It may not be the first thing you’d expect from a guy nicknamed ‘Handsome’ by his pals, but this week’s featured underground wave assassin holds his own when the ocean gets tough.
Raised on a staple diet of powerful reefs and beachbreaks on Durban’s Bluff, Paul Daniel charges hard and slays the small stuff too – like every accomplished Surf Ninja would.
NAME: Paul Daniel
AGE: 34
LOCAL SPOT: Llandudno
BEST THING ABOUT SURFING?
The travel and the escape.
WORST THING ABOUT SURFING?
Aggro lineups. There are a lot people that miss the whole point of surfing.
TO MAKE A LIVING I…
I capture moving images and document all different subjects. It’s not always easy, but I’m very fortunate to be able to do what I do.
THREE TRACKS THAT HELP YOU SHRED?
Interpol – PDA
A Perfect Circle – The Noose
TV on Radio – Wolf like me
BEST SURFER IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW?
I’m going to go with Dane Reynolds. Really love his raw approach!
DAWNIE OR ARVO SESH?
If I’m on the East Coast its all about the Dawnie, and on the West Coast its all about the Arvo sesh.
WHICH SURF SPOT DO YOU HAVE TO SURF BEFORE YOU DIE?
I really want to surf all the points around Salina Cruz. I had a little taste in July, but I am keen to go back and surf it 6ft and perfect.
WHEN YOU ARE NOT SURFING, YOU CAN BE FOUND WHERE?
Just hanging out with my friends, mostly.
BIGGEST FEAR?
Being injured to the point of not being able to surf. I had a really close call at Dunes earlier this year. I hurt my neck and was out for two months. It’s not something I want to repeat.
BEST SURFING MEMORY?
Coming home from school and trading barrels with my brother Matt straight in front of my parents’ house at Ansteys.
