UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Nick Name: Twig
Date of birth: 26/05/73
Where born: Durban
Resides: Umhlanga Rocks
Parents names: Vin and Joan
Brothers and Sisters: Kate
Hobbies: Soccer / Kite boarding / SUP / Snowboarding

ATHLETE EQUIPPED

Weight: 70Kg
Height: 5’11”
Stance: Natural
Sponsors: Billabong, Country Feeling Surfboards, Coreban, Cabrinha
Shapers: Simon Fish, Jeff Bushman, Jeff Clark, Wayne Webster
Quiver: 5’8” – 11’0”
Favorite wave: Bawa
Favorite maneuvers: Barrel
Favorite surfers: Occy

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING

Started Surfing: 1986
Staring rolls in surf movies: The Africa Project / Uncharted
Events Won: 2006 Mavericks Event / XXL Biggest wave 2007, 2007 Chile Invitational

International Highlights:

1999 - 2002
Started looking for and surfing waves over 15ft in South Africa, found them everywhere between J-bay and Cape Town…Learned from travelling surfers coming to Red Bull Big Wave Africa how to surf big waves

2003
3rd : First Big Wave contest - Red Bull Big Wave Africa – Paddle event (20-25ft Dungeons)
Winner : Best Tube Red Bull Big Wave Africa – Paddle event (20-25ft Dungeons)
XXL Nomination for Biggest paddle in wave

2004
Towed Massive Dungeons for the first time and nominated for XXL biggest wave
Came over to the USA and Hawaii for the first time and surfed Mavericks, Todos and Wiamea for three months

2005
Started surfing every swell over 15ft in Cape Town – astonished at how big it got and how often
Spent three months surfing in USA and Hawaii at Mavericks, Todos and Wiamea
Secured invite to the 2006 Mavericks Surf Contest

2006
Winner : Mavericks Surf Contest (20ft)
Received Jay Award for best spirit in event
Nominated XXL Biggest Paddle Wave
Insane season in South Africa, at least 30 sessions of 15ft+ surf in Cape Town
Spent three months surfing in USA and Hawaii at Mavericks, Todos and Wiamea

2007
Winner : XXL Biggest wave award with Greg Long for 60ft+ session at Dungeons
5th place North Shore Tow contest
Another great season in Cape Town at least 20 sessions in 15ft + surf
Spent one month in USA/Hawaii surfing Mavericks, Todos and Wiamea

2008
2nd : Mavericks surf Contest (15 – 20ft)
Biggest session ever at Cortez Reef (80ft+)
Spent one month in USA/Hawaii surfing Mavericks, Todos and Wiamea
Biggest Ever Cape Town May 2008
2008 REDBULL BWA Champion

2009
1st Quiksilver Invitational Chile (20ft)
Winner Billabong XXL Biggest wave in the world for calendar year (65ft Tafelberg)
Winner XXL best Male performance
South African Surfer of the year
First South African to compete in the Eddie – 14th place

2010
Perfect 10 and best wave of the Mavericks event
5 x nominations for Billabong XXL Awards
Winner Billabong XXL awards – Ride of the year
Winner O’Neill Raw Courage Award
Awarded Springbok Colors
4th place Todos Santos Invitational

2011
Oakley One Wave Wonder - Winner
Cover of the Cortez Book
Invite to the Eddie (One of only 5 Internationals)
Chosen as best international big wave surfer in Brazil by Fluir magazine

2012…so far
Oakley One Wave Wonder - Winner