Surf Ninja – Mark Zunckel

Durban’s lineups are littered with underground shredders in amongst the SUPs, the beginners, the longboarders and the surprises floating around in the rip. You can be assured that no matter which day you walk past the New Pier, some unidentified wave slayer will destroy a wave all the way to the pumphouse and leave you scheming ‘who’s that?’.

Mark Zunckel is one such New Pier wave assassin, and he’s this week’s Surf Ninja.

NAME: Mark Zunckel
AGE: 28
LOCAL SPOT: Mossel Bay (Durbs for now)

BEST THING ABOUT SURFING?
So many things, like the feeling when you see the break and it’s firing. Also making that ‘unmakeable’ pit, good calls, uncrowded dawnies, fresh sticks, mates, roadtrips and of course being in the elements.

WORST THING ABOUT SURFING?
Crowds and rainy days with no swell.

TO MAKE A LIVING I..?
Bust it on the construction site.

THREE TRACKS THAT HELP ME SHRED?
1: Pendulum – The Island Part 1
2: The Prodigy – Breathe (Zeds Dead Remix)

3: Haezer – James Bond

BEST SURFER IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW?
Dane!

DAWNIE OR ARVO SESH?
Arvo, no time for dawnie

WHICH SURF SPOT DO YOU HAVE TO SURF BEFORE YOU DIE?
Salina Cruz, Mexico

WHEN YOU ARE NOT SURFING, YOU CAN BE FOUND WHERE?
On the couch.

GREATEST FEAR?
Being murdered.

BEST SURFING MEMORY?
Grom days in Mossels, surfing with mates in the worst conditions – just happy we were the only ones out.