A quarterly New Zealand Bodyboarding publication
/Lost for Words/ The Cody Smith interview
Desert Sessions Small Talk
with
Chris Hubbard
82
+
Autumn 2011 SNAP - Rider gallery. RUBBERED UP - Winter Wetsuit Guide. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - Bmac is on a mission. EMPTY - A gallery of empty waves. YARN - Lost for words with Cody Smith. NOSTALGIA - Doona Park, 10th April, 2009. SCOOP - The Desert Sessions. ZONE - Regional news. SMALL TALK - With Chris Hubbard. SNEAK PEAK - Coming next issue.
004 ISOMAG, CONTENTS.
Cover Photo: Canterbury was once thought to be the worst place to spend your summer. Try and tell that to Sam Wells - he’s been locking into funnels like these on a weekly basis. Sam Wells Sam Brooks
ISOMAG, CONTENTS. 005
006 ISOMAG, EDITORIAL.
ISOMAG – NEW ZEALAND’S BODYBOARDING MAGAZINE
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS ISOmag – New Zealand’s bodyboarding magazine ISOmag aims to bring you the best quality images and in-depth articles with a specific focus on New Zealand bodyboarders, waves and the unique New Zealand bodyboarding lifestyle. Our goal is to produce a high-quality quarterly publication that will help promote and gain international recognition for New Zealand bodyboarders, photographers, writers and designers. Editors Chris Garden and Hayden Parsons Design Paul Mossong, assisited by Philip Harris Web Design Glen Mossong
Contributors Adam Wood, Aidan Dickson, Alex Turoy, Andre Apel, Angeline Humphreys, Aurelien Vivancos, Brendan Dorman, Chad Barlow, Cherry Bomb, Chris Bago, Chris Garden, Cory Scott, Dan Gray, Digga Davie, Edward Saltau, Ewan Donnachie, Frenchy, Greg Hodgson, Hayden Parsons, Heath Melville, Irautza Partarrieu, Isabella Harrex, Jake Cutler, Jarad Ferris, Jeff King, Jeremy Town, John Diamond, John Rutter, Johnny Chambers, Jolan Kilkelly, Jorin Sievers, Kane McMillan, Kendra Benson, Liam Shapcott, Lindsay Butler, Matt Burgess, Mark Thompson, Max Clifford, Mitch Frew, Paul Mossong, Phil Gallagher, Rob Gurney, Ryan Isherwood, Sam Brooks, Sam Peters, Sam Powyer, Sam Wells, Shane Kelly, Tauru Hugo, Thomas Jaud, Tim Hutton, Tim Johnston, Tim Jones Questions, comments and contributions isomag@hotmail.com
ISOMAG – NEW ZEALAND’S BODYBOARDING MAGAZINE ISOMAG, EDITORIAL. 007
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 009
Bodyboard superstar Dave Winchester once claimed in an interview with Riptide Magazine that the Hydro fins that he used to wear were like “big dinner plates strapped to my feet�. Quite ironic then that Cody is wearing the same fins and putting them to good use at a wave whose name matches that description. Cody Smith Chris Garden
010 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
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They say that it’s easier to reach your goal if you set yourself targets along the way. Tim Johnston puts his foot down with the goal of making it out of this nugget, using Garden’s bright yellow housing as his target. Tim Johnston Mitch Frew
012 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 013
This swell caught everyone out, everyone except the determined duo of Wellsy and Ryno, that is. While the deep south crew were nursing hangovers, at the other end of the island, Wellsy paddled out on sunrise and scooped into solid reef-break goodness. The early bird catches the worm. Sam Wells Ryan Isherwood
014 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
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Edward Saltau’s last surf in New Zealand after a three year stint of slumming it as a student/film-maker. Not a bad farewell present. Edward Saltau Chris Garden
016 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 017
The true meaning of Boxing Day has long been forgotten, sucked up by the hype of post-Christmas sales and cricket test matches. Boxing Day in Christchurch delivered punchy barrels, like the one Todd Hardy is gritting his way through here after passing up a day of shopping and cricket. Todd Hardy Sam Brooks
018 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 019
Bluebird skies, crystal-clear water and solid beach-break barrels. Cody surely can’t complain about how he’s spent his summer?!? Cody Smith Chris Garden
020 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 021
Either this guy just missed the wave of the day by one wave; or he may be in for a similar fate when it hits the inside bank. UnKnown Chris Garden
022 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 023
The mechanical nature of rivermouths allows you try something different each wave. Wellsy unleashing his repertoire. Sam Wells Ryan Isherwood
024 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 025
Heath Melville has a dream of becoming a rap superstar under the name of “Meath Hellville�. Maybe this skinny white guy with no musical talent whatsoever should stick to spitting tubes like these instead of spitting lyrics. Heath Melville Chris Garden
026 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
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Even though this day was blessed with perfect grinding pits, Mitch Frew didn’t manage to make one of them. Instead of moaning about it, he changed his approach, opting for some air time and leaving the barrels to grind off unaccompanied. Mitch Frew Chris Garden
028 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
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La Nina has been kind to Auckland’s west coast. ISOmag has received reports of day after day of hollow beach breaks, but this is the only shot we received from the region. Photographer Jorin Sievers claimed it was just too good to stand and watch guys like Brendon Ashton lapping up the groomed goodness. Brendon Ashton Jorin Sievers
030 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 031
It seems like this summer there has been very little dropknee action happening around the country. Jolan Kilkelly staking his claim as one of the South Island’s premier men of the knee. Jolan Kilkelly Adam Wood
032 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 033
Everyone agreed that this wave of PMK’s was the wave of the day, which took him by surprise as the evening sun impaired his vision leaving him with no recollection of even catching it. Paul McLennan-Kissel Mitch Frew
034 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 035
They say that timing is everything in photography, and more so than in surf photography. It’s sheer luck that you are looking at this shot of Aran Naismith who arrived super late in the day thinking he might have missed the tide. It was all forgotten after this wave though, his first. On the other side of the lens, Ryno, who had been shooting all day was having a shocker. He was actually starting to paddle in as Aran hit the water but decided to wait for just one more wave before calling it a day. This was the wave. Job done. Aran Naismith Ryan Isherwood
036 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 037
