The Mark McCarthy Interview

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Dubb then took his brother Jeff on in their semi - that must have been an insane heat to watch live?

No-one had their money on Dave to beat Jeff as he was in amazing form! Jeff took off on the first wave and got a 9! I am not too sure what was going on in Dubb's mind when he took off on DK on his first wave! I think it might have just calmed his nerves as he got the only 10pt ride on his next wave! Amazing surfing from Dubb to beat the unbeatable.

Some are calling Dubb a bit of a dark horse to watch out for this year, what's your take?

I think Dave is the dark horse at every contest! The guy is capable of anything! He has had a lot of bad luck after getting second in Arica but is absolutely dominating the DK tour! I don't think he'll be underrated for too much longer.

The man himself, Mike Stewart, took the event. What was that like for you and the Science team? We all did little jumps up and down this side of the Atlantic.

Haha, it was so epic to see Mike win! I have never seen him so stoked. I don't know anyone that trains as much as he does. Seeing a 46 yr old man with tears in his eyes take out the world's best was priceless. He really worked for his first place, on the road to victory he had to go against Ben Player, Dave Winchester, Amaury Lavernhe and Dubb, who were all riding really well.

What is it like having him around on tour as much as he has been lately? Can you draw a lot from him and has your relationship grown over the last few months?

I have always got along well with Mike. I have been travelling with him for the last 3 years. It's epic to have him around, as he has so much knowledge and is a great person and a really good friend. Of course like all friends when you on the road for 3 months together you start getting on each other's nerves but we have an understanding of each other though.

I saw you arm wrestling some guys at a jol, is that how guys roll there?

No that's how the guys roll in the Bay! Haha... That was a funny night. It was the night when I got knocked out and we had too many beers so PLC wanted to arm wrestle before going out and 'Bay Power' dominated... I am not too sure if you saw the picture that the Chilean locals put on Facebook. I will attach the picture so you can check it out. I only went out on my birthday and went large and somehow picked up the name Mark-McParty.

And all this "jejejejejejejeklakl jejejejejkalka" sounds a lot like Kwaito music? What is up with that? Does it happen in public?

Lol and lol again!! That is so funny that you picked up on that! It's the only way to speak to them and they love it when you go jejejejejajajaja! Hahahaha! I am sure all the guys that were there know what I am talking about!

There was a lot of support and following of this contest on the Sixty 40 Bodyboarding forum. You must be stoked with the guys backing you like that?

For sure Damon, I can't be more grateful for all the support I get from the 60/40 crew and the forum. Without them I don't think I would be talking to you right now. Just going online after my surfing a heat and seeing all the post's about my heat really inspires me. Derek and Kelly are always there for me and give incredible support!

Next up was the mission to Europe and your first stop in Portugal. How was the trip over and where did you stay?

We stayed with a good friend Bernardo who hooked us up with a sick pad in Cascais for the Science team. I really enjoy Portugal. I wish all the contests were a month later, as Aug/Sep is the peak summer for them so there is not much swell around. But everything else is too good, the people are super friendly and the food it unreal.

What is the local bodyboarding scene like there?

It seems very healthy, at every beach we would go surf there would be at least 20 bodyboarders in the water. Guys are super amped on the sport over there. I think what plays a big roll, is all the bodyboarding schools, each beach we went to had a bodyboarding school.

Do you hang out with anyone in particular when you are on the road or do you try and keep focussed and keep a low profile? And sightseeing stuff?

I am up for sightseeing any day! Mike also digs seeing historical things and in Europe you can't go wrong as the sightseeing never ends! Most of the time it was just Mike and I but Damian King would also come along as he was also staying at Bernardos place. I don't think I have ever laughed so much as Damian has got to be one of the funniest guys alive! I swear he could have his own talk show with all his funny stories he tells...haha. It was great hanging out and getting to know Damian. He is such good company and sees the light side of everything!

The Viana Pro, Mariana beach. Your fist heat was right at the end of day 2 and seemed to go pretty well?

Ya, went well I guess. When I arrived on the beach in the morning Dubb came up to me and said to me "You did not have to wait too long to get your revenge" as I did not know that I had drawn him in my heat. It was not the kind of revenge I wanted but none the less he got 3rd and I scraped the heat with a 4.5 and 5. It was a super close heat and Dubb only needed a 4.8 and got two waves but could only get 4 and 4.3!

Day 3 and the man-on-man stuff again. The conditions looked as trying as they possibly could have been?

Walking over the dune and getting my first view of the waves I wanted to cry! It was not even breaking! It was by far the worst waves I have ever surfed for a contest!

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