The rise of the tail high
With Dusty, Owen Wright and Matt Wilkinson joining Dane and Jordy on tour, the first rays of the tail high generation are permeating big time surfing. Asked about strategies, preparation and his biggest fears leading into his debut year, Dusty says he ain’t got any, there’s “no point trying to be Mick Fanning.” He just wants to entertain and crack a bunch of his patented finners off the coping of the world’s most famous waves.
Detail your preparations for your debut year on the world tour, Dusty.
I’m just gonna hang at home, surf with my friends and cruise. I won’t be doing any coaching and strategising. There is no point trying to be Mick Fanning. I’m going to surf the waves around home, which are actually pumping right now, and maybe do trip to P-Pass (Pohnpei, Caroline Islands) if it pops up.
Where do you your strengths lie as a competitor?
Geez, I dunno. I have no expectations I just wanna put on a good show for everybody. I’m gonna go into every heat like a free surf and I’m just excited to surf good waves. On the WQS you have to be more reserved, so the CT is gonna work in my favour.
Can we expect your patented forehand finner to be unveiled live on the webcast?
Yep. I can’t wait for the first contest in Oz. You just have to think about having fun. If I have a shocker, it happens. You gotta be like, “oh well, but I’m just gonna give it my best shot.” Dane’s done it and his first year was rough but now he’s figured it out, he’s having fun with it and he’s getting results. I know I’ve just gotta have fun and stay relaxed.
What are your biggest fears?
Nothing. I’m not nervous at all. I can’t wait for it to begin.
Where will you struggle?
Brazil. I hate shitty waves and places I don’t like to be I tend not to do well. I like Australia, I like Tahiti, I’ve never been to J Bay but I like Durban. Those places I have more fun and surf better. I won’t go to J-Bay before the tour goes there. I grew up on a right point break so there can’t be too much different. It’s the perfect wave, you can’t really go wrong.
You got pals on tour or are you gonna do the Mick Campbell thing?
I’ll probably hang out with the Hawaiians like Freddy P and Kekoa. Kekoa really helped me out this year. To get on the tour I needed a third in my quarterfinal at Sunset and Kekoa was in my quarterfinal. He just looks at me and says, “I want you on this tour, I’ll do anything to get you on this tour. Just make sure you get a couple of waves and get third.” I was like, “okay, sweet.” And he was just helping pick me good waves out Sunset. It was sick to have a good friend like that in such an important heat. Kekoa is the man and I’m looking forward to hanging out with him.
With three surfers from the Modern Collective, plus Matt Wilkinson and Owen Wright, all on tour are we about to witness a dramatic shift in competitive surfing?
I dunno. I’m stoked to see guys like Wilko qualify for the tour this year. I just hope we get some good waves and the boys can put on a good show. That’s what it’s all about. I hate turning on those heats on the CT and you’re like, “Oh my gosh, another heat with six turns to the beach.” I would rather see a guy trying to flare and fall. – Jed Smith
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Reply #172 on : Wed January 06, 2010, 11:00:32