I notice Gav. Colemans name there.
i hope gav is back and riding kneelos consistantly again- I reckon in the mid 90's Gav was only a whisker behind Simon Farrer. Such a radical surfer a true individual and a genuinly nice bloke.
He only goes windsurfing, and stand-up when it's big. And sometimes a touch of ballroom dancing.
I think P. Island was probably just a one-off for him.
Im not sure how to take the Ball room dancing comment mate.
As a joke Im sure- cause Gav. is one of the most fearless surfers Ive seen. Big Cronulla Pt, Shark Island, Voodoo, Margarets and Nth point WA, not to mention his trip to Hawaii and a place he spent heaps of time at Peurto Escondido.
I spoke to him earlier this year and like you said he was into sailboarding and riding standups on his own on big days at Greenhills.
I am a unashamed Gav Coleman fan- I thought he would go onto win a couple of world titles, but he went on his own journey, like alot of great surfers he dances to his own tune. One thing will never change about the bloke he is a good person and i know all the Sydney kneelo Club guys have heaps of respect for him.
I was hanging with Gav down at PI, he turned up with no board and just his wetsuit, on his own. Everyone was fighthing to lend Gav their board, and true to Gavs talent he went out there and blew it up all over the place. Not bad for a guy who has not ridden a kneeboard for a long time and Dave is right. Everyone here has respect for Gav in the surf, footboarders, boogieboarders, Mal riders and kneelos. When you charge, it does not matter what your riding to get respect. Gav is the best example of this that I know. Love your work Gav. Was great to see you again.
Steeno,
What was the surf like down at PI this year. I really wanted to get there but we all got this filthy virus and i had to have the time off work I needed to get there just laying around like a vege.
Great to hear Gav was there, he'll always be one my all time fav. surfers.
The surf ranged from 3-5 foot and awesome on the high tide to 3-5 foot utter crap on the low tide. This was my tenth trip to the Island this year, I think that says enough about the place in itself. I love it.
can I say that I have seen footage over the years of P I and never have I seen it "going off"....I want to get down there...even if to say "I have been" ...but Neil seems to put on "ONE GREAT EVENT"....it has stood the test of time.....Holman only needed one.....lol
we gotta chat some time....(one interior guy to another)....
cheers matee
Tony
Love that "greenroom" feeling...(don't panic I finally found it)..... good ole' winki on a good day
I'm sure that neither Simon or Gavin will mind me saying this but Gavin was closer than a whisker to Simon thru the mid 90's.
Simon was the nemises..THE one to beat. And everything in a contest sense revolved around that. Gavin was the one true grommet to come up and stare Simon in the face and kinda say 'Watch me!'
I think it was the (Pro) Central Coast Contest..late 1994..Gav and Simon on the victory podium together for the first time in the Opens.
Gav 1st..Simon 2nd and the crowd went wild for the South-side Underdog.
Simon of course, held track for his 4th World Title..and the rest..as they say..
Hey Steen, would have been a trip to catch up..hope all was well. Did you reach the Semi's?
Hey Bruce
I got knocked in the quarter finals, I had Baden, Gav, Myself and RED (South Africa) Both Gav and I paddled around in circles and only got two waves each in ths heat, where as Baden got the highest scoring waves of the comp and Red not far behind. It left Gav and myself scratching for half sandwhiches. Thats surfing I guess. Still a great weekend
It was a great catchup for everyone, almost the only one missing was you.
And remember, the next time you're in a heat with Gav (not to mention BS and Red)..don't relax and chat..you would've been bantering with Gav..'yeah mate..how good is this..!'
You're a 10 year veteran and would have been loving it.