During the build up to the North Shore Gathering 05, Buddy posted a list of guys he would like to see make the trip.
This list is made up of Australians who I think would make the world titles a better barometer of kneeboard performance levels.
The guys I am listing are unlikely to go and most probaly don't check out this site.
Mick Discassio - from the torquay area, a unique stylist and shaper of distinctive kneeboards, was sited by this poster once, about twenty years ago at the inaugural PI Classic - did 6 vertical lip bashes with full rail bottom turns between each on one wave, while dropping in on Mark mono Stewart, came in and dissppeared. I have heard he surfs the same at Winkipop these days.
Tim Kadwell - from the Victorian East Coast he is one of the most dynamic kneeboarders I have ever seen. His fast low driving style would be suited to the point breaks of Santa Cruz, he is probably one of the few Aussies with the lateral speed of Jack Beresford which he uses for vertical lip bashes that would make your eyes water.
Neil Luke - Island Kneeboard shaper, Phillip Island Classic founder and driving force, competitive dynamo, tube hound, father of 6...............a walking history of competitive kneeboarding in Australia through the 70's and early 80's.
Dean Bould - finalist in the Phillip Island Classic more times than anyone else without getting the no 1 spot. A top turn that would have the purists in Cal crying and those who appreciate radical surfing applauding.
Went to the first Worlds in South Africa and to the NZ world titles in 99.
Chris Carey - another Torquay stylist whose savage top turns and time spent at Bells and Winkipop would hold him in good stead on the points of North Cal, also a legendary water photographer who captured Ross Clarke Jones and Tony Ray at the now legendary Shipsterns from the water to score a cover and centre spread in the same tracks mag.
His 5 fin clusters would have plenty of guys who spend there lives in the design forum jabbering for weeks.
Gavin Lewis- Phillip Islands resident tube pig.
Likes his reef breaks shallow and ledgey.
This guy is one for the purist's - doesn't seem to flash till it gets over 6 foot and starts to barrel, refuse's to buckle and would not be seen dead riding a board made for slop, his twin fin wafers are marginally more effective than spoons in the small stuff, not that he cares.
I wiil leave it to others to throw up some more names and check back later.
World Titles 06 - Guys who should be there .
Moderator: Moderator
Nice work Jamie
How I would love for Micheal D to get involved in "the scene" just a little bit.
We all surfed his boards in the early to late eighties and my biggest wave session ever was on a strapper. Scoop deck turpo finned gems
Most Kneelos I run into around here ride strappers but they are mostly twins and usually square tails...ksusa presents many expansions beyond these and good reasons for the adventure
However, what gave me confidence to continue as kneelo in my early twenties was the word that the most exciting surfer at Bells was Micheal D...a kneelo
It would be oppotune if his shop and kneeboards connected to this site and kicked started some west/surfcoast gatherings...he definately has the brand and the custom to create a vibrant hub
How I would love for Micheal D to get involved in "the scene" just a little bit.
We all surfed his boards in the early to late eighties and my biggest wave session ever was on a strapper. Scoop deck turpo finned gems
Most Kneelos I run into around here ride strappers but they are mostly twins and usually square tails...ksusa presents many expansions beyond these and good reasons for the adventure
However, what gave me confidence to continue as kneelo in my early twenties was the word that the most exciting surfer at Bells was Micheal D...a kneelo
It would be oppotune if his shop and kneeboards connected to this site and kicked started some west/surfcoast gatherings...he definately has the brand and the custom to create a vibrant hub
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ross
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hell post james 
(is that muckyew?)
you've just mentioned a few kneelos i've never even heard of before but obviously rip
someone i'd love to see make a comeback is John Foster (south coast NSW one that is).he was such as smooth surfer.horrible opponent in a heat,i often think he may have beaten me before we had hit the water
Laith Pritchard one of the big men of kneeboarding .another good surfer quite capable of blowing the back out of a wave or two.tended to win his heats on ability rather than hassling skills .
the Simpson brothers.never met em,only ever saw em surf when they were grommies out green island once.the photos are the best explanation.the event horizon.good for the sport to see one of em win.
Marcus Hague where'd he go?good surfer.
how about DWhy Damo?
what about Dale Ponsford?he'd have to be the most well groomed man in kneeboarding
.demon competitor/shaper loves a solid wave,proficient in Kandokneeboarding.
Simon Farrer,hope he returns to the arena.watch the video and be happy that he hasn't competed in a while so others could win
how many good surfers are not likely to compete??farrrk.
what about you muckyew???
ok i'm editing
i'm assuming we're listing people who might win the open division otherwise i'd go nuts here there are so many kneelos i'd love to add to the list that would easily be contenders for their own age divisions.
