When you’re mentoring young talent, what are the main things you want to get across to them?
I think it’s more them just bringing the questions to you. I don’t wanna be a preacher, in terms of, ‘This is the way to do things.’ It’s more about asking them what they want to know and adapting the info to their needs, since each kid is different as well.
Did you have a mentor when you were coming up?
I had a coach in Phil McNamara and he helped me out so much. We were always bouncing ideas off each other. There’ve been a lot of people, as I’ve gone through my career, who’ve put in their two cents. I like having a lot of information – if it’s not relevant, I’ll just disregard it. You listen and just take what you want.
Focus features an insight into the lives of various athletes. If you hadn’t gone with surfing, is there another sport you would’ve liked to have had a go at?
I would’ve loved to have been a soccer player. Growing up, I was really into it. Possibly a bit small for footy.
We’re halfway through the 2013 ASP Tour and you’re on top. What goes through your mind at this point in the season?
To tell you the truth, I’ve been so busy in the break that I haven’t really thought about it. The main thing is to be consistent in the back end and, obviously, coming up with big results is the key.
You make it sound so simple.
It’s pretty basic, mate. Some people complicate it and try to insert all these mind games and shit in there. But at the end of the day, it comes down to winning events.
People probably ask where your favourite place to surf is all the time. Where’s your least favourite?
Ooh… this is tough. There’s nowhere I despise going but I’d say the least exciting waves on tour are in Rio. However, the city itself is pretty wild, so it makes up for it in that sense. I get to go surfing for my job, so I can’t really complain.
Since surfing is your day job, what do you do to relax?
I sorta do that to relax as well. I know that if I’m surfing then no one can contact me. It’s a nice escape.
In terms of fitness, how much of your time is spent in the gym or doing other exercises to aid your surfing?
When I’m home I’ll probably do two or three sessions a week that go for a couple hours each. Every night I’ll spend between half an hour and 45 minutes stretching, just to keep the body loose and keep the old joints moving.
You’ve obviously put in major amounts of work to get where you’re at. Do you ever dream about sitting around on the couch and watching TV and getting fat?
Oh, shit yeah! That’s called retirement, isn’t it?
Daniel Steiner
– Focus offers an intimate insight into the lives of 12 of the world’s top athletes. It airs Wednesdays at 8:30pm on FOX SPORTS 1HD and FOX SPORTS 1.
– August 21: Expectations (Julian Wilson and Lexi Thompson)
– August 28: Choices (Ellyse Perry and Corey Bohan)
– September 4: Fresh Challenges (Tim Cahill and Ben Brown)
– September 11: Mentors (Mick Fanning and Mark Webber)
