Taj Burrow talks about the scene pre Hurley Pro

Team Updates

Air reverses grow tiresome as the world's best look to new heights

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 14 September, 2012 : - - With a torrent of adolescents leading surfing’s progressive movement, Australian Taj Burrow, 34, is one veteran who has maintained a status as one of surfing’s most innovative names. With the ASP Top 34 descending upon arguably the world’s most high-performance wave of Lower Trestles, STAB Magazine had a brief chat with Burrow on what to expect at the upcoming Hurley Pro at Trestles this year.

The Hurley Pro looms, and Taj Burrow waits in California. After a long day surfing Lowers, his phone voice is tired but, as always, he is succinct. We hit with pointed questions about shrinking boards (Mick riding Kolohe’s Mayhem last year), winning moves (not varials!), and surfing’s newest swine flu (the air-reverse), and Taj, an authority on progressive surfing for over a decade now, replied with articulation and thoughtfulness to boot. A snatch-and-grab phone call has never been more insightful!
 
Stab: Last year, the move of the event looked to be Julian’s varial. What do you think it will be this year? And, by who?
Taj: I don’t think it will be just one incredible move, but a combo. An incredible combo. It’ll be something ridiculous off the take-off, a whole bunch of turns in the middle and then something ridiculous to close. I’m sure that’ll be the biggest highlight of the contest. I’m predicting it’s going to be hard to get scores this event and that’s the toughest thing to do, the big combos…
 
What percentage of the surfers will be riding Mayhems this year? I reckon about 10 guys, about 30%. 
Now, the air-reverse is a pervasive move. It’s spread through YouTube and Vimeo and it’s taking the small-wave tour spots by storm. How on earth can judges deal with this manoeuvre at Lowers? I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and it’s not worth going for an air-reverse unless it’s an absolutely mongo size. I am so sick of seeing air-reverses and I know the judges must be, too. It’s the go-to move for everyone. It bores you to death. I mean, it’s fun to do and it feels pretty good, and you used to swing out an air-reverse and go, “Oh yeah, that should score.”

Read the full interview at Stab Magazine

Source: ASP / Stab

Author: Stab Magazine / ASP Media

Tags: Taj Burrow, Stab Magazine, ASP World Tour, Hurley Pro

Team: Surfersvillage