WavemasterUSA

WaveMaster USA Board Rider's Club

FEATURING: W/M Surftrip reports / W/M Teamrider interviews / WaveMaster Boardrider's gear / and more !

Interview with three time Australian Waveski Champion
(1999, 2002, 2003) &
1999 World Waveski Champion & WaveMaster Team rider,
Nik Boon.

Ripp - How old were you when you first got on a waveski ?
Boony - i was about 12 when i paddled a board for the 1st time.

Ripp - Who got you into the sport ?
Boony: - An Uncle of mine (Pete) introduced me & then I met Col Samways soon after that and have been riding WaveMaster ski's ever since. I started on a WaveMaster Strata 2.5M model and surfed if for years before making the transition to a W/M custom.

Rip - Do you have a special training program apart from surfing ?
Boony - Nope, not really. I free surf as much as I can & when the conditions are ok. Most days after work for a quick session & on week-ends.

Ripp - What have been the most memorable moments for you as a waveski surfer so far ?
Boony - Without a doubt, the world title 1999 in Brazil. Winning that was a great experience and to do so by winning every heat I surfed was very rewarding.

My three national titles are special as well.

Ripp - Worst defeat at a waveski competition ?
Boony - I was still young, heard of a competition up north in Queensland, fancied my chances, but I did'nt have a ride, so I borrowed my Mum's car - and then i got bumped out of the compeition in the 1st round- ouch - it was a long miserable drive home. <chuckles>

Ripp - Could you see yourself surfing big Teahupoo, Tahiti or Pipeline, Hawaii on a waveski ?
Boony - Sure, with the right support crew, enough window so to get the spot working with good surf, i'd be up for all of them. All I konw is that something with W/M is in the works...stay tuned.

Ripp - Any tips for youngster's & newcomer's to the sport ?
Boony - Just keep practicing, never give up. Know your limits as a newbie & don't surf alone in big surf. Get the roll down as soon as you can. Everything else is then so much easier.

Ripp - Worst wipe-out ?
Boony - Catherine Hill Bay, which is in the Newcastle, NSW area. It's off an old coal mine pier. The break is way out there. It was on a big day 12-16'. I was out with Adam, a W/M Team Rider. After catching some big freight trains, I was on my way back out, and got pitched by this monster wave. I lost my wetsuit, it was stripped right off me, my board was just gone, my StyX paddle was nowhere to be found. It took me about 30 mins to get to the beach, Adem found half of my ski washed up the beach & was slowly thinking that I was'tn coming in......but he had a good laugh when I emerged...shaken & naked ! <laugh & big grin>

Ripp - Below is a picture of one of your power aerial slashes. Your famous for your agressive power surfing & amazing aerials - what will be the next big new radical move we can expect to see from you, as you push the limits of the sport ?
Boony - I'm working on perfecting a clean aerial barrel role, off the pitching lip & back on to the wave. That is such a great part of our sport, the moves are endless & i think we'll see alot of new radical moves turning up over the next new years.

Ripp - Any surf spots on the Boony "to do" list ?
Boony - The W/M team have a surf documentary planned - cant' release any secrets yet, stay tuned to WaveMaster - i'm sure you'll hear about it !

Ripp - What do you like most about the new WaveMaster custom tail design?
Boony - I really enjoy the release in the tail, as well as the additional drive it generates from turns. A great plus is that it paddles really fast. Having the new tail design intergrated in the production model, the "Evolution" was a great idea, the recreational waveski surfer will benefit immensley.

Ripp - Rumour has it that, that your a very talented tennis player, is it true ?
Boony - That's right, i play mixed doubles every week with my girlfreind, but you know I can hold my own mate, we've had a few good matches over the years & don't worry, the day will come when I will claim victory, even if i have to tie your shoe-laces together - your too fast for your own good mate ! <grin>

Ripp - Ok, your on, winner receives priority on a wave during our next competition heat ? <laugher>
Boony - Ok

Ripp - Kevin Marshall, an amazing competitor through-out his carereer, multiple australian championships & on top of that, the nicest guy ever & still going strong in his 50's, will we see you surfing at competitions as a Senior and then a Master ?
Boony - I am fairly sure that i'll be competing as a senior (30-39), not sure about competing as a master, that's way's away mate, i'm still going strong in the Open Age (20-29) and the Open category.

