Back in the ’70s, when a pro surfer would sign a contract for wax, two t-shirts and a surfboard (that was Buzzy’s first sponsorship with Local Motion), pros would do other bizarre feats. One of the original godfathers of big wave tow-surfing, Buzzy Kerbox, for example, took a zodiac out with Laird Hamilton and Darrick Doerner to outer reefs on Oahu…really, just to get away from the crowds. After a more lucrative contract modeling for Ralph Lauren, Buzzy got his kicks while in Europe paddling across the English Channel, as well as from Corsica to Italy, before returning to Hawaii where he and The Strapped Crew would change the face of big wave surfing at a little ‘ole spot called Pe‘ahi. In the newest episode of the Late Drop, Jamie Mitchell talks with Buzzy about simpler times, and what it might be like surfing Jaws before, well…anyone.
Highlights:
0:00: Born in Indiana, raised in Kailua, Oahu at age 10, Competing against Michael Ho in the amateurs/pros, Inspired by Larry Bertleman, Got into the ‘74 Smirnoff Pro at Waimea Bay, Became a pro surfer by ’77, Sponsored by Local Motion, Got on the World Tour, Became a professional fashion model
15:43: Started modeling for Ralph Lauren/Polo, Bought his first zodiac boat to tow off modeling money, Started towing outer reefs to get away from the crowds, Began towing with Darrick Doerner and Laird Hamilton, Developed big-wave tow surfing with the zodiac, Pivotal session at Outside Laniakea
23:38: Transferring to Jet Skis to tow, Discovering Jaws, Going shorter and shorter with boards, Mishaps with the zodiac, Paddle surfers vs tow surfers, Analogy with snowmobiles, Word is out and Jaws gets chaotic
34:02: The safety aspect of Jet Skis, Trials and errors of early tow sessions, Using Brian Keaulana’s Rescue sled, Impact vests, Close-calls/Near death moments
46:56: The Strapped Crew era and keeping Jaws a “secret,” The film “Wake Up Call,” Good tow partners
52:52: Paddling the English Channel with Laird, Nearly getting hypothermia, Traveling Europe with Laird, Paddling from Corsica to Italy, Getting miles and nautical miles mixed up, paddling the Molokai Channel before it was a race
1:01:44: Buzzy’s photography, His new book, Buzzy’s take on modern big wave surfing today, The stars of Jaws in 2021
1:12:03: Buzzy’s 5-to-Finish
Buzzy Kerbox