She wants to start a bikini label.