According to photographer Jeff King, the man in this photo is a low-key sort of guy. A content family man who charges anything that breaks at his favorite haunts along the upper North Island’s east and west coasts, and making it look all too easy in the process. Dave Biddle Jeff King
038 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 039
Photog Garden reckons that longer lenses are really under-utilised when shooting beach-breaks from the water. A 50mm lens, like used in this shot, gives the real ‘paddling out’ perspective. Cody Smith Chris Garden
040 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 041
It’s no secret, New Zealand has some of the harshest sun in the world‌ when it eventually peeks out from behind the clouds. Those dawn sessions spent squinting into the sun can be particularly harsh, burning you to a crisp before the nineto-fivers have finished their commute. Wellsy, and his ginger genes, knows the importance of being sun smart more than anyone, and does all he can to seek shelter in some shady barrels. Sam Wells Ryan Isherwood
042 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 043
Reckon you’ve had a bad day? Bet it won’t top Rastas Stephenson’s shocker. Amped to use his Go Pro camera for the first time in some fun waves, he muffed setting it up by putting it on time-lapse mode, which didn’t matter anyway in the end as the housing fogged up within ten minutes. Gutted, he put his helmet on the beach and tried to brighten his day with a few tubes, but instead went headfirst into the sand grazing his baby face and compressing his spine, resulting in a trip to the hospital and a bit of dry time to rub salt into the wound. Chris Stephenson Chris Garden, Portrait: Mitch Frew
044 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 045
It has been months since Monumentalz last broke, and although this day wasn’t perfect, a few solid bombs rolled through for the lucky few that had been waiting for the conditions to align again. Cody Smith Chris Garden
046 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 047
Wellsy threads his way through another fish-scale barrel. Sam Wells Sam Brooks
048 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 049
Despite being just metres from Greymouth’s sewage pipe, this remains one of the most sort after waves out west. This dredging, below sea level sucker has been clogging up hospital waiting lists for years as many of those who choose to surf it often end up with some sort of major indisposition. Luckily, or unluckily depending on the strength of your immune system, Poo Pipe only breaks about once a year. Jolan Kilkelly Adam Wood
050 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
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These fishermen packed up and left after Wellsy nabbed the catch of the day. Sam Wells Heath Melville
052 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
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Chris Stephenson working the crowd. Chris Stephenson Cherry Bomb
054 ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY.
ISOMAG, SNAP: RIDER GALLERY. 055
REVIEW ETSUIT INTER W S 2011 W ISOMAG
Sorry guys, but winter is closing in. You might have noticed the morning dew is taking longer to evaporate and your after work surfs are becoming slightly shorter each day. It’s hard to believe, but you’ll probably be reading our next issue wrapped up in front of the fire sipping on a hot beverage to ease your shivering limbs. So we thought we’d get in early and review a few winter wetsuits that we reckon will repel the frigid New Zealand water. All Photos: Chris Garden
056 ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WINTER WETSUIT GUIDE.
e when w eoprene d rivers n f o s e fine piec lacier-fe of these g waves in the g s ie rt e p ntion pro e standin heat rete sy. Go find som e th n o oing w Ea ocean g fair revie Kiwi summer? t a n o te d e p e m ng tely could w Being co a blisteri a comple trol. But how re ne rush. iddle of a li m a rs n e e re v th d con a , ri in are still a full-on On the contrary re never really in ve . y o ll g a ta tu c O a l . ha a is ua me of Centr oarding mean yo usins. It pays to warau s in no ti rb s e e c ie v d ri ie d p , e s o a d to -water c gment of the K ows and s it soun pping the river , undert their salt ri d easy a se afe with ts g n e s n ir a b in e e ly d n rr th ’d ri te u fu e c s le to w u p y t z t As m n w h ra o o g re c C h u s lt iffe n. und we tho the ocea as completely d ing Co offered to e dangers we fe l this day we fo to citizens e m a a ball g espite th waves w he River Board avelling asn’t ide different T rapids. D w of the river w g is the art of tr lenty of standing . y e z re u th ra s c g r d in flo dp an s fo irtin Even rid times an trip. The nd guide standing waves ction. While the portunities (squ a d r o a o e G g ). e the right lete with a few right dire od “squirting” op tes underwater! at the end of th s in the u o u mp e g in o d g li c e m n s r r ti m r e u o in iv s te fo a R po nd for over s and w rt guides waves a rs travel rides, rock jump te the expe good standing ir r! u te q a s ki gw top take a of balls to urrent – ke being the jets in some freezin c a couple e a th h d it a h a uit this its ter w on the c nly three fter a new wets of wetsu g O n underwa . in o ti ic rs c e to le a u ith th ur se if you’re eir distrib laughs w ue to test out o s and th Screw the rest, ie n n a e p v m t perfec arding. etsuit co ails to w Zealand bodybo m e f o s n w out doze rting Ne n suppo We sent e e s e b and ese. chance one of th b ra g , n seaso
ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WINTER WETSUIT GUIDE. 057
Chris Garden
058 ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WETSUIT GUIDE.
Hayden “Goose” Parsons
“
I’ve never worn a Quiksilver wetsuit before but it’s safe to say that I’ll be stashing this one away for winter. The first thing I noticed was these little rubber things on the arm and leg cuffs that prevent leaks and stops you ripping a hole in your wetsuit when you are pulling it on. My last two wetties have died for that exact reason so I was stoked on that little feature. The Quiksilver suit has a simple design, not many seams which is a good thing and had the sickest shimmering black colour. I felt like a panther! Roast goose was on the menu at the end of the trip - even after three hours in that icy water I was baking. So pumped for winter now!
her p y C r e v Quiksil 4/3mm ip Chest Z 29.99
RRP $6
s Feature tch II yperstre h % 0 0 • 1 seal ax seam • Flexm st zip ntry che nkles • Easy e st and a ri w l a e s r • Cyphe pads se knee u rf e b y C • eals in neck s k s e d li G •
”
ISOMAG,ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WINTER RUBBERED UP: WETSUIT GUIDE. 059
Chris “Rastas” Stephenson
“
Seventh wa G&S ZB ve MAX Ti Steame 2/2, 3/2, r 3/3, or 4/3mm
RRP $7
99
Feature
• Japan
s
ese Yam amoto the worl best neo d’s prene • Custo m fit to y our mea suremen • Variety ts of colou rs • Made in New Z ealand • Super light-we ight
060 ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WETSUIT GUIDE.
