Mark McCarthy - Just Stoked to Be Here

IBA World Tour competitor Mark McCarthy gets barreled at Wave House

Mark took some time out of his busy schedule ahead of the 2010 IBA tour to come and visit Wave House in Durban and get barreled on the fabled D-Rex. Mark boosted onto the IBA world tour scene 3 years ago, placing second at the inaugural Shark Island Challenge in Cronulla point, Australia. This milestone event propelled him onto the world tour. At #12 on the rankings Mark is one of the few South Africans who are placed in the top 40 in the world to date.

Mark is backed on the tour by Hawaiian legend and Science body boards CEO, Mike Stewart. Mike has been behind Mark since day one and has even released his own signature model. We were fortunate enough to grab Mark’s attention and get a short interview with him about his thoughts on Wave House and the D-Rex.

How was your experience at Wave House, Durban?
It was really epic man! It’s so much fun and it’s actually good training surfing it on level 4 to 6 for the barrel ride and moves near the pocket.

Who do you usually ride with when you come to ride the D-Rex?
I always give Wez Fischer a call as he is always amped to surf! I have also had a few fun surfs with Michael Ostler.

You have been an icon to so many body boarders here in South Africa and around the world but when you come to Wave House, do a lot of people recognize you?
Thanks for the kind words, it’s always cool seeing young bodyboarders that come and surf at the Wave House who recognize me, I’m always amped to chat to them and try help out where ever I can. A lot of the bodyboarding community do come surf the FlowBarrel. There are so many days when it’s unsurfable in Durban. At leas the D-Rex is always offchore and there are never any jellyfish or bluebottles.

Who is leading in terms of riding a bodyboard on the D-Rex?
Well we all know that Billy Tennant rips it up and is the current world prone champ. I have also seen the new guys like Michael and Wes do run ins which is really impressive.

Do you prefer going for the barrel or boosting the big air?
At Wave House I’m into the barrels for sure but in the real surf it’s the airs that I really like.

Have you ridden any other FlowBarrels or FlowRiders around the world? If so, how do they compare? Which is the best one?
When I was in Chile, Santiago I got to ride the wave there for a promo. It’s super fun but not as good a shape as the Durban one. I also rode the FlowRider at the water park - Dream world. We did a body boarding contest there that was part of the IBA Australian tour.

Any last words or people you would like to thank?
Yes for sure thanks a lot for the great hospitality at Wave House! Also thanks to my sponsors Lizzard, Factory 7 and Science Bodyboards.

Thanks Mark for your time and all the best for your 2010 IBA world tour campaign.
Thanks, see you guys soon.