Listen: Brad Norris on his three wave hold-down
You've all heard about Brad Norris' brush with mortality at the Right last Saturday. Well, two days back, Brad sat down with photographer Chris White to expand upon the wave and the subsequent wipeout.
Norris fell while double-towing with Jake Osman - trying to get the killer behind-the-rider shot of Osman. Despite falling, he knew he'd nailed the photo so he wasn't particularly anxious during the initial stage. "But as soon as I hit the bottom, reality hit," says Norris.
It's an hour long poddy, with a good thirty minutes of it spent in a ponderous state underwater. It was a 'touching the void' for Norris and he's clearly played it over a few times in his head allowing him to elaborate on key moments.
Plenty of chuckles and "fucken oaths" for those who like it raw.
Comments
Lo-fi and rough, and I couldn't always tell who was who, but a pretty good listen. Amazing that he didn't even really know how many waves had gone over him. In fact he still sounded uncertain.
I’ve read other interviews with him where he says he’s had plenty of 2 or 2.5 wave hold downs.. how are you under for 2.5 waves?
Any chance he’s had a two wave hold down and he’s talking it up because 3 sounds a shit load worse?
At about 3 mins i wanted to cease listening.....hung in until 6 mins......how anyone could listen longer?....find that hard to believe.......sorry but i tried and failed!
Could he possibly beg for anymore publicity? News stations and all the surf websites all over Insta..I can't escape! Miss the old days where guys charged balls to the wall without talking it up after
Those guys don't just surf life threatening monsters for the fun of it. Sure in the ole days they did but not these crazy slabs like the RIGHT, SHIPPIES & Solander. Back then they wouldn't even think of it. If someone wipe out and gets documented then its in there interest to milk it. It happens almost every year at Teahupoo. Nathan Fletcher for example. Mind you when you have a hungry media pack shooting its in there interest too.
Wtf are they doing it for then?
@JS
I think everyone involved has different reasons. To explain some else's point of view on big wave surfing would be naive. I think you have asked a great question though. Something that a lot of big wave surfers would have more than one answer for. -
It's a pretty cool experience for a person to push their personal boundaries.
It challenges you in your surfing /"waterman" experience in very humbling ways.
It takes you way out of your comfort zone.
It's extremely dangerous, some people like that.
For some people it's the pinnacle of their surfing life.
For some surfers it extremely fun and enjoyable.
"ONLY A _ _ _ WAVE SURFER KNOWS THE FEELING."
I love pushing peoples personal boundaries! Like sending them to Siberia! But we had no camera crew just for the love of it!
Here here Surfersam,glad someone else said it. Selling his story to every website, sunday times etc, look how brave we are, near death wipeouts! That particular group of guys never goes surfing without a camera crew, its all about the fame and the ego ,they totally got the wrong end of the stick from the get go, strait from the alf carter,/mark vissa school of big wave riding
Too RIGHT. No pun intended!
3rd and hopefully Final Wave.
It's the quiet achiever big wave surfers genuinely disinterested in publicity who'd be great to sit down and have a beer with; those complex beings who are pushing themselves to find themselves and don't give a freckle about media attention. There's nevertheless always the players that luxuriate in the fourth estate abetting "wave warrior" glory.
It's alarming to hear how reliant the current crop of slab/ big wave surfers are on two things-
Air vests and jet ski's .........That's just dangerous.
LS you left out the 3rd and perhaps most important item for these fellas, cameras.
Yep, good call and while we are here. Self promotion on social media.
Slab chasing - another branch of gung ho tribalistas pushing the limits . . . and really the antithesis of soul surfing. But each to their own with digital fauxtographers getting their adrenaline rush too.
Too RIGHT!
Tim,
You probably see a few different groups and or crews when you document these types of waves ( we have mutual friends in the big wave scene.)
How do you feel about the current reliance on jet ski's and air vests?