I’ve heard so many good things about Seventhwave wetties before so I grabbed this one before anyone else got their mitts on it. The model I was testing was a 3/3mm, which Seventhwave reckon are as warm, if not warmer than 4/3mm wetsuits made by other companies. They ain’t lying. I’d have no trouble surviving a Deep South winter in one of these. My conscience can rest easy knowing that they are made in New Zealand and that I can send it away for a quick repair job if I ever need to. Stoked on the range of colours too. Black is for emos!
”
Chris Garden
ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WETSUIT GUIDE. 061
Chris Garden
062 ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WETSUIT GUIDE.
freak o h c y s P O’Neill od o H m m 5.5/4.5
Arne Vanderburg
“
Being the only stand-up surfer on the panel I thought I’d definitely get the old 80’s wetsuit. To my surprise the boys let me use what would be the warmest wetsuit of the lot in my opinion. I thought they had done something to it! I can honestly say I’ve never been that warm in the water in my life. I’ve tried 5mm wetsuits before and they feel like dive suits, but this felt like a 3mm. It’s really flexi in the areas that you need flexibility, that combined with the thermal lining, built in hood and zero leakage ensured I taught those gut sliding kooks a thing or two about riding standing waves!
49
RRP $8
s chest, Feature lining on o rm e th ll • Firewa and legs s kidneys e on arm neopren S D X x e • Ultra fl hing ulders No stitc . g and sho in ld e mw e fluid sea r leakag • Double less wate d n a h stretc Kevlar = more de from a m s d a kneep • Krypto seals t and leg s ri w a • Plasm cket l key po a rn te x E •
”
ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WETSUIT GUIDE. 063
Courtney Bomb 1980’s F luro
Steame r
RRP $1
0
Feature
s • Multi-F luoresce nt colou • Sandp ring aper neo p re n e • See-th rough sti tching
“
What a bunch of dicks those guys are for making me wear that shitty wetsuit. I looked like I had just fallen off the set of Point Break. I froze from the moment I hit the water and got rashes in places that shall remain nameless. One positive about the suit is the amount of water that it took in ensured that I was able to do the longest squirts out of anyone! It was a fun day though and I got to look at their ‘toight’ bums down the river all day.
”
064 ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WETSUIT GUIDE.
Chris Garden
“
Thanks to Seventhwave, Quiksilver and O’Neill for the wetsuits, The Riverboarding Co (www.riverboarding.co.nz) for the good times and R&R Sport for the old school wetties..
”
ISOMAG, RUBBERED UP: WETSUIT GUIDE.. 065
Chris Garden
Missi on Im possi ble?
If you havent heard, Ben MacKinnon is on a mission. Fast approaching 31 years of age, the time for him to make an impact on the bodyboarding world is dwindling faster than his ability to perform without viagra. With this in mind he has set himself one last goal and is dead set on achieving it. Looks like hes on track too judging by these snaps which just happen to be from a single two hour session.
066 ISOMAG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: BMAC IS ON A MISSION.
ISOMAG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: BMAC IS ON A MISSION. 067
Chris Garden
You’re notorious for having every detail of your life planned out so fill us in on your goals and destinations. I’m committed to three things in the next four to five years: progressing my riding in international events and waves, gaining international exposure in both video and photos and continuing to study part time so that when my time is over I have something to fall back on. In all honesty, my biggest goal is to just fulfil my potential. Right now I feel like I’m 70 percent there and as long as I keep that mentality, train hard and look after my old injuries (Sherman’s disease in my back, collarbone torn off, multiple fractured vertebrae) as well as if my crap heart holds up (two surgeries since 1997) I will get very close to it. I’ve spent my life being told what I can’t do, and so many people let that happen to them. Get sucked into it all. You make the rules for your life and you decide when it’s time to move on.
068 ISOMAG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: BMAC IS ON A MISSION.
Are yo your b for go
ou turning back on New Zealand ood? Actually not at all, if anything it’s the opposite. I really support the NZ Bodyboard Tour and all those that make it happen. It’s all the hard work that Brad Dennison, Kevin McAlistar and Mihi Nemani put in that make this sport go round in NZ. I’m just at a point in my riding that I need to pursue other avenues. I plan to do at least two NZ comps per year; I am very patriotic to NZ. I’m proud of and wish to be known as an NZ rider wherever I am living - wearing an NZ wetsuit (Seventhwave) and riding for an NZ bodyboard shop (Isolated). Turbo have given me a great opportunity with my riding, one that means I need to prove myself internationally in order to gain a higher end of support. I believe it’s a great deal one that means I need to prove myself internationally in order to gain a higher end of support. I believe it’s a great deal as it forces me to chase what I have always wanted. I’m proud of every NZ rider who has chased the world tour and competed overseas and I have committed myself financially and mentally to lifting the bar… to set the way for others to follow. I plan on traveling a decent chunk of each year and basing myself in West Aus and the South Coast of NSW due to the prime waves and very active bodyboarding scenes.
ISOMAG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: BMAC IS ON A MISSION. 069
Chris Garden
Who or what do you credit for your progression from haggard groveller to the most dynamic rider New Zealand has ever produced?
I would have to say that there’ve been a few things. Stopping riding and doing other sports which I was average at and cycling for a good five years allowed me to really reinvent myself. When I got back into bodyboarding again at the 2006 Isolated Challenge, a lot of people didn’t realise it was the first time I had ridden in five years! I just knew that as a youth I had never got close to my potential, I wanted to find the full expression of it. I noticed how far the sport had come since 2001 and I really wanted to be a part of it. It was just a change in how I viewed bodyboarding. Instead of rolling on my back in the white-water, I just wanted to use more of the wave’s power, flow with it, take aspects of other guy’s styles and build my own type of riding. Being down south in good, heavy waves constantly and not surfing onshores probably helped too! Living at Hotel Oxford under the tutelage of Alex Dade who constantly ripped my surfing to pieces every time we surfed also had its place! I am always in your debt.