(is that muckyew?) you've just mentioned a few kneelos i've never even heard of before but obviously rip
someone i'd love to see make a comeback is John Foster (south coast NSW one that is).he was such as smooth surfer.horrible opponent in a heat,i often think he may have beaten me before we had hit the water
Laith Pritchard one of the big men of kneeboarding .another good surfer quite capable of blowing the back out of a wave or two.tended to win his heats on ability rather than hassling skills
.the Simpson brothers.never met em,only ever saw em surf when they were grommies out green island once.the photos are the best explanation.the event horizon.good for the sport to see one of em win.
Marcus Hague where'd he go?good surfer.
how about DWhy Damo?
what about Dale Ponsford?he'd have to be the most well groomed man in kneeboarding
.demon competitor/shaper loves a solid wave,proficient in Kandokneeboarding.Simon Farrer,hope he returns to the arena.watch the video and be happy that he hasn't competed in a while so others could win
how many good surfers are not likely to compete??farrrk.
what about you muckyew???
ok i'm editing
i'm assuming we're listing people who might win the open division otherwise i'd go nuts here there are so many kneelos i'd love to add to the list that would easily be contenders for their own age divisions.
Hey Ross,
yes its Muckyou.
I only covered some of the older vicco(victorians- the southern most mainland state of Australia for the internationals) before i had to tend to the tin lids.
John Foster being from Narooma way is probably next on the way up the coast, and he was a great name to throw out there. A very quite, unassumming character who has more life stories to tell than most.
Perhaps the Aussies who appreciate the larrikin in all of us would have more understanding of his busting out of the navy to go surfing and then doing his time in the brig. Albert Whitemen once told me of a trip from Ulladulla to Taree and back where he reckoned John spoke about 3 words in 8 hrs road time -I digress - it would be great to see him competing in Oz let alone at Santa Cruz.
The Simpson brothers and Mark Slater have as much natural surfing ability as any generation of Aussie kneelo's - i will leave it in the hands of Steeno, Chico and Rob Slater to convince at least one of them to go to Santa Cruz and in the words of Chico "show them guys on the KSUSA site that there is talking about it -which all of us are guilty of - and doing it !which these three guys can do like few others."
There contest results are patchy but there surfing is unquestionably the future of high performance kneeboarding into the next decade.
I will put it back to the forum to see who else gets thrown out there.
yes its Muckyou.
I only covered some of the older vicco(victorians- the southern most mainland state of Australia for the internationals) before i had to tend to the tin lids.
John Foster being from Narooma way is probably next on the way up the coast, and he was a great name to throw out there. A very quite, unassumming character who has more life stories to tell than most.
Perhaps the Aussies who appreciate the larrikin in all of us would have more understanding of his busting out of the navy to go surfing and then doing his time in the brig. Albert Whitemen once told me of a trip from Ulladulla to Taree and back where he reckoned John spoke about 3 words in 8 hrs road time -I digress - it would be great to see him competing in Oz let alone at Santa Cruz.
The Simpson brothers and Mark Slater have as much natural surfing ability as any generation of Aussie kneelo's - i will leave it in the hands of Steeno, Chico and Rob Slater to convince at least one of them to go to Santa Cruz and in the words of Chico "show them guys on the KSUSA site that there is talking about it -which all of us are guilty of - and doing it !which these three guys can do like few others."
There contest results are patchy but there surfing is unquestionably the future of high performance kneeboarding into the next decade.
I will put it back to the forum to see who else gets thrown out there.
Jamie
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surfhorn
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Ya got me, Dorje! Talk about a talented pool of cripples!
To tell you the truth, I would love to see each and every person mentioned turn up next year........and not just for the contest. We have some pretty great waves that are ripe for great KBing. And some gorgeous scenery to boot!
Start saving your spare change now!
To tell you the truth, I would love to see each and every person mentioned turn up next year........and not just for the contest. We have some pretty great waves that are ripe for great KBing. And some gorgeous scenery to boot!
Start saving your spare change now!
kbing since plywood days
Most kneelo contests are a sprinting race in comparison with kneelo world titles. To build your performance level over 5-7 days is a skill I am no longer able to contemplate, in a similar vein are most of the guys I mentioned - able to rip for a couple of surfs but to actually keep a lid on it and not peak till finals day is something the contest hounds have a mortgage on.
So back to the list of should be there guys except the following guys have the marothon experience from years past.
