Matt Wilkinson Expelled From Innersection

By Mark Rosenberg


Matt Wilkinson ran out of stickers on this year's ASL World Tour Qualifiers trip.
Read all about the trip and our new Tour rookies in ASL 260, on sale from March 24. Pic: Shield

Innersection.TV is Taylor Steele and Poor Specimen’s latest and greatest foray into the online world. It’s like an Australian Idol of surfing minus the deluded freaks we laugh at in the early rounds. Surfers and their filmers compile, edit, and post clips of themselves at www.innersection.tv. At close of voting the highest rated sections from the various rounds go on to earn slots in Steele’s next flick. Aussie World Tour rookie Matt Wilkinson was killing it in the early stages of the first round; votes aplenty, praise from Steele himself, and nicely placed at the upper end of the rankings. Fans loved Wilko’s wares until disaster struck, with this release from Nathan Myers at Innersection…

“Recently, it was brought to our attention that one of Matt Wilkinson's rodeo airs was used in another video. This calls for immediate disqualification from Innersection Winter Round. Tough break, since Wilko's section was looking very strong for Top 10 selection, and very possibly Top 5. His surfing is definitely up to par”.

We gave Wilko a call to get the lowdown on his DQ, and the perks of being a Big Dog on the WT in 2010.

What do you think of the concept of Innersection.TV?
It’s awesome. It gives plenty of people a chance to show off their surfing. There are a lot of surfers who are going to get their name out there as a result of this competition.

Your section was one of the most popular, then you got disqualified. What happened?
I didn’t even know what had happened until yesterday when I got a text from the filmer in the U.S. I kinda know the bloke but not very well.  He just edited a section with footage that Rip Curl had given him, we didn’t work together on it. I don’t really mind because now we’ve got time to get a few more things in there in the next rounds.


Wilko blowing the fins free at fun looking beachie. Pic: Shield

Owen Wright and Shaun Cansdell are still in the Top 16 but there ain’t many other Aussie crew. Where are all the boys?
I know plenty of guys will be coming along and getting good parts on there. There’s going to be good clips coming through in the next round I bet.

It seems the top rated sections feature a combination of surfing, humour and offbeat ideas. Do have plans to spice things up for your round two entry?
I know Sterling Spencer and Mikala Jones have got some funny slants going on in their clips, which people seem to dig. I didn’t really have much say in my last section so I’m going to be working more closely with the guy on the next one. I definitely want to get some funny clips and include my personality from now on.

Back to comp surfing now. Snapper didn’t go so well. Are you itching to get to Bells?
My preparation was not as good as it could have been and I didn’t do as well as I would have liked. I’m planning on doing heaps more preparation for Bells. I’ve surfed it a lot and feel pretty comfortable down there. I really like the wave and I just sorted out some sick boards, which should go well. I’m also heading down to Tassie for the Cold Water Classic, so I’ll be used to the cold water by the time I get to Torquay.


Wilko's picturesque punt. Pic: Shield

How are you enjoying life on the World Tour out of the water?
The Tour has not only got awesome waves, it has got awesome chicks as well. There were plenty of them around at Snapper, let’s hope it’s the same deal at Bells.

No doubt. Cheers mate, good luck in Vicco.
No worries boys, yew.

With Wilko out, here are the top 10 Innersection clips for the winter round...