Brush with surfing fame....

Any good experiences to share? As a kiwi growing up we were always blown away when we saw a real pro hit town.

After I finished Uni I had a few months to kill before heading off to Indo on route to Europe....I had this opportunity to head down to TB land and work on this house up in the hills....its was an absolute mansion that had fallen into a state of disrepair and the American owners were wanting to sell it. 15 of us headed down and stayed in this 12 bedroom ex. palace and did the gardens and painted the place inside and out. In the evenings we would play poker, drink beer, jam and a few other things.....after one such session I made my way to Wainui the next morning for the early and paddled out feeling like absolute crap. It was 3ft and perfect A frames were coming in. As I made my way to the lineup I was coughing and spluttering, practically spewing my guts up as I struggled along. This bloke paddled up next to me and whacked me on the back a few times telling me to spew it all out and I would feel better. I promptly obeyed. This bloke then paddled out to the peak whilst I was still struggling to breathe and took off..........it was Potz !!! And he ripped this wave apart. I had never seen surfing like it before. It was a real eye opener. For the next few hrs I traded peaks with him and even split a few. He was so friendly and I was star struck. Turned out to be a great day

Cool story Ted I see Occy up at Lm a fair bit last time he walked past he hacked up a big golly and spat it in the middle of the path where all the kids play dirty prick. I have had the privilege of surfing with Asea and mumbles once at Main beach I was humbled by the experience Asea is such a gentleman despite the fame

I read once that Occy takes a plastic bag with him when he runs and picks up rubbish until its full. I like that so am happy to forgive him for the indiscretion you witnessed Boofy

I have few, when I was about 16 I met Christian fletcher in Fiji ,

Surfed with MR more times than I can remember 2

and numerous from surfest comp being held in town but I have a ****ty net connection so will post later..

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Surfing/Longboarding/Me-Nat-Young-and-Tractors/

Spent a day surfing with jack Mcoy and few of his mates when I was about 14...heaving offshore reef break and he was slaying it...spent about an hour chating to Matt Hoy at a comp last year....cool guy...I was too nervous to talk to MR and Simon Anderson who were both in the carpark

Maybe you need a different saying on your Tee, how about?

" Riding a SUP is like humping a fat chick

It can be a lot of fun until your friends find out"

i added this before but since you asked... Big will ( my boy ) with this legend...me behind the lens..soo nervous i forgot to turn the camera on 1st time...im like sorry kelly just wait a sec mate

I wish I had been on the Goldie when Gerry Lopez graced us last year ... that would have been smoking hot oh and the only universal superstars I've met are (in no particular order!!!) .... 62.007 Mac , the Chrispy-one , Weirsy , V12 Vanders , Tryfan , the Boof , Kadi , Steve Del , MickyPC .... be a few more though soon enough

I've been lucky enough to meet quite a few of my heroes over time.

Notably was Gary Elkerton trying to sell me amway, Having a cup of tea and cake with Sunny Garcia and his wife and some other famous dudes staying at my house, sponsored guys that ride for companies I worked for etc etc.

The morning with Gerry that Lacey talks about above and a piece he wrote for me to be read at an industry night is the highlight for me though. The guy is a god, fully starstruck. I remember riding one wave the whole way from the rock to the carpark with him right beside me and just hooting the whole way.... Wow, that's Gerry Lopez. Insane!

The Immortals .... and the Legend known as the Asea