070 ISOMAG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: BMAC IS ON A MISSION.
ISOMAG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: BMAC IS ON A MISSION. 071
Chris Garden
Why isn’t New Zealand producing more guys keen to follow the same path as you? There is little incentive in NZ and little industry to back them. To do it you have to be willing to fund yourself, have good friends who shoot you and video you (thanks Eddie Saltau and Chris Garden) as well as people connected and good at producing a great resume (Hayden Parsons). I honestly believe if someone breaks through, does well on the international tour and gains high level exposure, it will motivate those sitting on the sidelines, both old and young, to follow. If anything that is my biggest motivation: to open a door that needs to be opened. There are guys out there like Richard McKenna who have proven their level in bigger events, it’s just a matter of them being at a point where it’s a focus for them in their life. Sam Wells was right in the fact it is up to the older riders to take charge, find a young kid in your area with talent, take him surfing with you and amp him up on the sport if you want to see the sport in NZ progress.
072 ISOMAG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: BMAC IS ON A MISSION.
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Chris Garden
Is there anything that can stop you reaching your goals? Man, nothing in life is certain. I get a lot of stick for setting goals and going for them, writing them down and planning every detail of how I will get there. But deep down there are so many factors out of your control. You can only control some of the variables and I try to plan to control these things. When I was younger I was a really arrogant, angry kid who had so much to prove (mainly to myself). I wanted things to happen now instead of realising that all things take time. You need support and I am always in debt to those that have helped me along the way. Without them I wouldn’t be sitting in the position I have found myself in now. If you give your goals time and stay true to the dreams you had in your youth, then you can constantly improve no matter how old and crap your back and neck are!
074 ISOMAG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: BMAC IS ON A MISSION.
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ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 077
Never turn your back on the ocean, Look what you might miss! Ryan Isherwood
078 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 079
We’ve all asked the question of whether or not New Zealand’s lakes ever produce waves. Some people reckon that in our larger lakes, with a wind howling across the surface it can push rideable waves onto their shores. It all sounds a bit unlikely but it’s nice to dream. Here’s a teaser, probably produced by a bit of localised wind or a passing boat. Mark Thompson
080 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 081
The deep south crew reckon it had been months since Dinners broke this good. Six foot plus and perfect. Chris Garden
082 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
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Flawless and sunny one day… Chris Garden
084 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
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086 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
‌Flawless, cold and wet the next. Summer in the deep south. Chris Garden
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 087
A million Aucklanders cant be wrong - the Coromandel is the ultimate holiday destination. If you’re lucky, you might just luck into some perfect peaks like this. Paul Mossong
088 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 089
A deep south cliffhanger slips through the pack. Chris Garden
090 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 091
Shooting from a boat has many advantages for a photographer: you don’t have to get wet, you don’t get cleaned up by the freak sets or harassed by seals, and you can crack a beer between sets. But all that can be ruined when the boat swings around with the current putting your drivers fat head in the frame. The moral of the story - swim or hire a midget boat driver. Ryan Isherwood
092 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 093
It’s what’s on the inside that counts. Chris Garden
094 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 095
It’s a big ask to paddle out to a distant bombie and take off on the peak at a wave that you have never surfed especially when it’s low tide and onshore. Just ask Health Melville who paddled back to shore with his tail between his legs after witnessing some ridiculously heavy waves at this joint. The following day the swell had dropped a little, cleaned up, and there was a bit more water over the reef. He even managed to coax a mate along giving each other the confidence to feast on nuggets like this (bottom) until the the swell died. Johnny Chambers (top), Dan Gray (bottom)
096 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 097
Don’t you reckon Dinner Plates looks much less life threatening in summer time? Chris Garden
098 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 099
A common sight at beaches all around the county: Surfers straightening out whilst perfect barrels reel off. Frustration to all those who witness it. Jeff King
100 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 101
102 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
It’s pretty easy to see where they got the idea for those frosted pattern toilet windows that were popular in the 80’s. Chris Garden
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 103
Sucking harder than a vacuum cleaner. Ryan Isherwood
104 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 105
Despite having average banks for most of the summer, this Dunedin beach has still been dishing up some goodness. Chris Garden
106 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
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Rivermouth perfection. Ryan Isherwood
108 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 109
You gotta love the perfect banks that are created when sand builds up around rocky outcrops. Chris Garden
110 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 111
An early morning slab, milliseconds before it unloads on a shallow reef. Chris Garden
112 ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES.
ISOMAG, EMPTY: EMPTY WAVES. 113
Chris Garden
/Lost for Words/ The Cody Smith interview
“There’s gotta be a hundred more people to interview that are more interesting than me” was Cody’s reaction when asked to be this issue’s interviewee. To be honest, he’s right. There’s not much to this unassuming man of few words. Like everyone in New Zealand bodyboarding, there is something a little strange about him, yet it’s a different sort of strange… he doesn’t have the loud, eccentric and slightly queer persona of his peers. Cody doesn’t need to say much. As cliché as it might sound, he lets his surfing do the talking. Shit, look at the photos of him recently - probably New Zealand bodyboarding’s biggest photo slut - a reluctant one at that. He’s hands down the most dedicated bodyboarder in the country, if not the world. Big call? Not after you read some of these stories…
114 ISOMAG, YARN: LOST FOR WORDS WITH CODY SMITH.
ISOMAG, YARN: LOST FOR WORDS WITH CODY SMITH. 115
Chris Garden
It’s a typical Tuesday night in Dunedin, the setting sun is masked by a thick blanket of clouds from the west, an ominous sign that yet another cold front is on its way. Many of the local bodyboarders are going through their nightly routines - whatever they might be. Cody is no different, doing his chore of putting out the trash. Once outside, his senses tune into the fact that it’s unusually warm for a Dunedin evening and confirms his suspicions of an offshore wind by thrusting a wet finger into the air. Cody immediately drops the bag of rubbish, some of the contents spilling onto his backyard. He pulls out his phone and sends out a bulk text to every bodyboarder he knows that lives nearby. Moments later, just as my head hit the pillow, a text message comes through...
“It’s offshore, let’s go surfing!” The time on my bedside clock reads 10:42pm. I think about it for a minute and remember that the swell angle isn’t ideal, it’s only a quarter moon and its light will be blocked by the clouds anyway. Oh, and the break he is amping to surf is a lengthy paddle from shore, and we all know sharks love to feast at night. “Na, I’ll pass.” I reply then chuckle myself to sleep at the thought of Cody surfing an outer reef all on his own in absolute darkness.
