If there is one thing I love more than a fat-man shredder it is an old-man shredder.
Just today, Stab released footage from a Restaurants super session featuring not one but TWO legends of our sport (and commentary team) surfing much better than I. Barton Lynch, 53, and Martin Potter, 51, were tearing the left-hander to shreds. Tubes, pocket jams, even fin drifts could be seen and all of it with style and grace.
Even if it pokes at my insecurities, I fucking love it when an old guy rips a wave to pieces. Not only is it badass, but it give me hope for a future of eternal shredding.
Later in the day, I stumbled upon the video below. It features Indonesia’s giant lefthander, Kandui, on its best day of the season. Portuguese prince Nic Von Rupp threads a few, some randoms get their clocks cleaned, but then… oh dear, just watch!
And did you see him? The bald and bearded man deep inside a four-section tube? That’s Aussie surf star Mick Campbell!
Let’s reminisce with thanks to the Encyclopedia of Surfing:
Fiery, well-freckled from New South Wales, Australia; world-ranked #2 in 1998. Campbell was born (1974) and raised in Port Macquaire, began surfing at age nine, placed fifth in the 1993 Pro Junior contest, and in 1997 was the world pro circuit’s rookie of the year. Campbell and good friend Danny Wills were the most physically fit surfers of the late ’90s, as both were trained by Sydney rugby drillmaster Rob Rowland-Smith; Campbell used fitness, consistency and determination, rather than inborn surfing genius, to, as surf journalist Derek Hynd put it, “rip every pro off the ladder, one by one.
Campbell led the world tour ratings going into the 1998 Pipeline Masters, the final contest of the season, but faltered badly in the second round, scoring a total of 1.9 points and allowing reigning world champion Kelly Slater to pass him for the title. Slater’s margin of victory over Campbell—a mere 38 points after an entire season’s worth of competition—remains the smallest on record.
You can read the rest of his entry here (including a fight scene with the late, great AI!) for a minimal fee of three dollars. Three dollars! Don’t be a tight ass.
Considering he’s younger than Slater, I suppose I can’t really call Mick old. But since I haven’t seen anything from the man in almost a decade, the fact that he remains the best surfer at a premier wave on a premier swell was a genuine surprise.
Mick’s low-but-not-squatty stance, his read on the wave, his minute body movements — you can’t teach that, and apparently you can’t forget it either. I hope one day to get a barrel like his last, but I wouldn’t bet any significant sum on it. Mick Campbell is still a legend.
Which got me thinking, readers, who’s your favorite old-ish man shredder (40 and up)? Do they stoke you?
Campbo’s ol sidekick Willsy still shreds too, He made a heat of two at Newcastle this year. Quiksilver could do worse than re-instate them and send em back on Tour. Or better still re make iconic 90s movie ETR
Boxing training makes you a better surfer.
Not sure how old Bobby Martinez is but he fucking shreds…
Micks not old hes a champion😊😎
Jeff Hakman
There’s a 65+ bloke that surfs in my neck of the woods every day. Still cranks out a few turns. One day he was out at a winter peak with a group of us, caught a wave and another bloke, Glen, says “Bill’s my hero. Out in the waves, catching good ones and tearing it up”. Bill paddles back out and promptly drops in on Glen on wave of the day.
When Bill gets back out, Glen just goes “Bill, you’re not my hero anymore”.
Mick Campbell is, and will always be my hero. Ran into Mick last year coaching a mate at the Aussie masters titles. Just a salt of the earth fella, no bullshit. No surprise for me to see him turn and own a session. The Shaka and the up yours at the end. Classic Mick.
Does anyone remember when Campbell smacked a shit-talking Andy Irons after their heat? I was looking for it online and couldn’t find it.
I heard he began surfing at age 7 and placed 3rd in that contest
long-haired feral barrel dodger in there too. no need to fade. doesn’t he know what the two arm stall can do!
Mick Campbells a legend. I remember meeting him and Danny Wills in the Rock Food in Hossegor ~Sept ’99. He was hilarious (and not drinking) as the comp was still on and for some reason busted out some one armed push-ups. I’m not surprised he’s still shredding.
Felipe toledos dad.
TOM FUCKING CURREN.
Jesus, you guys!
And little TOM FUCKING CARROLL
yessss still so good
Two former World Champs surfing better than you? Can you even believe it?
I have this terrible notion in my head that no man above 50 nor any woman whatsoever should be able to out-surf me… this, of course, is disproven on a daily basis but somehow I can’t seem to rid myself of the baseless hubris…
I have the same terrible notion about 10 year olds mate. It kills me to see those little fuckers punt over my flowing, grey locks.
Terry Richo still fucken rips with gloves.
Wait til your balls properly drop, son.
Wisdom and humility awaits.
Well, but how ”old” Mick Campbel really is!? Isn’t him like 42? His younger than Slater and Knox and about 5 years older than Mick. In your age logic when you say ”old guys like Campbell and Lynch” it’s pretty much the same if you would say ”young guys like Filipe toledo and Joel Parkinson” lol
you need to get out more dude
I get out plenty! Just dumb and stubborn…
ha ha wellllll that could be useful sometimes maybe!
Trevor from Suckouts.
Parko… wait, he’s not 40 yet?… uh, then Taylor Knox…
Layne Beachley’s dry moot could shred the skin off a banana.
“old man”… jeezo