Who is the next big thing in big wave surfing circles?
Good question – big wave surfing is kind of a ‘slow burn’ thing, where hyped wunderkinder don’t really flare up and change the game – it requires real dedication and passion to develop as a big wave rider. In SA, an underground, unassuming guy who has made such a positive impact lately, purely on his ability and humility, is James Taylor. It’s always a pleasure to watch him surf. Mike Schlebach is really on the rise too, and Frank Soloman is putting himself out there. To be the ‘next big thing’ I think must take an exploratory and pioneering spirit as well, to be a special kind of surfer, who doesn’t just follow the crowds to mainstream spots. Twiggy Baker and Greg Long stand out here, in performance and attitude, especially since Greg is so young still. Finally, Al Mennie in Ireland is riding some remote waves solo, and a young 21-year old, Fergal Smith from Mayo, is on a meteoric rise to ‘Next Big Thing’ stardom, thanks to his own innate technical skills, courage and commitment to de