Steeno - the coach, if you have seen him surf in solid waves you will know, now its common to say if contests were only held in good waves I woulda,coulda,shoulda won it...... steeno weighs in around 100kg or 250 or so pounds for you imperial folk ....... and if you like to get airbourne and or surf above the lip then weight to wave size becomes an issue...anyway hopefully Chico will convince him to go and then ...... well if you were at Phillip Is this year then you will know that if Santa cruz is firing and off shore for the week prior and flat and on shore for the comp then Steeno's likely to end up at the snow, in Reno or Vegas or all 3, but he wont be grovelling with the rest.
Simon Farrer - from reading other posts most of you guys have seen the videos...........
Gavin Coleman and Matt Gallagher i list together because after Simon I reckon they are two of the most talented kneelos who have not turned 40 yet. They both have lived in or grown up surfing at Cronulla on Sydneys southside. They both have riden Bruce Harts boards most of the time.
One of them shreds in small to medium waves and the other shreds in most waves and charges big waves like he doesn't care about tomorrow.
The Sydney city beaches next time
So back to the list of should be there guys except the following guys have the marothon experience from years past.
Steeno - the coach, if you have seen him surf in solid waves you will know, now its common to say if contests were only held in good waves I woulda,coulda,shoulda won it...... steeno weighs in around 100kg or 250 or so pounds for you imperial folk ....... and if you like to get airbourne and or surf above the lip then weight to wave size becomes an issue...anyway hopefully Chico will convince him to go and then ...... well if you were at Phillip Is this year then you will know that if Santa cruz is firing and off shore for the week prior and flat and on shore for the comp then Steeno's likely to end up at the snow, in Reno or Vegas or all 3, but he wont be grovelling with the rest.
Simon Farrer - from reading other posts most of you guys have seen the videos...........
Gavin Coleman and Matt Gallagher i list together because after Simon I reckon they are two of the most talented kneelos who have not turned 40 yet. They both have lived in or grown up surfing at Cronulla on Sydneys southside. They both have riden Bruce Harts boards most of the time.
One of them shreds in small to medium waves and the other shreds in most waves and charges big waves like he doesn't care about tomorrow.
The Sydney city beaches next time
Jamie
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finger
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Thank you Jamie
As a Melbourne based kneelo whos first contest was in the Qld 02 worlds.It was also the first chance to meet & surf with other Kneelos.Your first post on this subject has made me appreciate the times in the past when I have met & surfed with several of those you mentioned!!!!
My first board was a Neil Luke mid 70's then 20 years later 2nd board a Mick Discassio (Strapper) then more recently 3rd & current is The Freak another Neil Luke! Also lucky enough to purchase an early Chris Casey (chanelled tail twin fin) from Ebay.
Great topic!!!
I do hope this subject inspires more Aussies to make the trip and show their stuff!!
As a Melbourne based kneelo whos first contest was in the Qld 02 worlds.It was also the first chance to meet & surf with other Kneelos.Your first post on this subject has made me appreciate the times in the past when I have met & surfed with several of those you mentioned!!!!
My first board was a Neil Luke mid 70's then 20 years later 2nd board a Mick Discassio (Strapper) then more recently 3rd & current is The Freak another Neil Luke! Also lucky enough to purchase an early Chris Casey (chanelled tail twin fin) from Ebay.
Great topic!!!
I do hope this subject inspires more Aussies to make the trip and show their stuff!!
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DarcyM
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Who should go
I'd like to see the Hawaiians represented at the next Worlds.
Can you imagine if the Lane was big ... ok, California big, but still ...
Even if some of these guys aren't seasoned contest surfers, you know they'd rip and drop into the heaviest pits out there and put on a helluva show for everyone!
Bud McCray
Mike McGuire
David Shinbara
Jeff Fujimoto
SMOKIN ROCK MIKE!
Holzman brothers
Dave Sears
... probably a bunch others I can't think of right now including guys that rip the outer islands. Hey guys, if the Lane's not big enough and gnarly enough for you, there's a couple spots up north that would probably wet your whistle for a barrel or two or three! I know it's a little cold and hard to pull you away from paradise that time of year, but it's only a week! C'mon down! Show us what you got!
[/list]
Can you imagine if the Lane was big ... ok, California big, but still ...
Even if some of these guys aren't seasoned contest surfers, you know they'd rip and drop into the heaviest pits out there and put on a helluva show for everyone!
Bud McCray
Mike McGuire
David Shinbara
Jeff Fujimoto
SMOKIN ROCK MIKE!
Holzman brothers
Dave Sears
... probably a bunch others I can't think of right now including guys that rip the outer islands. Hey guys, if the Lane's not big enough and gnarly enough for you, there's a couple spots up north that would probably wet your whistle for a barrel or two or three! I know it's a little cold and hard to pull you away from paradise that time of year, but it's only a week! C'mon down! Show us what you got!
[/list]dm
"Push the button, Max!"
"Push the button, Max!"
