Interviews & Profiles

Mesurf catches up with the Brown Brothers
Interview by The Colt

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 September, 2009 : - - Surfing hellmen are in a league of their own. These guys pull into waves the size of world-class hotels with no competition money and only a small amount of worldwide recognition. It's a sport that's 100% dedication for the love and the thrill of the ride. As 'spectators' we love seeing these guys getting slung into enormous waves, be swallowed by the monster and then spat out the end, finishing with a relaxed kick out off the back smiling like a little kid on Christmas morning. Their cool, calm and collected nature is a must when it comes to this side of the sport, and as I found out when shit goes wrong, it really goes wrong.

How many times have you watched a clip of some poor dude get axed on a 20ft+ draining chamber but actually took the time to think about the ongoing hammering that arose while it all went down? We're lucky enough to forget about it all and move on in life, remembering whether or not we're supposed to pick up the milk on the way home. What you didn't see is that after they went down he lost his board, the jet ski couldn't get in for the pick up and the went under for another three wave hold down, wondering if they'd seen their last days!

Well I had the privilege to speak with two of the worlds best chargers that are proud Aussie's and frequent the depths of W.A. The Brown Brothers. Kerby and Courtney are a duo that deserve full respect for what they put their lives through for our viewing pleasure! These guys are out there on the search every time a new swell rolls through, as a matter of fact as I write this, they're down the south coast of W.A chasing a new pulse. These guys live, eat & breath surf. It's a lifestyle they wouldn't change for anything and the fact these guys have a brotherly connection makes it that much tighter.

We chat about what it's like being out there amongst the monsters, heaviest hits, why Kerbs doesn't have a major sponsor and what's on the cards moving forward. Two bro's out doing what they do, not for the money, not for the fame, but for the fact they love to surf...

KERBY…

Now Kerbs, to tackle some of these monsters surely you have to be insane or have balls made of brass? Can you talk us through your thoughts from the planning of hitting a swell to being towed into a monster slab.

I’m usually really excited when we know it’s all about to happen. It’s not easy to get these places pumping. You spend so much time looking at maps and hoping these particular slabs are going to be on so when you rock up and see a 12 footer unload you know it's game on.

So when you get to the spot what goes through your mind?
I don’t like to look at it for long just get straight into it. I’m usually thinking I want to get as deep as I can and make it. There's nothing worse than seeing the photos or footage after the session and realizing you could have been deeper! I’d rather get deep and fall than make a barrel that you’re barely in.

Spoken like a true nutcase bro! I will say it's awesome watching you go super deep into a wide eyed monster slab, so thanks for putting your body on the line bro to keep us all frothin'!

So what’s it like being on the other end, whipping in your bro into a cavern?
Do you ever worry you’ve given him the last sling and potentially pushed him too far?

Yeah I do for sure. I tow him deeper than he would like to be a lot of the time but we’ve been towing each other for so long now it comes naturally. He can be a little bit more cautious driving  me. I know he is going to be stoked if I tow him deeper than he wants to be as long as he makes it, ha ha. There's been a few situations where you kind of go, ‘holy shit am I going to have to peel the little fella off the rocks?’........................

Interviews - Surfersvillage