116 ISOMAG, YARN: LOST FOR WORDS WITH CODY SMITH.
/Lost for Words/
The Cody Smith interview
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/Lost for Words/ The Cody Smith interview
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Chris Garden
Cody was first introduced to riding waves at Mount Maunganui, where, like so many kids in the area, he would spend his days frolicking in the whitewater to escape the scorching heat of the Bay of Plenty summer. Come high school, his family moved to Kerikeri in the far north and his addiction to riding waves began. Every weekend, Cody and his Dad, who rode a surfboard and loved the gentle beach breaks that Northland has to offer, hunted for rollers in the wave rich region. While not always being exposed to waves suited to bodyboarding, it was a lifestyle that consumed the both of them and defined their relationship. Besides, Cody was none the wiser about good bodyboarding waves - growing up on the northeast coast you don’t get to see heavy waves very often. After leaving school, he did some solid time doing the nine-to-five slog (something he asserts that he will never do again) and had eventually saved enough currency to check out his dream destination - South America.
“In South America I was introduced to a consistent quality of waves that I had never experienced before. When I got back from traveling I couldn’t see myself groveling in the Kerikeri beaches anymore, so took off traveling around New Zealand for a bit. I got to Dunedin, liked the waves, and decided to stay and earn a bit more money. I never really planned on staying long-term, but it worked out well. I met a girl and committed to studying nursing while trying to get as many waves as I possibly could.”
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/Lost for Words/ The Cody Smith interview
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Chris Garden
It was the consistent quality of the Deep South that brought Cody out of his shell - surfing-wise anyway. Personality-wise it was a different story. For the first year of living in Dunedin he basically didn’t utter a single word to anyone. No shit. On a road trip down south once he went the entire three-hour drive without saying one word. Eventually he’d whisper a word or two, but still, to this day, he remains largely tight-lipped, interspersed with moments of pure verbal diarrhea laced with some of the oddest questions you are ever likely to hear.
“Haha, yeah, I am a little bit shy. But also I hardy saw anyone in the surf that first year. Dunedin bodyboarders are a rare sight in winter”
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/Lost for Words/ The Cody Smith interview
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Chris Garden
Most bodyboarders know that burning feeling when they miss a good session. It seems that Cody feels that burn more than anyone on earth. “It is like all the rush and stoke and amp and anticipation and pure giddy beautiful joy of a good surf, but the polar opposite.” He’ll be sour for weeks if he misses a good session at the local beachies, months if he misses his favourite wedge, and still hasn’t got over the time he missed out on 6/10 Dinner Plates surf two and a half years ago. It’s pretty clear that bodyboarding is well beyond a frivolous obsession. It’s become a full-blown addiction, and like most addicts, he won’t let anything stand in his way of getting his next fix. He’s missed countless classes at nursing school to chase waves… if you get Cody as your nurse one day, you better hope that your injury was covered in one of the classes he did attend, or you might just walk out from the hospital worse off. Another time, during a three week nursing placement at a local GP, Cody had used up every excuse in the book to get out of being there to chase waves. On the last day the surf was cranking at the fickle Monumentalz (see ISOmag #2). His frustration was spilling through into his work and the usually polite Cody was becoming snappy at his fellow nurses. The final straw was receiving text messages from everyone saying how good it was. Cody plucked up the courage to knock on the head doctor’s door and tell him the truth.
“Look, the surf is amazing right now and I just can’t do this. I’m sorry.” The doc quickly diagnosed him with acute surf addiction, and let him go. As you can imagine, trying to balance his addiction and school commitments is tough. Factor in the lady in his life, and things become a whole lot tougher. So many times Cody has pulled the pin on family dinners, date nights and the all important ‘quality time’… often ending up in the dog box because of it. “I try my best not to have anything at all booked in advance in case there are waves on the cards. I can catch up on my classes and my girlfriend is pretty amazing and extremely tolerant.”
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Chris Garden
While he’s not breaking any performance barriers with his bodyboarding, he charges damn hard and has been labeled as a bit of a nutter after many solo escapades in heavy waves. Dinner Plates is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s heaviest waves, but that doesn’t stop him from surfing it alone, no matter how big it may be. Despite all of the immediate dangers… sharks, drowning, the shallow reef, the isolation, and the potential of getting seriously injured, he persists and is often rewarded with gaping tubes all to his lonesome. It doesn’t end there. Recently he’s had his eye on a certain bombie that lies three kilometres off the coast and has a reputation as being the heaviest wave in New Zealand - heavy enough to make Dinner Plates look more like the Bay of Plenty beach breaks that he grew up in. In true Cody style, paddling alone for an hour through the deepest, darkest, sharkiest water imaginable, only to be met with the heaviest slabs this country produces, is something that he just feels compelled to do.
“I like the element of fear that you can access by surfing out there, and being amongst heavy waves in general. Fear is not something I get to experience much in everyday life and it is an interesting sensation. And good waves are such a rare and elusive thing, I find it hard not to at least try and give it a go. I would love some company, or better yet for someone to fork out for a ski! “ Usually interviews like this end with a cheesy paragraph about what the interviewee plans on doing next, a few goals and a nice quote to round it off. But that’s not possible in this case. As you read earlier, Cody doesn’t like to plan too far ahead in case he misses out on waves, and has so little to say that we couldn’t get a cheesy quote out of him anyway. One thing’s for sure - his addiction will never be cured and you’ll be seeing a lot more pics of him pioneering distant bombies in the near future.
