Mike Parsons exclusive interview

Big wave rider Mike Parsons takes time out from the 60-footers to answer YOUR questions

If you know anything at all about big wave riding you'll be familiar with the name Mike Parsons. The Mavericks regular is currently appearing in cinemas in the docu-film Billabong Odyssey, surfing a 64-foot wonder at Jaws (see http://www.revolvergroup.com/billabong/ for a taster). We asked you for your questions to put to Mike and sent the best ones to him, here's what he had to say in reply...

Mike Parsons surfs them big Q - Nat B:   What's his longest hold down, where and what size were the waves?

Parsons: Oh that was at Mavericks, the wave was about 20 feet, I got wiped out and the wave held me down for 30 seconds, that was the longest, it felt like longer at the time!

 Q -  Does he have a signed board he would like to give to me!!!?

  Parsons: Ha haa, if I did I would yeah, but sorry man I don’t, sorry!!  

Q - Katie Spain: What is your most memorable surfing experience? (childhood/recent, good or bad -just the one that stands out above the rest)  

Parsons: Oh that’ll be the wave at Jaws.  It’s the wave you see me surfing in the beginning of the film Billabong Odyssey.  That was a 64 foot wave and, well just watch it, you’ll see why it was my most memorable surfing experience.

  Q - Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Parsons: My parents.  My dad was a surfer and he took me surfing when I was six.  Yeah my parents are a huge inspiration to me.  

Q - My little sister back in Australia is an aspiring surfer. Do you have any tips for the 'little surfers of the world' about how to make their dream a reality?

  Parsons: Just to pursue your dreams.  Surf as much as you can, get involved in the lifestyle.  Just keep going, keep doing it, believe in yourself.

  Q - Alec McHenry Does the buzz of riding big waves spoil your ability to enjoy a session out in an average 4' swell?

  Parsons: No, defiantly not. I enjoy the smaller waves just as much as I enjoy the huge ones.  Sometimes the best days surfing are when the waves are small, you’re out there with friends, it’s just all good. 

Q - At what point did you realise you could make a long term career of being a pro surfer?

  Parsons: I was 16 and in Hawaii.  I was doing well in competitions and sponsorship money started coming into the sport.

  Q - What training do you do for the long hold downs that go with big wave surfing?

  Parsons: I do a lot of swimming and I go mountain biking as well.  Basically lots of cardiovascular exercise, it’s important to keep my lungs strong and healthy.  When I swim I also tie weights to me and walk underwater.  I try to simulate what it’s like to held down by a wave, so I’ll stay down for 20 seconds, then come up for 20 and go back under for 20 and so on. I also surf every day.

  Q - How do train yourself to relax during a long hold down when every other sense is telling you you need air?

Parsons: I think about a lot of things.  The main thing is that you are not coming up until that wave decides to let you.  There is not point in kicking.  No matter how strong you are, you are staying down until you’re allowed back up and so you may as well just relax and wait for that to happen.

Q - Which of the waves you regularly surf gives you that feeling in the pit of your stomach of anxiety before you go (if any!)?

Parsons: Jaws, Mavericks and Tarpo in Tahiti

  Q - If you could only own and surf one board for the rest of your life what would it be?

  Parsons: A 6'3" pin tail  

Q - If you were only allowed to surf one break for the rest of your life what would it be?

Parsons: Ohhhh, good question……. Sunset Beach in Hawaii.

And that's all from Mike for this time. Many thanks to Billabong for putting us in touch with Mike, and you can get a taster of the film at http://www.revolvergroup.com/billabong/.