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ross
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quite the talent pool when you think about it.
almost all of the aussies mentioned dont compete and but may have the ability to take poll position.
i agree with Jamie on these guys;
Gav Coleman,what a fricken powerhouse .i cant believe i forgot him.
Matt Gallagher.great style,my money was on him to win in Tahiti.i reckon he should have another poke at it.
and of course Steen.from memory dangerous man to draw in a heat.i didnt mention him earlier because a) i see on the calender he's already put his hand up and. b) i know he reads this and its un-Australian for one man to openly compliment another.
others for consideration
Novakov,big and small.Whilst inebriated i ordered a beer at the Wollongong contest one year with only half the money to pay for it.as i was about to be apprehended by the bouncers Nov payed for my beer and rescued me.
give that man a world title(another one )
Damien Coase.lets wheel the old man of the sea out for a run.get those huge flippers motoring and horrify onlookers with his composure in solid conditions.
Danny Hanlon(spelling?) doesn't give you the shits when someone can ,not surf for years and then paddle out and do 300 turns on a one foot wave.i've seen this occur at Alberts gathering maybe 3 or 4 years ago.
Andrew Heaton.that man always seemed to be smiling.as a paraniod little kid i could never work out if he was smiling at me or with me maybe he just knew something that i didnt .
i wish we could just steal these peole from thier lives and have em all there at once the finals would be very unpredictable.
almost all of the aussies mentioned dont compete and but may have the ability to take poll position.
i agree with Jamie on these guys;
Gav Coleman,what a fricken powerhouse
.i cant believe i forgot him.Matt Gallagher.great style,my money was on him to win in Tahiti.i reckon he should have another poke at it.
and of course Steen.from memory dangerous man to draw in a heat.i didnt mention him earlier because a) i see on the calender he's already put his hand up and. b) i know he reads this and its un-Australian for one man to openly compliment another
.others for consideration
Novakov,big and small.Whilst inebriated i ordered a beer at the Wollongong contest one year with only half the money to pay for it.as i was about to be apprehended by the bouncers Nov payed for my beer and rescued me.
give that man a world title(another one
)Damien Coase.lets wheel the old man of the sea out for a run.get those huge flippers motoring and horrify onlookers with his composure in solid conditions.
Danny Hanlon(spelling?) doesn't give you the shits when someone can ,not surf for years and then paddle out and do 300 turns on a one foot wave.i've seen this occur at Alberts gathering maybe 3 or 4 years ago.
Andrew Heaton.that man always seemed to be smiling.as a paraniod little kid i could never work out if he was smiling at me or with me
maybe he just knew something that i didnt .i wish we could just steal these peole from thier lives and have em all there at once
the finals would be very unpredictable.-
Steeno
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Thanks Jamie, Ross
I did put my hand up, but then the dates changed, its my busiest money making time of the year that is the last two weeks before christmas, Janaury and February. Makes it impossible for me to go. I am truely bummed as I was looking to taking up some US hospitality, and catch up with some great mates, and surf those NC points with a hundred plus kneelo's.
I would probably suggest that alot of Aussies wont be able to make it because of Christmas, and business at that time of year.
What about Dave Parkes, Stewart Irwin, Brendan Johnson, Ross Bullard, Ross Dillon (
), Damien Gaynor, Craig Ashdown, Greg Bell, Gigs Celliar, Karl Ward, Jamie McHugh, Andrew Heaton, James Anderson, Stan Koefed, Red Cegclowski, Wayne Jennings, Robbie Rennie, Kev Fischer, Paul Mannix, Greg Geddes, Barry Baker, Alex Noye, David Jones, Kenny Stapo, Albert Munoz, Bruce Hart, Andrew Smith........gees i could write a huge list
I did put my hand up, but then the dates changed, its my busiest money making time of the year that is the last two weeks before christmas, Janaury and February. Makes it impossible for me to go. I am truely bummed as I was looking to taking up some US hospitality, and catch up with some great mates, and surf those NC points with a hundred plus kneelo's.
I would probably suggest that alot of Aussies wont be able to make it because of Christmas, and business at that time of year.
What about Dave Parkes, Stewart Irwin, Brendan Johnson, Ross Bullard, Ross Dillon (
), Damien Gaynor, Craig Ashdown, Greg Bell, Gigs Celliar, Karl Ward, Jamie McHugh, Andrew Heaton, James Anderson, Stan Koefed, Red Cegclowski, Wayne Jennings, Robbie Rennie, Kev Fischer, Paul Mannix, Greg Geddes, Barry Baker, Alex Noye, David Jones, Kenny Stapo, Albert Munoz, Bruce Hart, Andrew Smith........gees i could write a huge list