There’s a lone surfer positioned at the top of the pack. He’s the alpha male leading a group of hungry vultures, all sparring for their share of ocean perfection. He seems calm, waiting patiently for a wave worth taking off on. When Martin Potter finally bows his head and paddles into one, the crowd parts. As he comes screaming down the line blazes of purple flames frame the Al Merrick surfboard that looks so good under his feet. As he buries the rail in quite possibly the biggest turn I’ve ever seen in real life, several F bombs are dropped before the sheer power of the spray smacks us in the face and brings us to our senses.
Later today, Pottz will take on his old rival Brad Gerlach in what we’re all hoping is an epic battle of expertise at one of the world’s premier waves. Here’s what he had to say.
How has the development of professionalism changed competitive surfing?
Back in the day it was really Shaun Tomson, MR and all those guys who started the beginning of professional surfing and The World Tour. After them, we all had the heavy duty of keeping that going. Even though Gerr and I had a few altercations we still always worked with a sense of professionalism. We always maintained a certain professional attitude in our interviews and making sure that surfing looked good in the public eye.
When it came down to the wire and we were in heats we were 110% passionate about winning, and winning at all costs. Sometimes my blood would boil over and there was a few times we had meltdowns in heats. It was really just due to the fact that we both really wanted to win.
Now days you don’t get as much of that because I think back then there wasn’t a lot of butter on the bread, we really had to fight for the little prize money that was there. Not to say that the guys aren’t passionate now, but maybe we were a little more so because for us the guy who won the event got less money than the guy how comes in last place now. With the increase in prize money, it’s really taken that gnarly attitude out of the sport.
The ASP has just gone three for three. There were great waves at J-Bay, Tahiti and now at Lowers. How important is it to have good waves for World Tour events?
I mean that’s exactly it; you want the best surfers in the best waves. The whole Dream Tour catch phrase came about with Rabbit’s idea that we wanted to showcase professional surfing as the best it can be, and you can only do that with good waves. Back in the day we used to have contests in 2ft beach breaks and it just wasn’t appealing to watch, it wasn’t exciting and dynamic. We started losing viewers instead of gaining them. The whole concept of the Dream Tour is the best waves possible for both men and women because that’s when you see progression. You see the surfers getting better throughout the year. The waiting period is a great idea too because you don’t have to rush into a contest in crappy waves if you know a good swell is coming. When we can wait for the swell we end up having these beautiful events and it’s all for the benefit of the sport.
You threw half of the ocean at me the other day in the line up doing one of the biggest turns I’ve ever seen… Have you been in the competitive mindset during your free surfs this past week?
I’m not just out there surfing to have fun. I’ve got a job to do. In the back of my mind I’m working the break out, working out the take off spot and which are the right ones to go on so I’m surfing with more conviction. I’m pushing it as hard as I can to see how far I can go before the board spins out or my legs give way. Even though it’s not really a big deal who wins there’s definitely going to be bragging rights and I know Gerr really wants it. I hope the waves pump so we can both showcase how we’ve maintained that certain ability and certain level of surfing as far as competition goes.
Are you feeling fit?
I mean gosh, I could be a lot fitter, but it’s just a matter of getting that time in the water. I’ve surfed almost every day this past week so I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve definitely got enough in me for a 35 or 40-minute heat.
Do you think there is credibility in the theory that surf breaks should be closed to the public for a period of time for professional surfers to train around the event?
Absolutely. There has to be some sort of thing like that happen. Even if it’s just the days that they run the event; give the guys an hour in the morning and afternoon just to warm up and try different boards. You know, it can be pretty dangerous. You have a mix of professional and average, everyday surfers. Boards can get dinged; people can get in the way, especially like what we see on the Goldy. The Goldy is an aggressive crowd especially at Snapper; you really have to fight for a wave.
