Recently, a post by immensely popular comedy actor Jonah Hill went viral. Although the gist of the tweet was very much about being body positive and loving yourself just as is – the other salient point should not be lost on the entire world. Jonah Hill is a huge celebrity (in terms of broad popularity we mean. Ed’s note: suuure… that’s what you mean.) and he’s showing the whole planet he’s that much cooler than pretty much any other celebrity out there by the simple virtue of being a surfer. Indeed, he publicly outed himself as a surfer, skin tight black rubber an’ all. Hooray! we say. Trident has enjoyed most of his movies, and the fact Mr Hill is a surfer, albeit one who came to the sport in life, just makes him that much more appealing.
Trident has had the privilege of surfing with a few famous faces over the decades, mostly dudes and chicks well known in the global surfing community visiting our shores. A few world champs count amongst these well known faces, which alone makes surfing interesting – the plebs we all are occasionally rub shoulders with the top pro’s in the world by the very fundamentals of surfing – sharing waves. What other sport could put the general populace amongst the greats of the sport? You won’t find Federer at your local tennis court, nor will you bump into Tiger Woods, pissed on lager and chatting up the bored goth barmaid at the 19th at your local links. You won’t suddenly find Siya Kolisi joining you for a quick game of touch at the beach, nor will you find Messi buggering around in the street with a half pap football. However, go to J Bay during CT season, and you’re bound to be sharing the lineup with the likes of Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina and Owen Wright. Trident says “sharing the lineup” ‘coz the chances of actually snagging a wave while surfers of this calibre are in the water are about as likely as Joe Biden paddling out, complete with a Bavarian Oompah band on the shore, and getting the tube of the day. Still, it’s kinda cool if you think about it – the likelihood of sharing a session with the greats of the sport.
So, yup – chances of seeing a pro surfer are pretty good. But what about folk like Mr Hill, famous not for being a surfer, but who actually surf? How many other celebrities publicly declare their passion for surfing?
Every now and then a celebrity completely uninvolved in the surf scene will crop up in the lineup. Steve O of Jackass fame was one such legend. Trident and much of the surf community around PE/Gqberha and J Bay had the joy of surfing with this nutter. What a lekker oke though. Neither Trident nor anyone else could convince him to do a wasabi enema though, which was a real shame, but it’s all good. Fond memories.
Then then are musicians. Members of Metallica surf, and the whole band collaborated with Billabong on a series of clothing, notably on their tribute to Andy Irons. Cool as balls we say. Other mad famous musicians surf as well, such Anthony Keidis, Chris Martin, Eddie Vedder (he’s big tjommies with King Kelly), Jack Johnson – duh, Jason Mraz and Chris Isaac. As for actors, Trident isn’t even gonna bother with an exhaustive list, as there are simply tons of ‘em. Cameron Diaz surfs, as does Matthew McConaughey, who no doubt yells “Alright, alright alright!” when he sees other okes getting tubed. In Australia, basically the entire population surfs so superstar transplants such as the Hemsworth brothers and Margot Robbie will be out there, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Fanno. Then there are other sports star who try their hand at riding waves. Check out Siya and Jordy’s clip online, very very cool. Our national cricketers surf (See?! We actually even have evidence above!) and er, so does David Beckham. Well, on a bodyboard at least. He goes straight.
Barack Obama has attempted surfing, so politicians occasionally try it out as well. It’s just, as Trident believes – they generally surf like they govern – poorly. Anyhow, what’s your own most up close and personal experience with a celebrity in the surf lineup? Tjoon us in the comments.
