Surf Ninja – Steven Michelsen

Steve Michelsen (or ‘Laces’ as he’s affectionately known), might be a familiar face in SA surfing due to the fact that wherever Jordy is, Steve follows. That’s because Steve is Jordy’s right hand man on tour – basically filmer/board caddie/best friend to the big guy. What many of us don’t know, however, is that Laces can smack the snot out of a lip or two himself, and he is this week’s Surf Ninja…

NAME: Steven Michelsen
LOCAL SPOT: Llandudno

BEST THING ABOUT SURFING?
New boards.

WORST THING ABOUT ABOUT SURFING?
Cold water and hungry fish.

TO MAKE A LIVING I…?
Film and edit.

THREE TRACKS/ALBUMS THAT HELP YOU SHRED?
Lil Wayne –  Carter III
ASAP – Problems
Alt J – An Awesome Wave

BEST SURFER IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW?
It’s funny, because I spend so much time with them that I really get to knit pick and find faults. But to be honest, Jordy really is the best, hands down, working and filming with him is next level – like that edit we put out from Portugal was all filmed in one session. We arrived late that afternoon after driving for eleven hours from France and got there just before sunset and Jordy wanted a quick surf. He went 13 for 13 – stale fish, slob, indie, you name it – Boom! – we had our Europe section dusted. But my childhood heroes were Shea Lopez and Damien Fahrenfort.

DAWNIE OR ARVO SESH?
Dawnie, for sure, afternoons are spent rendering footage and texting dolls.

WHICH SURF SPOT DO YOU HAVE TO SURF BEFORE YOU DIE?
Either Mavericks or Jaws, when I grow a pair.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT SURFING, YOU CAN BE FOUND WHERE?
Living in a hotel room, where I am usually editing or playing with my cameras, but I love to have a good time aswell…

BIGGEST FEAR?
Being lonely – lucky I’ve got an adopted family that takes care of me 🙂

BEST SURFING MEMORY?
When Jordy won the Billabong Pro in 2010. I was lucky to be staying with him and it felt like I’d won it! Haha, living vicariously through JS…