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This past Friday saw many of the who's who of the SA big wave scene gathered together at La Cabane restaurant in Hout Bay for the inaugural Rebel Sessions awards. Apart from bragging rights, there were some serious cash prizes up for grabs going to the surfers who charged the hardest and went the biggest during the 100 days the competition ran. Although these guys always go hard, regardless of money or glory, it's rad to see true watermen getting rewarded for their heroics at sea.
After all the handshakes and big cheques were handed out we managed to corner two of the evening's biggest winners: Jeremy Johnson who claimed R20 000 for biggest paddle-in wave, and Mike Schlebach who pocketed R50 000 for the best surfed paddle-in wave. Here’s what they had to say.
Interviews by Alan van Gysen
Favourite Wave? Sunset. Dungeons is awesome, but in comparison Sunset is a much friendlier, perfect big wave. Although there is arguably more meat in the waves, it is more user friendly and you can fine tune certain things on the more predictable walls.
What drew you to big waves? Ever since I was a kid I've been a part of the ocean. I used to sail for South Africa, paddle, and did a lot of diving. I have a profound respect for the sea, but am more comfortable in the sea than most I guess. I always enjoyed the more juicier waves, and love Sunset and the Factory.
Who are your favourite guys to surf with? Stuart Bradburn usually tows with me, and it is nice to have a mate in the rescue psotiion. We've been mates since kids, so there is a strong bond there. I have always looked up to and enjoy surfing with Andrew Marr, Greg Long and Mike Schlebach among others. Guys like these and the whole big wave brotherhood have been super supportive.
Rebel Sessions? It is an awesome event and concept. All the guys are very stoked and appreciate the support, and it was great to have the rescue out there on all the big sessions this year. Solely from a big wave surfing point of view, most of us were just out there to surf as usual, but it was great to go back post-surf and watch the footage and see what we did right or wrong. It is awesome to have that point of view, and helps better our surfing. I was lucky enough to catch a big wave and to be a winner, but me aside, the winners were a great reflection of the right guys who put themselves on the line every year. I was stoked to be a winner amongst guys like Andy (Marr), Mike (Schlebach), James (Taylor) and Josh (Redman). Even after the awards, the same guys were on the next swell regardless of prize money or contests. Mike's been pulling into some mental pits at Bayview.
Being a goofy footer? It has its moments, haha! In Cape Town it makes it more interesting with all the big rights like Sunset, the Factory and Dungeons, although you can go left at Sunset. It kinda prepares you for the other big wave rights around the world, like Mavericks, Waimea, Aileen's etc. Since you're always surfing them you just get used to it, and it feels normal.
What are you going to do with your prize money if you don't mind me asking? I've actually been invited to a big wave event in Spain. The waiting period starts 1 November and ends in March. There's 24 surfers competing with the same format as Dungeons. It's the biggest big wave event in Europe, so I'm stoked to be invited. I guess that was kinda the point of the Rebel Sessions, to offer the opportunity of taking our surfing further.
Parting note? Thanks to Rebel Sessions and to the guys who made it happen. It is a great concept and award, and it is great to have them supporting the Cape Town and South African big wave scene.
Favourite Wave? Dungeons. Primarily because it offers you something that nowhere else in the world can. You can get the ride of your life out at Dungeons. When you take off you never know what you are going to get. Sometimes a massive wave will just fade out into nothing of consequence, while other times an average wave will double up and give you the ride of your life.
What drew you to big waves? Living in Kommetjie and being surrounded by one of the best heavy-water areas in the world. I used to bodyboard the bigger stuff, and I guess it was only a natural progression for me to want the same in my surfing. I saw a lot of guys doing it, and I knew it was something I wanted to do. I started off at the Factory and big Kom, and shortly after that I was joining my friends at Sunset and Dungeons.
Who are your favourite guys to surf with? Ah you know any one of the big wave crew. We are such a solid group of mates and brothers I'm stoked to surf with any of them. It is always good when the international crew pull in, it always helps to push the boundaries.
Rebel Session? Being the inaugural year, it was very mellow and kiff. Now that ous know there is serious cash up for grabs, it might make things more crowded. But then again we've been worrying about crowds for years, and how events like this and the Red Bull would affect us. Even on a perfect Saturday with a clean swell there isn't too much of a crowd. The event and support is a great way to showcase local talent.
What are you going to be with your prize money if you don't mind me asking? I would most certainly like to use it towards a trip overseas, a new quiver, and it will definitely help take my new business to new levels. We're in the final week before opening our first store in Hout Bay.
Parting note? I'm looking forward to getting over to Mavericks for a good run of swells. I might also try my hand at a few international contests.
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