A Friendly Friend: Interview With Pro Surfer Chris Friend

Posted on May 9th, 2011 by Samantha Rupert
20110425 061803 610x406 A Friendly Friend: Interview With Pro Surfer Chris Friend

After taking third in the ASP 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro in late April, up-and-coming WQS surfer Chris Friend took the time to answer some questions for SURFBANG about his foot recovery, competing in Europe and traveling the world. Remember to check after the interview for two little introductory videos of Friend’s shredding talents. Trust me, you’ll want to watch them!

SURFBANG: Tell us a little more about yourself.
Chris Friend: My name is Christopher Friend. I’m a 20-year-old Scorpio from the Sunshine Coast in Australia. I base myself out of both home on the Sunshine Coast, and the Northern Beaches of Sydney. I started surfing when I was about 8 years old on a foam nipper board at Mooloolaba Beach in Queensland.

Why did you want to be a pro surfer?
As a youngster, I was just obsessed with surfing. I was more or less a textbook blond-haired grommet: school books covered in surfing photos and stickers, surfed every morning and afternoon, and completely idolized the pros. I guess it just seemed like the coolest thing ever, so I decided to enter a few comps and really enjoyed it.

What is your favorite wave to surf and why?
My favorite waves are the point breaks around home in Australia. I have the most fun in 4-6 ft point breaks around home. Overseas I love Haliewa in Hawaii and Lowers in Cali.

Being a professional surfer, you get to travel around the world. Where are some of the places you have been and where did you have the best experience?
I’ve been hanging out in Europe for the last month, having a great time and doing a lot of touristy stuff, which is normally rare when you’re traveling with other surfers. I went to Tahiti for the first time last year and really enjoyed the culture , the food and the waves there. It’s paradise.

In mid April you competed in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic in Thurso, Scotland. You were eliminated early on. What was the most difficult part of that contest?
It was too cold! The waves were really good for the comp, but I just couldn’t find a rhythm at Thurso. I had a really great time in Scotland. I think next year I’ll go a week early to acclimatize to the arctic conditions.

You recently took a 3rd place in the ASP 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro in La Sauzaie, France. What happened during that semifinal heat against Alain Riou?
I felt really good in Vendee for the first time since I broke my foot. After losing in Scotland, I bolted over to Amsterdam for a couple days before France. I met up with one of my best friends from home, and we had a great couple of days. I think that put me in a relaxed frame of mind for France and I really just enjoyed myself in the water. In the semi, I just couldn’t sync up with the shifty waves in La Sauzaie. Alain got a good score early and I just never found anything that allowed me to open up.

Back in September you injured your foot, taking you out of the competitive circuit. How did that affect you?
In retrospect I think the injury was good for me mentally. I was taking a lot of the traveling and surfing for granted until I broke my foot really badly and I had to get three lots of surgery. Now I’m back competing. I’m really grateful to be able to surf and compete–it’s exciting. It was tough especially when I first got back in the water because my foot was just too stiff. I had to pull out of the Billabong World Junior at Narrabeen and that was pretty painful.

What did you do during your time off?
I spent all my time drinking coffee and reading the newspaper in the sun, watching films and hanging out with my friends. I partied a fair bit, and spent a lot of time with the physio trying to get strength and mobility back.

How is your foot feeling now and do you think you still have some work to do to get your surfing back to where it was?
I’m definitely getting there. It is slowly getting better. The injury has about a 12-month turnaround to return to 100 percent, so I’m still a few months from that. It has come a long way and I’m looking forward to seeing my physio for some treatment when I get back to Australia.

What is your training regimen?
I do strength and conditioning training in the gym three times a week, as well as cardio sessions with the Surf Life Savers. They train really hard!

Your next competition is the Volcom 2011 VQS Champs in Newport, CA on May 13. What are you strengths and weaknesses going into this next event and how will you prepare for it?
I’m feeling good after France, so I’m just looking to keep the momentum going. My next QS event isn’t until August, so I’m planning to head home for June and July to train really hard leading up to that.

You are currently ranked #220 in the world. What are your goals for the future of your surfing career and qualifying for Prime events?
This is my first year having a crack at the WQS, so I can’t get into any Prime events. The plan for the year is to get some good results in the 4-6 star contests so by the time next year rolls around, I’ll be able to surf the prime events and get up there in the world rankings.

What are some Aussie music artists that pump you up to surf?
I don’t listen to too much Australian music; I’m all about John Frusciante and Coltrane!

First word that comes to your mind.
www.chrisfriend.com

Thanks for answering our questions!

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