I was surprised to find out how many of my peers knew very little or no cpr/ first aid training.
do you ever wonder who would be there to save someone if things went bad at the right for instance? It is a long way from shore....
I think it's great that they do the big wave safety summit on the northshore every year (now days).
I Reckon most of these guys do their first aid drills if not why not, but surely they would. That coast is hectic even for just a standard surf so they know the risks are very high.
The jetskis I can understand as how would you paddle and get to your feet in time on those things? Some lid riders are maniacs and paddling. Hats off to em.
The air vest, well, I'd wear one if I was surfing that stuff as well as a Gath hat. I just don't surf that stuff... I ride my dirtbike with a helmet and other protection so why would you not use precautionary equipment if they are available.
If I caught one of these waves (which I don't intend to) I would want someone to catch it on camera and watch it a few times later with mates and beers. I'm not on fakebook or Instagrab so I don't get the telling the world bit but if thats what pays the bills then so be it. I don't see too many millionaires from this pursuit.
Then the next swell do it all again cos getting a sick wave is so addictive.
you're not tim!
you're not tim!
This may sound completely alien. Almost the opposite to what a reader may believe.
Gold Coast is a Tourist Mecca so naturally 1970's groms rebelled against happy snaps.
(You're up yourself)... Inside a Gold Coast 1970's Groms surf/skate cult... SN (exclusive)
No Brisos
No Speedos
No Sunnies (Piss off you bloody Chick Perve) Another greasy real estate agent!
No (Briso)'Surf Stickerz (Surf pictures glassed on decks / sticky taped on walls was Ok!)
Surf Label clothes are for Brisos (If GC grom won Logo prizes it was custom to rid them fast)
You couldn't give Surf Product Away...No I'm not Joking! Family's had to hide it in carports.
Surf Label products were worthless due to Massive U.S. Coca Cola/Uncle Sam backlash.
Strictly No Coca Cola or Mc Donalds... KFC was borderline/Surf Chix allowed Pizza Hut.
No Cameras! Are you a Touro...or something? ...Get Lost.
Surf Magz GC spread had some cred as most were quality items.
I constantly re edit Gold Coast Skateboard History...
Got a'70's GC Skate $nap? You had to have been a Touro before you became a God.
Most of us put together our own Skateboards/Bikes...none could afford a new one.
No sunscreen/Zinc/Tanning lotion...not so tough now. Visors substituted Sunnies
No Wetties...No need to ask? The Man in Suits now in the Surf? Argh! Beginning of the end!
No shoes not ever for skateboarding or pushies even...Ugg boots Ok for Surf Flicks.
No recording your Band (Reused cassette was fine but never for sale)
Proof positive my various band's recordings haven't been heard by the bands 30 years on.
5 years back I gave some away. Then a friend was upset missing out... 'Your Joking right!'
GC Bands sneaked outta town recording at Music Farm as to keep cred. Busted! [SOLD OUT]
Seasonal (GC'Surf flicks ) on then huge screens with 500-1000 hooting skegz was normal.
Home Movies were isolated to individual Board Rider Club Meets.
Video of Local Band was instant deportation from Gold Coast
Mid 70's Softdrink Ad of Surfers Skate Crew remains only 'Footage' of GC '70's skate era?
That I have never again seen since that day ...Anyone?
GC 1970's Groms fought off Tourists/Hollywood/Surf Industry (Last of the Golden Breed)
Our translation of the X files: (These Brisos are giving our Touros a bad name).
3 waves holdown on 20s peroid is a minute !
He is a tough lad to survive it
I agree. Good on him.
Have a 3-wave hold down at the Right getting the shot for your mate? - good work man, go get your payday and a beer.
The other surfer who was heli'd out on Monday at Margs was Brad Norris. Heavy injuries but likely to fully recover. All the best Brad!
Reading through these comments Brad copped a bit of a pasting off some WA fellas.
Some don’t even believe his story!