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/Lost for Words/ The Cody Smith interview
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Doona Park, 10th April 2009 Photos Ryan Isherwood
“It was easter 2009 and there were heaps of crew in the Catos. We were watching another wave that wasn’t really doing it. Rye went for a piss off the cliff and saw one on this other patch of reef. It was heaps inconsistent and we thought it was only like two foot. Then I saw one spit and was like ‘fuck it I’ll guinea pig it’. I got out there and realised it was about four foot and that it was a legit wave. The tide dropped a bit and it started to get hollower and more consistent. The rest is history. The name came from a convo we had about duvets and what a gay name ‘doona’ was. Then when I was fizzing to Rye on how heavy the take off was out there, I dropped ‘the shit looks like Luna Park’ and he was like ‘pfffft…more like doona park.’ Boom, spot named!” - Sam Wells
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Sam Wells Ryan Isherwood
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Sam Wells Ryan Isherwood
130 ISOMAG, NOSTALGIA: DOONA PARK.
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Greg Hodgson
Deser Sessi
It took more than 30 hours for Brendan Dorman, Greg Hodgson and Toby Player to drive their rental Toyo to the wave-stacked coast of South Australia. The drive, the heat, and the feral desert lifestyle tested the occasions. Luckily, they scored a few sessions in perfect and uncrowded waves, undoubtedly saving the Words by Greg Hodgson 132 ISOMAG, SCOOP: DESERT SESSIONS.
rt ions
ota Corolla from central Sydney eir friendship on numerous em from imminent insanity.
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Desert Sessions “South Australia is a land of dangerous waves, desperate men (90%) and dirty woman (10%), big lumps of meat with teeth that inhabit the ocean, and long straight roads engraved boldly amongst painted landscapes.� - Greg Hodgson
Toby Player Brendan Dorman
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Greg Hodgson
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Desert Sessions “The area is a bit like a new amusement park that opens with all the most dangerous and exciting rides, but is stupidly located miles from the average suburban household.� - Greg Hodgson
136 ISOMAG, SCOOP: DESERT SESSIONS.
Brendan Dorman Greg Hodgson
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Desert Sessions “People talk about the desert from afar with Lizard Kinginspired grandiose visions of adventure and self-discovery. When you get there, the reality is that it's fucking hot and the locals will slit your city-boy throat in a second if you look at ‘em sideways.” - Greg Hodgson
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Brendan Dorman Greg Hodgson
Greg Hodgson
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Desert Sessions “The land is plagued by swarms of locusts that throw themselves at passing cars, scarring windscreens and bonnets with locust puss. Baked in the 40 degree heat for two days and you have a new concrete-like bumper for your hire car.” - Greg Hodgson
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Greg Hodgson
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142 ISOMAG, ZONE: REGIONAL NEWS.
Nth
By Blackman
Up north there’s been regular wave action around the place to keep everyone occupied. Big Daddy Dowman has had waves everywhere from Hendo’s and The Bluff way up north to The Box a bit further south, and even some Keri reefs when Wilma came and visited for half a day. Oceans has been providing a few fun days here and there. The week leading up to Cyclone Wilma provided a run of about four days of waves. Everyone’s ‘favourite wave they’ll never surf’ came to life for half a day and myself, John Diamond (home for a short stint over summer) and the notorious North Island Goose (Dave Campbell) braved the floods and got into it early. In the end it didn’t really provide the goods… 40 knot WSW winds will usually wreck any chances of good waves, and sure enough that’s what happened. A couple of fun ones on the beachies later in the day (complete with pretty funky tasting water) provided something that was worth driving for, but only just. By the end of this week we might have seen some action from the new guy Zaka, so plenty of waves for everyone at this end of the country, with water still pretty warm!
Akl
By JKFM
And just like that... spring blows out and summer arrives. Springy’s are the norm and even the boardies have been broken out on occasions. Ahhhh summer...she gives us a fleeting month of burning heat and blazing sun, and then she disappears to leave us with stinking humidity and rain. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, in fact far from it. Apart from having to listen to people (me) whinge about the humidity and lack of sleep, it’s the frequent offshores out west and cyclone swells out east that have kept us well entertained this summer... and there’s plenty more to come yet. The West Coast has been pumping lately. Myself, Bren, Frosty, Davey B and his bro Paul, Joz, Andre the little and even Mister Vescovato himself, Thierry Teo, have been getting amongst the gold on offer courtesy of La Nina. There’s been plenty of low tide goodness at most of the well known beachies, and the odd high tide rip bowl as well. As hard a paddle they are, jeez Louise the waves they produce are magic! Pumping four foot right handers that keep bowling up and producing hittable sections and sick barrels until your legs cramp up or it’s too dark to see are what summer’s all about. Also having some sick low tide banks around that are handling anything from one to six foot plus has meant that there have been plenty of options around if you’re in the loop. In other news, West Coast local DK rider Junior Coff is now the new 95bFM surf report guy, keeping everyone in stitches with his rambling and stories from the night before. Spock has become a dad and very sleep-deprived in the process… there have been a few vague sightings of a booger who appears to be sleeping in between waves. Lowey is adamant that he is back on the boog in a big way and by the time I type this, I’m sure he will already have his new board and will be out west tearing the shit outta some terrified wave. Auckland has been pretty sweet this summer so far, and there are a few more months to be banked. My account has been opened with some solid kegs and super-fun waves with the 09 crew. Next report we’ll be heading into autumn again and planning our winter escapes!
Bop
Rag
By Paulie
I don’t know where to start so I won’t! Just be greatful I found the time to put this issue together... ISOMAG, ZONE: REGIONAL NEWS. 145
Brad Upson Andre Apel
By JFez Flat and onshore... that’s been Gizzy for much of the last few months. Barely has the swell increased past the three foot mark, and only four times in five months have the beaches seen four foot plus. With such meagre pickings, most have taken to travelling to other regions in search of decent waves. Though it does sound pretty dismal, the festive season is always an enjoyable time on the East Coast and sometimes I think it’s a minor blessing that we haven’t had solid swells while 25,000+ intoxicated Rhythm and Vines revellers are camped here, as the beaches are chaotic enough without adding the serious currents associated with larger ocean pulses. I don’t like reporting that there hasn’t been anything substantial, but that is just how it has been. As we turn towards autumn things are beginning to look a touch more positive, a few weather systems have started to connect with the coastline and really it can only get better as I can’t remember a worse summer! 144 ISOMAG, ZONE: REGIONAL NEWS.