Ripp - What have you done with the board that won you the 1999 World Waveski Champioinship in Brazil ?
Boony - After getting back, I asked the WaveMaster crew to touch it up for me, now it's on display at home & won't ever leave the house again. <smile> That board worked really well for me. I remember that I found some cracks/dings in the rails after the long journey from Australia to Brazil, but not until i had surfed it a few times in Brazil prior to the event. I was worried that it might have taken on water, but it wall worked out in the end.

Ripp - When can the U.S. expect to see you at a U.S. waveski competition ?
Boony - I've heard of some great spots in California & have seen pictures/video footage of Rincon & the ranch, those spots look alot like the central coast in New South Wales. I'd love to have a few weeks to travel along the CA coastline & if I could combine a trip with a waveski event, that would be fun. I know that the sport is really growing over there & it's great to see the development of the sport in America. It was great to see one of our W/M USA team riders Bill Luhrs, take a bronze medal in the masters categorie at the world titles in 2001.

Ripp - What cd have you got playing in your car cd player ?
Boony - I'm into the "Porkers" (SKA music). It really get's me pumped for competitions & it's non political, just good times music.

Ripp - What length is your current board ?
Boony - It's about 240cm or 242cm, i'm not sure. I really have been lucky to be associated with the WaveMaster crew & Col Samways. They really know what works for me, I just jump on it & each ski is better than the last. I get very attached to a board & don't like turning them over too often. I switch to a new board about once very year, as W/M are always testing & developing small new enhancments/changes. One thing that I am very particular about is my seatpad & it's setting/position. I've been known to use the same seatpad for three or four years. <laughs>

Ripp - Where is your fav' wave ?
Boony - It'sat Red beach. My home break, only 2 min's from my house. Nothing better than surfing your home break with a few mates.

Ripp - The guys tell me your into free-diving & spear-fishing - any good stories of big catches / big scares ?
Boony - It's alot of fun and just a few weeks ago, I snagged a large dew fish in about 80' of water. I sold the fish and banked a nice profit ! <laughter> Could have found my new career or maybe early retirement <grins>. I think the free diving is great training for those heavy days in the surf, as being able to hold your breach can sometimes mean snagging the fish and/or going up empty.

Ripp - What's the longest dry spell you've been through without waveski surfing ?
Boony - It was about 2 weeks & i told myself, never again, it was way too long. I was like a fish on dry land

Ripp - We know you like a few coldies whilst watching the footy, what's your fav' drink ?
Boony - Just rumors mate, i don't drink....<smurk> ok, guessed nobody would buy that. I really like Tooheys New. I don't think it's readily available overseas, so how about after this interview, it's my shout & we'll suck on a few coldies ?

Ripp - Ok, interview's over, lets go...just kidding, but that's a good plan mate.

Ripp - You've got three Australian Championships to your credit, 1999, 2002 & 2003. It is considered by many to be the hardest waveski title to conquer. How many more are you thinking about claiming ?
Boony - I'd be stoked if I could equal the recored of six titles currently held by my team mate Reece Duncan. Not sure though, the competion is tough out there & Reece is an amazing waveski surfer & competitor.

Ripp - Word has it that you like to think you know your footy, so let us know which two teams you think are gonna make the Rugby world cup 2003 final?
Boony - I really don't mind, the better team on the day I guess, i just like to watch a fast flowing game. I am a loyal supporter of my local team though, Newcastle knights.

Ripp - Who do you free surf with ?
Boony - Me myself & I, <grin> nah, just kidding, but I have been known to say left & then go right, it's all in good fun though. Surfing with mates is the best. I get a few waves each week-end with Col Samways, some of our team riders when they are in tow. I surf a fair bit with Adam, a team rider who lives not too far from me, as well as with some surfing mates of mine.

Ripp - Cheers for kicking back with me Nik.
Boony - Pleasure mate, you ready for that coldie ?
Ripp - Thought you'd never ask ! <laughter>