I think that in those cases when the ASP thinks they’re going to run, clear the water and give those guys an hour just to warm up and make sure they’re on the right boards. A lot of the times when you’re surfing out there you’re not on the best waves because you just want to get a wave. When you’re eventually out in your heat you’re not sure if that’s a good wave or not because you haven’t had one. It’s a fine line. We don’t want to take someone’s surf spot for two weeks, but it might only be one week and then we’re out of their hair for the rest of the year, it’s a small price to pay. Just sit back and watch some of the best guys in the world!
There have been a few heats over the years – like your one with Brad – where a World Title or a significant event has been on the line and a wildcard or underdog has taken the win. How important is that kind of dynamic in competitive surfing?
I think it’s really important; you’ve got to have it. It’s that Cinderella story and surfing needs that spice, that unknown entity coming in and ruffling the feathers of the big guys, it just keeps the big boys on their toes.
At this point the interview was momentarily halted so Pottz could jump back in the commentary booth.
With the World Tour putting emphasis on reaching out to the mainstream audience, has the commentary changed to accommodate new viewers?
I think so; you’ve got to change it for the general public. In the beginning you had a core audience and you could speak that surf jargon, but now having grown into that mainstream audience we’re getting people clicking for the first time. It’s important that within five minutes these new viewers can get an understanding of what’s happening, so we kind of have to go back to the basics. It’s been good though because in doing so a lot of guys have been coming up to me saying things like, “Oh I didn’t know that about the judging, or the priority rules.” Even seasoned veterans who have been watching the webcasts for so long are learning new things.
Brad Gerlach commented, “If Potts wasn’t there, my career wouldn’t have been as joyous.” What’s it like having that competitive rivalry to enhance your surfing?
To be honest one of my biggest rivals was Tom Carroll. We surfed against each other about 30 times. I remember one year he beat me four or five times in a row in the same round and it really started to get to me. I thought, hang on, this guy is my good friend and we get on really well, but he’s starting to ruin my career! I had to figure out a way to beat him! He’d get into my headspace before a heat and I’d drop my guard and he’d end up kicking my ass! So he came up to me before one of the heats and stuck out his hand and said, “Good luck Potts” and I just slapped his hand out of the way. He stepped back and said, “Whoa, that’s different”, and I ended up going out and beating him. He paddled out after the heat and I said to him, “Sorry buddy”, and he said, “Shit, you’ve figured it out!” That kind of stuff is good because it really makes you think about your performance. You know, a lot of the time heats are won before they’ve even hit the water.
What board are you taking out?
I’ve got a Channel Islands Bunny Chow, which is a Jordy Smith model. It’s 5’10” and 18 and a half inches wide, a pretty stock standard model for me. I’m going to ride it as a quad set up. I rode it out here the other day in really similar conditions and the thing was actually flying! I’ve got a very similar back up board in case something happens to that one. I’ve been watching the heats all week and analysing everything, seeing where the good scoring waves are coming from and what the guys are doing to get those scores. It’s just a matter of getting myself on those waves.
Is there anyone else you’d like to come up against in another Heritage Heat?
It would be good to pull up all the stats on the guys that I’ve had serious battles with. You see there were really two camps; Damien and Barton used to hang together then you had Tom and I together. It was almost like two parts of the tour. We were more the rebels and they were cleaner cut. All those rivalries were fun, you literally hated the guy but at the end of the day once it was all said and done, it’s just two guys who want the exact same thing out of life. You want to win and you want to beat the other guy at all costs. You really work out that you are just two peas in a pod and at the end of the day you just shake hands and move on.
Are you still frothing?
Absolutely! I can’t wait to get out there. The first wave I’m probably going to feel some nerves because the whole world is going to be watching. It’s been a while since I’ve had that kind of pressure. I’ve just got to relax and enjoy my surf. It’s a free surf with one other guy at Lower Trestles, I mean, are you kidding me? It’s the best thing ever! I hope it pumps and I hope we get a lot of opportunities. I know Gerr is going to dig deep and bring his game.
Goodluck Pottz!