Wtgn
By Cuda
Summer. “Yawn.” Next! Photog extraordinaire and West Coast terrorist Kane McMillan reports “not a sausage over summer.” A summer without sausages? Hard to imagine, but in a metaphorical sense it has been a summer of vegetarian BBQs. There have been very few days of meaty goodness. The usual myth spots have stayed just that - mythical. Forecasts promise so much and reality keeps delivering so little. The New Year dished up a week of south swell that did see every kook in Wellington jump in their Subaru and head to the beach to rip up the curl. Dan Fili scored fun Wainui and Damon reports some fun days at Breakers. West Coast bums David and Logan also got amongst the south swell. These groms have been ripping of late and under the guidance of Tbay legend Duncan Smith, the legacy of rippers from Porirua looks set to continue. A large contingent of Wellington boogers spent the summer chasing swells in the tropics. While the waves didn’t live up to initial expectations, their trip still yielded many a tale (some not suitable for this publication). Questions… Who danced every night in the club with a 3rd leg? Who fell in love? Who scared every female he encountered? Who got the wave of the trip? Answers… Nick Hall got the wave of the trip, but the rest can stay on tour. The shallow reefs also dished up their share of pain with Harry Silver requiring stitches for a hole that went all the way to the bone and yours truly copping six to eight weeks out of the water with fractured ribs. Lesson -always travel with insurance and don’t kook it on those two foot days! Pete Weber, ever the soul man, shunned the crowds and ventured to an unknown dot in the Pacific. We wait with baited breath to hear his reports. Greymouth creep Kris Martin is rumoured to be in town. Will the boy get a break from the rigors of Police College and get amongst the autumn swells? “Marto,” “Marto,”… To be continued next issue…
By Joltan Prior to the month of January, Sam Wells, Woody and I locked into some rare Poo Pipe waves. Small waves, but quite a treat to surf. What wasn’t a treat was that I actually fell really ill for six days after that surf. Diagnosed with Giardia (which is commonly caused from open sewerage contact), I couldn’t eat anything and was spewing and shitting myself constantly. The only plus side was losing 6 kg’s! Janus the Roman God of January blessed Blaketown with his two faces, and within that month Blako’s truly was bipolar. One day it would be messed up junk and shitty; next day it would be offshore with the corner bank firing on all cylinders. All the locals have been ripping up the sweet banks with special mention of Wayne Ryan who has been seen busting some pretty mint inverts. The warmer waters always attract the randoms and there have been some young’uns on the boog coming out at Blaketown who I’ve never seen before. Great to see. Also one of the original crew of the Blaketown Bodyboarders was sighted at the end of January, one Elliot Bruce. The fulla is still ripping and was pulling into some nice bazzas. Jade de Goldi and myself held a ‘learn to boog’ session in mid January with a small turn out of about six peeps. A couple of super-groms around the age of 12 and a few older crew came down to Karoro to have some fun in the one foot shories. Hopefully we’ll do this again sometime! ISOMAG, ZONE: REGIONAL NEWS. 145
Special mention must go to Tezza Ferguson, this ‘young at heart’ old man has been so dedicated to the boog this year it’s actually crazy. His new year’s resolution must be to surf every day. I would put money down that he has surfed more than any other surfer this year out of anyone in the whole country, on any type of surf vehicle. Keep it up Tezza. Grommies should take a page out of his book for sure!
Hayden Middleton Sam Peters
Chch
By Ryno
“Stop Press: We have received word that all the Christchurch bodyboarders that we know of survived the tragic Christchurch earthquake of 22 February. Our best wishes go out to all those affected by the quake.” 146 ISOMAG, ZONE: REGIONAL NEWS.
Summer…where to start... We’ve had one of the better spells along these shores in a long time. New Brighton beach has actually had some cracking little days this summer with fun little banks and a few good swells. Liam Blanchfield was even spotted with board and all getting amongst the action. East is best! Swell that is. Yep, plenty of swells from the east this summer have also had a few groms frothing at the bit to get out there, with Taylors Mistake being the pick of the bunch on these swells. Young Jack Blackman has been all over the waves and also all over his cellphone keypad sending countless texts to the boys amping to get a good sesh in somewhere. Good to see a grom chomping at the bit! Business as usual for Wellsy and myself chasing every swell available and Sam Brooks has come out of short retirement and got back behind the lens much to the delight of Bones, Hodge, and Naicups who have also been chasing the goods. Finally, underground hellman Aran Naismith reportedly ripped his Rotator cuff with a Hubb-sized roll at a recent fun session. No one saw this, but he has assured all of us it was legit.
By Shroom
It’s been a funny old summer. Plenty of big swells from the south and east with wind and rain from all directions, which equals plenty of variety. A few reports of some sick waves at unmentionable spots and plenty of fun days at the regular joints. One day at Aramoana a few days after new years was absolutely freezing with guys in hoods and 4/3mm’s, not to mention thunder, lightning and the biggest hail stones the crew had ever seen. Pretty classic seeing the whole lineup ducking for cover underwater until the storm passed. There has been a mass exodus of some of the towns most dedicated bodyboarders like Ed Saltau, Bmac and John Martin. Their departure coincided with the closure of the notorious Hotel Oxford, which is apparently going to be demolished due to the infestation of STD’s left behind rendering the place unlivable. You’d think that the lineups would be a little less crowded but not so. A few old timers have come out of the woodwork as they always do in summer, notably Matty Matahaere who pulled the race card to get priority during a fun session at Blackhead. Jeremy Gantley has moved back down south and is amping to get wet, and WillyT made a brief appearance to gather voter support for his upcoming bid to become prime minister. Craig Latimer has been squeezing in the odd surf between family duties and recently put his DK prowess to good use and got down on one knee to pop the big question to his long-term missus. Dunedin hosted the surfing nationals in mid-January. A piss poor turnout and a forecast that never delivered ensured it was one of the worst comps in living memory! To top it off, the waves absolutely pumped during the prize giving. Not that anyone cared as the two-kegs-fuelled antics at the after party were next level, with Dr Casey Keen proving that his motocross days are far from over! Goose snatched the Open Men’s title with an inspiring Jeff Hubbard style approach. The DK final was the heat of the day with Keno just nudging out Craig Lats, and the Women’s final was won by the finest cougar you’re ever likely to see. Dan Wadsworth came out of retirement with the sole purpose of winning some trophies to display in his tattoo shop and did just that. That’s summer done and dusted, and a good one it was by all accounts. Everyone’s looking forward to getting as many waves as possible over the autumn months before winter hibernation begins. Bring it!
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Chad Barlow
Small Talk
with
Chris Hubbard
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Small Talk
with
Chris Hubbard
Chad Barlow 150 ISOMAG, SMALL TALK: WITH CHRIS HUBBARD.
