Keeping Up With Kerrzy

In a spare moment en route to a rare GC semi-secret spot ASL chatted to Kerrzy about uncovering a new wave of groms, adolescent drunkenness, his move to the US and plans to bring air shows back to center stage.

Where you at mate? What’s going on?
I’m just driving up to (censored). There’s a bit of swell around but it’s too blown out round Coolie. It should be pumping up there though. Shieldsy (ASL photographer Andrew Shield) is sitting next to me so we’ll have the shots to you tonight.

Sweet. So you’ve been enjoying the recent run of waves then?
Ah mate, it’s so good to come home from Bali to pumping Snapper. It’s been the best it’s been in ages out there over the last week or so. There’s plenty of swell, more on the way, the bank’s in good shape. It’s good times out there.

Rusty just held the Gromfest down in Lennox and you staged your own Kerrazy Airshow Invitational…
It was a great contest. The kids were ripping and I was seriously blown away. It’s scary how good these little groms are. The judges and I invited the kids who we hoped would flare up, and they didn’t disappoint. Cooper Chapman was the standout for sure. He nearly stuck some insane Gorkin flip type thing. I’m not sure what you’d even call it, but it was crazy. Jack Robinson was on fire. How old is that kid? Like twelve or something. He’s a full freak.


Not only an airman, Kerrzy setting up for the pit. Pic Shield.

How have times changed since you were in the Rusty Gromfest?
I was only in this contest once and we just got drunk and chased girls around Lennox. But what I do remember is that no one was really trying airs. Nowadays these kids have grown up stomping air reverses before they can even turn, and the level has gone through the roof. If you think that a kid like Jack Robbo is twelve and doing Kerrupt flips, then imagine what he’ll be like in five years.

If a kid wants to be an air guy or free surfer do you think they need to bother with contests?
No, not at all. I mean I’ve done the whole contest scene, but then there are plenty of guys like Ry Craike and Jay Davies who have just gone out free surfing from the get go. Then there’s Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith and co who are on the Tour but still nail plenty of clips. So yeah, I don’t think it really matters.

What I’d like to do is bring the whole air show concept into the World Juniors. There’s a lot of kids who want to just hunt out that one section and bust a big air. If air shows are held with more regularity then that’s got to be good thing for surfing. That’s what I’m trying to do with my event and hopefully it’ll expand.

What’s coming up next for you?
Well we’re just pulling up to (censored) and looks like it should be pumping. I guess in the coming weeks I’m off to the States, to San Diego, to put the finishing touches on my movie and bag some more footage for Innersection. I reckon we’ll do a few trips down to Mexico and see what happens. I’m not leaving while this swell is sticking around the Goldy though. No way.

2010 Gromfest Winners

16 Boys – Soli Bailey    (Suffolk Park)
16 Girls – Kirsten Ogden (Suffolk Park)
14 Boys –  Michael Wright (Lennox Head)
14 Girls – Karelle Poppke (Tahiti)
12 Boys – Zac Wightman (lennox Head)
12 Girls-  Laura Poncini (Sunshine Coast)

Kerrazy Airshow Invitational – Cooper Chapman (Nth Narrabeen)

www.rusty.com.au