Emerald Surf City

Shaun Pyne gets Milk

Hey Pyneo,
You're in the Canaries, how is it over there?
SP: It's incredible, all the waves support high performance bodyboarding, every session your busting air or getting heavy barrels. The local level of riding is pretty high, pushing the freesurfing standard up and they're a cool bunch of guys and girls.
Doc: You're riding with Milk bodyboards. Milk isn't really well known in Oz yet - can you tell us a bit about the company and how your sponsorship came around?
SP: Milk approached me out of the blue over Facebook, I was stoked, I haven't been around the bodyboarding scene for the last couple of years, MILK offered me a chance to give it a go again, pretty sweet opportunity. I already knew the owner Mat Desaphie from previous trips to europe when i was younger so it was easy to work out a good arrangement. MILK's shapers produce high quality, high performance boards and are based out of portugal. They use the latest materials and know what board a rider needs to surf at their peak.
Doc: A while ago you released a promo vid seeking sponsors. A few of us agree it's one of the best promo vids we'd seen to date. Professionally done, big hits on massive and mean waves. You scored a 4WD drive and a jet ski to get yourself to the best places. Has it all been worth the effort?
SP: Andy Kaineder and I worked on that one, it got about 20K hits in the first week and now a year on I think its over 60K which I think is alright seeing I had/have no sponsors pushing it. My toys are my toys and I use them for everything, having them just makes a lot more possible, I know whats out there, I've seen it, soon I'll be able to go and document it, push myself harder and produce really high performance podcasts. That sponsorship resume didn't get me any sponsors, but that was a good thing because it put things into perspective for me and I'm happy with what I accomplished and experienced in that time.
Doc: Growing up as a Shark Island local is a trial by fire. Between Shark island and Suck Rock, what skill set for riding do you reckon that has given you in the bag?
SP: I learnt to bodyboard at Shark Island, not at a beach. A solid scoop is the fundamental skill you need to be a good bodyboarder, it annoys me seeing people battle and flail down wave faces, but seeing someone scoop into a heavy wave and hold a strong line is incredible and what a bodyboard is designed for. Airs are sick too but they have to be controlled. Thrown straight into the deep end out the Island was a steep learning curve, but I'm thankful because I know that I surf my best when the waves are big and heavy. Having suck rock as my home break too is perfect, it breaks pretty much everyday, lefts and rights, ramps and pits. Its a playful wave and perfect for refining moves.
Doc: Travelling internationally is always a big call in a lot of ways. Do you reckon it is going to push you to step up even more to what's thrown at you in the ocean?
SP: Yes definitely, I hadn't been on an international surf trip since 2008, watching the high level of riding in the Canaries was epic, the local boys were shredding Fronton, big boosts too, now I want to push myself a lot harder back home step it up a few levels. I've just started working on a project due out March 2013.
Doc: You and the Nulla lads are all pretty close, how much are they supporting you on this current venture?
SP: Pretty much everyone of my friends at home, ocean and non ocean goers, have always been behind me since I got my first sponsor Pride back in 2006. They are my driving force. For years they have been picking me up when bodyboarding gets me down. Dealing with the politics and sponsors makes me upset, jealous and pissed off. My mates take the piss, laugh and turn everything into a positive vibe. They know me and know how to support me, without them I wouldn't be who I am today in and out of the water. I couldn't be surrounded by a better group of friends.
Doc: When you're not on the sponge, you're a welder amongst other things. Are you self employed? Can you tell us a bit more about what you do when you;re not riding?
SP: Yeh i'm a tradie, I've run my own gig for over a year now and can fabricate anything you see made from Aluminium, Stainless and Mild steel. I enjoy the challenge of making different things, I'm a rigger too and moving things that way tens of tonnes it's pretty interesting. If I don't do my job responsibly and properly I could literally kill people, I'm always proud of the work I do at the end of the day. In my free time I surf, snowboard, spearfish, fish, scuba, 4x4, camp you name it i'll have a go. My high risk work matches my high risk lifestyle.
Doc: You, Luke O'Connor, Strachan and others are a new gen coming form the Island. How much do you push each other when you're free surfing?
SP: I just like schooling both of them, Grom really shreds, he beats me in our backflip comps out suck, only cause he rides a boat, so i have to pick my game up there hahaha. Luke beats me on the social scene, Blacky goes good out the island too. Lester, Leon, Ball and the older local boys are a good push when the islands big. The aim of the day is to get the best wave, winning bragging rights until the next swell. Everyone is their own person, we're all pretty tight and always keen for something.
Doc: How much have you seen Shark Island change over the years?
SP: The first time i surfed it was with Wazza and Dessie back in 1999, the whole time i was gromming it out there everyone used to burn me and snake me, i never got any respect till years later, now the younger guys are trying to pull rank when its breaking. Thats just not on. Same with the blow ins, thats not on either. The Shark Island Challenge is still the most exciting and atmospheric comp in the world and I cant believe shitty comps have bigger sponsorship backing, and the worlds 'best' don't bother to come and try to take it out anymore. So next year I hope all the top invited guys rock up, and everyone competing turns up to the promos!
Doc: Are you riding a custom board form Milk or an off the shelf model? What sort of dimensions are you riding, core, stringer systems etc? What set-up do you have for the Canaries and is it different to what you would ride at the Island?
SP: I've just been riding one of their stock boards off the rack, 41' Airflex Core, single stringer, mesh, crescent tail and channels, it's held up pretty good and I don't think I'll need to wait for custom boards. There's talk of a pro model next year and I assure anyone interested, the quality control will be exceptional, you'll only be able to buy a board that I would be prepared to pay for. No rubbish like some other brands are happy to supply, just good top end boards.
Doc: Any other companies getting behind you Pyneo?
SP: Emerald Bodyboard Shop in Cronulla are my biggest supporter, Dessie dedicates heaps of time looking after all the local grooms, he gives everything back into the sport with the local club, all its social events and training sessions. The emerald club has been around for over 20years and its only getting stronger. Agent18 dress me in the best suits on the market, the suits speak for themselves if you've ever worn one and I'm grateful for their support.
Doc: Thanks for your time mate, anyone you would like to thank or give a shout out to?
SP: You Doc cause you've believed in me since we first met hooking up these interviews, My Dad and Mum, Katie, all my friends, all around the world. Richie 'the boss' Lornie master filmier and editor. Dessie at Emerald. Tyge and Bryce at Agent18. Mat at MILK. Everyone who took 10minutes of their time to read about me, hopefully you guys like the products I use and support these companies. MILK, AGENT18 and EMERALD.

Check out the full interview and pictures here!
http://www.fluidzone.com/news/5164-shaun-pyne-gets-milk