When the swell builds at Durban’s New Pier and the crowd thins to only the bravest and most experienced riders, this underground wave assassin can often be seen getting pitted on the wave of the day. And he is no slouch in the small stuff too. Meet this week’s Surf Ninja, Blane Wood.
NAME: Blane Wood
AGE: 33
LOCAL SPOT: New Pier, Durban
BEST THING ABOUT SURFING?
Running down the pier with mates when you know New Pier is firing and uncrowded.
WORST THING ABOUT SURFING?
Onshore and crowds.
TO MAKE A LIVING I..?
Work as a prototype engineer at Barrows.
THREE TRACKS THAT HELP YOU SHRED?
Blink 182 – First Date
Black Sabbath – War Pigs
Metallica – Enter Sandman
BEST SURFER IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW?
Mick Fanning.
DAWNIE OR ARVO SESH?
Definitely a morning session.
WHICH SPOT DO YOU HAVE TO SURF BEFORE YOU DIE?
North Shore, Hawaii.
WHEN YOU ARE NOT SURFING, YOU CAN BE FOUND WHERE?
Riding my dirt bike with mates.
GREATEST FEAR?
Sharks without a doubt.
BEST SURFING MEMORY?
Getting double barrelled at J-Bay last year on a solid 6-7 foot day.