Name:
Christopher Michael Hubbard the first
Nickname:
Surprisingly I have had a couple over there years… where do I start… well try these for starters… Stumpy, Hubbit, Little Legs, Tom Thumb, Frodo (I'm not fucking Frodo ok!!!), Shorty, Tripod, Umpa, Weeman… there seems to be a common theme there but I just can't seem to put my finger on it.
Age:
32......fuck.... :-(
Hometown/current town:
Originally from Whangarei in Northland but my home for the past 5-6 years has been Manly (Sydney), Australia.
Job:
Internal Sales for a Swiss Firm. Good culture and good people - a pretty chilled place really.
How did you get into bodyboarding:
Back in the day all the coolest kids were doing it. I needed something to do over the summer holidays as a 16 year old grom and visited some friends in Taranaki who were super-amped on riding of the boogie board. The addiction has grown since there.
Travel:
Surf-wise most of beautiful New Zealand, Aussie land - the Goldie, NSW coast and six months in Margaret River. I was also lucky enough to spend a fun summer in Cornwall, a year surfing in the beautiful northwest Irish county of Donegal. Also a couple of weeks in the Canary Islands for good measure.
Favourite waves:
I would probably have to say Mystics Wedge and Blackrock, two of the most fun waves you can ever surf making you feel like a lil’ kid in a playground. I also have to rate Raglan's point breaks for how consistent and fun they are on the knee (yes I know they are pretty shithouse for prone). Whangarei's Ocean Beach will always have a special place in my heart for the good times and old school factor growing up there as a naive stupid grommet.
Favourite international riders:
I would have to say I highly rate a lot of the underground Aussie DK riders not just for their highly underrated ability but because they are pretty good dudes in person as well… guys like Jake Sharpe, Kim Feast, Dan Pope and the whole DK Sessions crew who are a shitload better than people realise... cool cats who seriously fuck shit up in the water.
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Small Talk
with
Chris Hubbard
152 ISOMAG, SMALL TALK: WITH CHRIS HUBBARD.
Chris Hubbard Tim Jones
Chad Barlow
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Favourite New Zealand riders:
Benny Mac and Johnny Diamond for busting big with a no-fear approach and for backing themselves and chasing their dreams internationally. I think B-Max is due some big-time luck sometime soon. Also Duncan Smith is up there with his smooth clean flowing style. The biggest disappointment for me is the wasted potential of the Far North’s Barry Beazely. Undoubtedly well before his time and arguably in his peak one the best free surfers in the country but unfortunately, like many before him, he fell victim to the dreaded lures of the Kaitaia KFC glory hole. Oh and this Willy Nepia kid… have heard nothing but good things so keep close tabs on him.
Best surf trip:
Probably just those sneaky weekend trips up and down the NSW coast with Chad “Limpy” Barlow and Brendo “Don’t Fucking Run that Shot” Dorman. Good waves and good times with good people, can’t ask for much more than that really. Speaking of Brendo he has been pushing the envelope recently chasing some big swells in waves of consequence over here.
Favourite movies:
What is this a dating site or something? Fu Manchu, No Friends I, II and III and that old school classic Killer Days… changed my life I swear!
Favourite board:
Probably an old skool Toobs DKB I had back in the day. I tried to copy the template with a few customs but it never seemed to go as well as the original.
Best thing you’ve seen in the water:
Accidentally paddling into the middle of a few pro photo sessions while in Margaret River and seeing how explosive they were in the water. It was quite inspiring and very humbling... was almost like watching a bodyboarding DVD through your own eyes.
Music:
Anything real and with substance, if that makes sense?
Thoughts on the BBSNZ tour:
Seems to be chugging along nicely with K Mac and Mihi leading the helm with some serious commitment. It really needs people to get off their ass a bit more and get behind them and go to comps just for the good times if nothing else.
Small Talk
with
Chris Hubbard
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Hero/inspiration:
This might sound kinda gay, but I would say my Dad. I learnt so much from him on how to live your life with solid values and respect for others no matter what walk of life they are from… not just to live life for yourself like so many do.
Best night out:
Summer BBQ’s on Sydney’s beautiful beaches, house parties with good friends and it’s no secret that I look for any excuse humanly possible for a good old fashioned dress up party! Am I trying to tell myself something without actually telling myself something??? Hahaha.
Chicks:
This award would have to go to good old Lindsay Butler. She may actually be an overly irate psycho lesbian hose beast stalker but she is nothing but a big softy at heart.
Fear:
This is going to sound dumb having surfed half my life, but I’m so fucking scared of deep water. Also, not so surprisingly, I have a massive fear of heights, I can’t walk to the edge of a cliff... I kinda have to crawl and sneak up and peak over the edge before freaking out and rapidly stumbling backwards. Strangely enough, I love flying!
Words that you live by:
Do what makes you happy, not what others say you should do. As long as you aren’t hurting anyone and you are happy, what difference does it make right?
Aside from bodyboarding, what else are you into:
After eight years out and despite possessing Candy Floss Hamstrings, I recently got back into Football (soccer) and have rapidly developed into one of the most feared nonscoring strikers on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Favourite thing about the New Zealand Bodyboard scene:
I just love how small, tight and underground the whole New Zealand crew is. They all bodyboard for the right reasons... for the love of it, and are a unique bunch of massive characters. Despite their geographical disparity, they have a strong sense of togetherness and identity with many being very, very good mates!
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Max Clifford
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Chris Garden
Sneak Peak Next issue, out June 1st. How could it be that our most feared, photographed and internationally-famous bodyboarding wave has hardly made an appearance in ISOmag’s digitally-bound pages? Dinner Plates is responsible for some of the greatest moments in our sport’s short history in New Zealand, and it’s time to pay homage to her. Some might say it’s been a long time coming, and we absolutely agree.
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Recently there have been a few good sessions go down on the craggy rock ledge and by the time issue six rolls out on the 1st of June, there should have been plenty more. It’s coming into the prime season for waves on every coast of our fair land, so the next issue should packed from cover to cover with autumn bliss.
For now though, we leave you with a small taste of Dinner Plates that can only be summed up in the words of American vocalist Ne-Yo. “She’s a monster, a beautiful monster.”
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