Josh Slabb
Josh Slabb was regarded by many as the most exciting Indigenous surfer of 2000.
After a thrilling ride at the Billabong Indigenous Surf Classic in Fingal, where the 20 year old came second behind John Craig in the open men’s division, he gave it his all in Wardandi, outclassing all his competitors to take first place.
“I’m really excited about the win in Wardandi,” Josh says. “I just went out there, had a good time and gave it my best shot.”
Josh rides a Rawson board and his favourite manoeuvre is barrel riding. He’s seen a bit of the world, too, chasing the green room in Hawaii, Tahiti, Mexico and Fiji.
Josh is hardly alone in his love for boards – his two brothers, his sister and his dad are all keen surfers, too. In fact the family name is all but synonymous with riding the waves.
But it’s Josh who now carries the hopes of the Slabb family every year when he competes in both Indigenous Surf Classics.
Deadly Vibe Issue 58
Jumping on his first board at the age of eight, this youngster from Forster has everyone talking. Inspired by his father, Todd (who’s not too bad in the green room himself), Joe has spent the last four years making a name for himself at various competitions around Australia and beyond.
“I’ve travelled heaps!” laughs Joe, now 17. “I’ve been just about everywhere except Western Australia. I really wanted to get over to Wardandi this year but all the hassle with the airlines made it impossible. Still, it’s definitely on the cards for next year.”
In his first competition at Forster’s regional titles, Joe placed fourth. Since then, he’s rarely been out of the top five in any competition he’s surfed in. Little wonder, though, when you consider that he plunges into the deep blue at least twice a day.
“I try and surf every morning and every night. I suppose I’m really lucky in that one of my favourite breaks, Boomerang Beach, is so close to home. One of the things I really love about surfing is that it’s free. And most of my mates surf, so it’s a social thing as well.”
Surfing might be a social sport, but once Joe is on that wave he’s all by himself – and that’s just the way he likes it.
“When I’m surfing my mind feels really clear, I can really get away from things and it also makes me feel great. The whole sensation of riding a wave – there’s just nothing like it.”
In 1999, only two years into his surfing career, Joe was chosen to go to Fiji to take part in the Oceanic Cup. It was there that he managed to pull off third place in the open division and fourth in the juniors. Pretty awesome for someone who was only 15 at the time!
But while he may be competing in some major events nowadays, Joe still loves hanging out with his mates.
“Surfing with your mates is kinda different to competing. You can cruise a bit more and it gives you the chance to work on your technique and check out other people’s moves.”
This is only Joe’s first year in the Pro Juniors, but he’s already managed to place an impressive 59th overall. He was also chosen to take part in a unique surfing odyssey.
“The surf magazine Surfing World invited about 15 of us down to Bendalong Beach to compete in the Grommet Bash recently. The top six guys from that comp were then taken on this awesome six-day surfing safari. We travelled down New South Wales’ south coast and surfed the Australian pipeline. They put us all in this huge house. Man, it was surfing heaven.”
Joe has his sights set firmly on pursuing a career in professional surfing. And who knows – he may well follow in the footsteps of idol Mick Fanning and take out USA Surfer magazine’s Breakthrough Performer of the Year award. If his recent performances are anything to go by, you can be sure of seeing a lot more of him in the green room.
Comments are closed.