I know they're are a few Kong fans around, might be a good Xmas holiday read.

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Description
A no-holds barred memoir by Gary 'Kong' Elkerton: champion surfer, world class party animal, and, in his own words, 'a half-mad ball of pure aggression'.


In the world of pro-surfing, personalities don't come any bigger than Gary 'Kong' Elkerton.

Born in Ballina and brought up on a prawn trawler, Gary took to surfing when school, discipline and other conventions failed him. Cutting a swathe through the industry, living the life, getting the girls, taking the drugs -- it all added up to a very good time until he woke up one day and found his nickname and reputation had become the 100-pound gorilla on his back, one which it was going to be very tough to rid himself of.

What do you do when everything around you, including the industry you're in, encourages your bad behaviour and then punishes you for it?

An eye-opening wild ride and a great Australian story.




About the Author

Gary 'Kong' Elkerton grew up on a prawn trawler where he developed a healthy disregard for the terrors of the ocean. As a youngster, thinking of ways to get out of going to school, he hit on surfing. It was an ideal life for him as it included partying hard, taking any amount of drugs and drink which was put in front of him, chatting up girls and generally running into trouble.

Luckily he had talent. One of Australian surfing's living legends, a Hall of Fame inductee, one of the Top Five contenders in the heady days of pro surfing in the '80s and '90s, three times ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) 2nd World Title runner up, Kong is also multiple Hawaiian Triple Crown champion and three times reigning undefeated ASP World Masters Champion. He is renowned for his muscular style which has unnerved giants including Michael Ho and Kelly Slater.

I saw the ad' on coastal watch I'll be getting it he was the man when I was a grom.

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62mac said...
I saw the ad' on coastal watch I'll be getting it he was the man when I was a grom.

C'mon Mac, he is not that old.

You were the man when I was a grom

and your the man now Daneli

gee another drug taking hero to inspire the kiddies

My fav surfer growing up.

Btw where is 'Chappy' Jennings these days ?

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62mac said...
and your the man now Daneli

I like this mutual admiration society !

Gazzaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

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laceys lane said...
gee another drug taking hero to inspire the kiddies

Geez nearly have to wait until slater was around to find one that wasn't

Jeff Hakmans Biography is a good read for those that haven't read it.

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laceys lane said...
gee another drug taking hero to inspire the kiddies

Lacey are you sure you don't longboard.

Your sounding like a grumpy old man

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SP said...
Jeff Hakmans Biography is a good read for those that haven't read it.

I agree....read it yrs ago and leant to someone and it was never returned. These days all my books are labeled STOLEN FROM KEV inside the cover where it can not be missed. He was given several chances over the years and finally he came good. His life would make a good movie I reckon.

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Ted the Kiwi said...

SP said...
Jeff Hakmans Biography is a good read for those that haven't read it.

I agree....read it yrs ago and leant to someone and it was never returned. These days all my books are labeled STOLEN FROM KEV inside the cover where it can not be missed. He was given several chances over the years and finally he came good. His life would make a good movie I reckon.

I really should read that book, I feel as if I know him via his association with a mutual friend up the coast.

I would lend you my copy Ian but I do not have it anymore.....its a wonderful read. If you have a relevant story or two I look forward to the next camp fire session for some re-collection

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62mac said...

laceys lane said...
gee another drug taking hero to inspire the kiddies

Lacey are you sure you don't longboard.

Your sounding like a grumpy old man

i've read most of them mac, just don't go with the hype.


a axe wielding maniac would be a good bloke as long as he's a good surfer. little stuff like that gets overlooked.

a certain legend goofy footer is pushed as a legend and top bloke. see he's actions in the water and well it's all this



ps i like kongs surfing

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SP said...

laceys lane said...
gee another drug taking hero to inspire the kiddies

Geez nearly have to wait until slater was around to find one that wasn't

Jeff Hakmans Biography is a good read for those that haven't read it.

Yep and Slaters biography unfortunately was as boring as bat crap.

All of the best biographies have drugs and excess, it's why we read them. We or I have not had an as exciting life as Mötley Crüe, Jim Morrison, Michael Peterson or Kong.

