Kiwi Surf Magazine

Editors Blog 4

Last Updated on Monday, 26 April 2010 06:32

When KSM came up with the mate v mate feature this issue, it was always meant as a bit of a froth piece. Some light-hearted banter between surfing buddies.

As you’ll read there are plenty of payouts and thinly veiled digs at mates’ preferences for small waves, lack of drinking ability and “greediness” in the surf.

During the creation of the is issue word, then photos and video came to our attention (how could it not) of Doug Young and Same Hawkes amazing feat at Teahupo’o. Dougie rode a barrel he rates better than the one he scored the cover of KSM with back in ’06, and Sam Hawke caught what many are describing as the biggest drop at Chopes in three seasons.

Their’s a different kind of mateship, not surprising given a miscalculation on either’s behalf (and we’re not getting melodramatic here) could result in death. Here’s Sam’s take on their relationship that’s lot different to most.

“Trust is key and communication. I know he will put me in the spot and get me the bomb and also be there to pick me up. He always yelling out at me, ‘slow down, slow down. Now speed up. Speed up – ha! The maddest thing I’ve seen him do is acid drop into a 18 footer at Papas and get eaten up”.

And Dougs’ best Surfing feat? “Jaws ’04,” reckon Sam.
“No one else has come close to repeating an achievement like that.”

The only annoying traits Sam would spill on his mate was, “Anyone who knows him will vouch in that he operates in his ‘Doug time’. If he says ‘I’ll pick you up in an hour.’ you add 90-minutes to it.  He also has this habit of paying you anything he owes you when you’re in town drinking, just as you’re about to buy a round, so he gets free drinks from it!

That little payout aside Sam is full of gratitude to Doug

“He has done everything for me. Pushed me into my first ever wave, then towed me into my first. He was there when I paddled-in the first time at Papatowai then towed me into a beast in Tahiti. Thank you so much Bro”.

Mateship, it’s a beautiful thing.

CM