Number One With A Bullet

Binnsie

TB: sharper than ever in 2010. Pic Jones/Stryker

Taj Burrow is currently sitting atop the ASP ratings for both the World Title race and the new World Rankings, and he barely cares. The original funster, every grom’s fave thresher for the past decade, has hit relax mode and the results have started to flow. From the Pipe Masters to the Breaka Burleigh and Quiksilver Pros the trophies have been all TB of late. Until Josh Kerr made it rain 10s in the last five minutes of the Drug Aware Pro final last week it looked like Taj was gonna claim that too, and the Yallingup kid couldn’t be happier with how life’s going.

ASL caught Taj in a storm of fluoro dust, spraying a dozen new sleds as he settles in at Torquay before the Rip Curl Pro kicks off next week, for a quick chat on what’s been happening in the life of the world number one.


Taj chucking buckets on home turf.

Taj, this roll you’re on! Tell us about it.
Haha, I don’t know, I’m just trying all I can to enjoy myself and it’s been working well. You know what, after winning the Pipe Masters I feel like it’s relieved a lot of the pressure on me and my career. From now on anything I achieve is a bonus. I’m not worrying about points or ratings and all of a sudden I feel like I’m in a really awesome place.

Everyone’s been focusing on your trophies but we’ve been impressed with your boards. Your Firewires look like they’ve clicked, what have you and Nev Hyman Been working on lately?
Yeah they’ve been going so well. All the guys at Firewire are really keen to experiment and usually I kinda say, Ah, I don’t have the time, can you just keep pumping out my 5’11s? But last year they started working on a few different flex characteristics and some new materials and the boards have been going great. I’ve had the same rocker for a couple of years, I love it, so there’s no need to change that, which means we’ve been able to try a few other things around it.


World number one and don't it taste sweet.

A lot of guys nurse their magic boards, do you have to do that with Firewires being a bit stronger?
Nah, I don’t put them away. I like to ride boards I like, which sounds stupid, but there’s nothing worse than riding bad boards so if I get a goodie I’m on it all the time. I actually broke a board on the Gold Coast recently, the first for a while, but heats or freesurfing I’ll ride the same craft.

Have you got a magic board?
Yeah actually, I’ve got a 6’1, a step-up board. I rode it in the final at Chopes, then a lot in Portugal, won the Pipe comp on it and rode it the other day at Margaret River. I’ve probably been on it a year and a half so it’s done me well.

This is the first year in a while where we haven’t seen the pre-season “Now Or Never” profiles, or heard you talking about your campaign. Despite your results you’re almost under the radar, is that something you’re enjoying?
Ah yeah, y’know, we’re only one comp into this year so I’m not even close to thinking about titles. Obviously you have to do a lot more interviews when you win the first event and you end up talking about it, but I know all rolls come to an end sooner or later. I’m just enjoying getting good results. All I want to do is surf my best really. Get fit and flexible and avoid being stiff and locked up so I can get out three and surf as wild as possible.


Burrow's Burleigh bash, en route to a hat-trick. Pic Shield

Is it strange getting called a veteran?
Oh 100%! For sure, I still feel like I’m fresh and learning the game. It’s fine with me, maybe I am only starting to learn the game, and I’m starting to get some good results and get in a good place. Bring it on!

You said after the Quik Pro that you were kinda surfing within yourself. Jordy Smith and Dane Reynolds put in performances like you used to, absolutely blowing up but not quite converting. Is it good know you’ve got that flair in the tank if need be?
For sure, I’ve found that place where I’m really happy knowing I can get through heats, but if someone sticks it to me I’ve got the artillery to fight back.

Talking about Margarets, it sucks to lose, but it must be bitter sweet knowing it takes a miracle to beat you at the moment?
You talking about Kerrzy? That was mental. I was sitting out there, feeling pretty rock solid. I had an eight and an eight-five and it was looking like I was going to get chaired up the beach again. I wasn’t bummed, if a guy goes crazy like that he deserves to win, and it feels good knowing he had to dig that performance out, good on him.


Taj punting to win the Breaka Burleigh Pro. Pic Shield

So what’s the plan from here? Keep on keeping on, one heat at a time and all that?
Well I just got down to Torquay. I’ve got 12 new Firewires and want to work through them, try and pick out a coupla doozeys for here and Brazil, which is basically straight after here. I’m really looking forward to getting into some decent Bells waves, getting my swerve on and lighting up the Bowl. I’m having fun, it’s awesome.

Well cheers mate, good luck down there.
Thanks a lot.