Whether they are good people or not is irrelevant its a certain level of escapism that draws us to them.

Just on Slater,I rode he off many years ago as a fkwit up himself nob Still is maybe

About four years ago I read Pipedreams and it changed my mind on Sla8er
Its a great read and I've read many.The story on his father and he bought his mothers first home way back in his career,respect.

I'll be getting Kongs movie he was The Beast in the surf, man handled everything[}:)]

Nicely put CMC - Its funny how we almost take joy in the failings of others at times. I watched a kite caught in a tree today - I felt for the bloke but could not stop enjoying the scene as it unfolded in front of me I also agree with LL's points. From the few I have seen around these traps they can be a pain in the neck in the water.....once when I was in Brazil me and a mate were surfing a 4 -6ft beachie by ourselves....it was unreal - almost perfect. It was whilst the WCT were in town and Danny Willis and Michael Lowe paddled out - great blokes to share a few peaks with. Very enjoyable afternoon to watch them so close in some really good surf. It was amazing.

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Ted the Kiwi said...
Nicely put CMC - Its funny how we almost take joy in the failings of others at times. I watched a kite caught in a tree today - I felt for the bloke but could not stop enjoying the scene as it unfolded in front of me

I guess that's why Australia's Funniest Home Videos has been running for 25 years.
Did you video the kiter Ted ?
Send it to the Windsurfing room - they'll get a laugh.

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Scotty88 said...st Home Videos has been running for 25 years.
Did you video the kiter Ted ?
Send it to the Windsurfing room - they'll get a laugh.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Surfing/Longboarding/What-to-do-this-arvo/

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62mac said...
Just on Slater,I rode he off many years ago as a fkwit up himself nob Still is maybe

About four years ago I read Pipedreams and it changed my mind on Sla8er
Its a great read and I've read many.The story on his father and he bought his mothers first home way back in his career,respect.

I'll be getting Kongs movie he was The Beast in the surf, man handled everything[}:)]

It's a book mate, you'll have to read it.... I'm sure it will have lots of pictures.

And I thought much the same about slater as you read the same book, was an interesting read.

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Scotty88 said...

Ted the Kiwi said...
Nicely put CMC - Its funny how we almost take joy in the failings of others at times. I watched a kite caught in a tree today - I felt for the bloke but could not stop enjoying the scene as it unfolded in front of me

I guess that's why Australia's Funniest Home Videos has been running for 25 years.
Did you video the kiter Ted ?
Send it to the Windsurfing room - they'll get a laugh.

Gen Room....

Dam its a book really oh well there goes that I have a couple I have not had the time to read

On it - Gold SP.

if any of you could have the chance in life to live like a rock star you would jump in head first.....who wants to read books about boring people. most people are fakes and will only ever get the the chance to experience a hedonistic lifestyle by only reading these so called morally corrupt printed paper.

some people even come out better people than most that you will meet in life....because they dont need to bull**** and realise that all that shimmers is not always gold.(it is for a while) live life

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Ted the Kiwi said...
On it - Gold SP.

the windsurfers will love it..

yeah, i like to read about all that wild stuff for sure. even had a few wild times myself.

i suppose it's how they come through those times and who they are now.

some come out better people, some are still the same and some didn't make.

i guess i'm saying not all are heroes.

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laceys lane said...
yeah, i like to read about all that wild stuff for sure. even had a few wild times myself.

i suppose it's how they come through those times and who they are now.

some come out better people, some are still the same and some didn't make.

i guess i'm saying not all are heroes.

Oh Lacey,yes you were wild and yes you made ityour my hero

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62mac said...

laceys lane said...
yeah, i like to read about all that wild stuff for sure. even had a few wild times myself.

i suppose it's how they come through those times and who they are now.

some come out better people, some are still the same and some didn't make.

i guess i'm saying not all are heroes.

Oh Lacey,yes you were wild and yes you made ityour my hero

really

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Ted the Kiwi said...

no ted, mac's taking the piss, again.


don't you worry, i'll get him back