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The Josh Piper Profile
Some times sports-people hit form at such a key time that it totally changes the course of the rest of their careers. The goal that they score, hoop that they net, or time that they run elevates them from their current level to a whole new, higher echelon.
The recent CARVE trip to Morocco saw Josh Piper step it up to a different level. He’s gone from hot young Newquay kid to legitimate contender as one of Britain’s top 5 surfers. At 17 he’s pulling the best moves in the best waves — session in and session out. Bear in mind he’s not just been surfing with some of Britain and Ireland’s top under 20 year old surfers, but some of the world’s best who are taking part in their winter training here. He’s blitzed them all out of the water.
Over a couple of cheeseburgers, some tepid bottles of Coke and in-between fending flies off our meal, I tried to find out where this young man’s head is at.
How old are you and where are you from?
I’m 17 years old and I’m from Newquay. I’m actually from Watergate Bay though — don’t class me as part of that Newquay scene.
Why not?
All that TR7 Crew (Newquay post code — Ed) rubbish, it is an absolute embarrassment. They all go out and party too much and feel the need to write their postcodes on their boards, in their wax and never shut up about it on Facebook. It’s ridiculous!
Who like?
Mainly Josh Hughes, Alex Piper, Lewis Clinton and those boys. They are a nightmare, you should have heard them at the UKPST Awards ceremony, shouting it out all the time, they made right twats out of themselves. I’m TR8, so keep me out of that business!
Heard you’ve been training pretty hard?
Yeah, I go boxing twice a week at Pauly Jefferies’ place in Newquay and swim a couple of times a week, just doing lengths with the lifeguards probably clocking up two and a half kilometres per session, and I cycle a few times a week as well as surfing whenever there are waves. Watergate is only a seven-minute run from my front door.
I hear you’re a pretty good swimmer?
I’m okay. I used to be the county champion but I don’t compete anymore, I don’t have time with my surfing.
Do you work or are you studying?
I’m doing a course at sixth form called OCRPE; I’m not actually sure what it stands for! But basically it’s PE and the equivalent of three A-Levels. I study three hours a day, mostly mornings. The school are cool with me having time off for trips and stuff. Last year I had 100 days authorised absence and there were only 196 days of school!
What’s the plan then?
Well, I want to be a pro surfer, obviously, but if that fails I wouldn’t mind being a PE teacher and move to Bali. My friend’s done it and he’s loving life.
What sort of sponsorship support are you getting at the moment?
I’m sponsored by Hurley, Beach Beat, Skullcandy and On A Mission. I get enough backing to travel and compete but I want to push my deals up a bit for this year because I need a little bit more support.
Who’s your favourite surfer?
I like the way a guy called Connor Coffin from the States surfs. He’s only 17 and has all the new school moves sorted, he chucks the old school shit in as well so his style is nice and rounded. I’d rather look at surfers that are a similar age to myself so that I can compare myself. I like Owen Wright as well, he shreds.
What about UK surfers?
I like Micah Lester’s surfing. He is the most consistently good free surfer, except for maybe Russ and Reubs. Micah’s also a good friend, I really like to surf with him.
What do you think of British surfing compared to international surfing?
It’s a lower standard for sure but it’s getting there. We’re all travelling loads so it will get there.
What do you think of the UKPST?
It’s helping the situation loads. As I have to compete in the Open or the Under 21’s I’m always surfing against older guys which really pushes me. The standard is way up there in the Under 21’s as well. Tom Butler, who came second on the actual Open tour, didn’t win a single event in the Under 21’s, so it shows the standard is right up there.
What’s going on with the ladies in your life?
I’ve got one for once! We started hooking up before Christmas. She’s from Plymouth, we met in Portugal.
How much time a day do you spend on Skype to her, tell the truth?!
Probably two hours a day. It depends on the waves. I’m nowhere near as bad Lyndon or Toby. They are ridiculous!
What are your best comp results?
I won the Animal Pro Junior event at Fistral. I placed 15th in the Open division of the UKPST last year. I found that until the end of last year I was trying to hard in comps and putting too much pressure on myself. In the summer of 2008 I went to Bali for a couple of months. I stayed with my Bali mum (my mum’s friend who lives there) and just concentrated on my surfing. I got filmed loads and surfed Keramas, Canguu, Bingin and a few other spots. My favourite wave is Keramas, just a wide barrel then a sick air section. It was so good for my surfing! I really concentrated on airs, turns and barrel riding and sticking all my moves and it really reflected in my contest results when I got home.
I’ve seen your dad filming you in Newquay as well, does that help a lot?
Yeah, a massive help. Dad surfs unless it’s onshore or he’s just finished work and he’s tired or it’s heavy and he doesn’t fancy it. My mum and dad took me around the world when I was four and that’s where I learned to surf, funnily enough in Bali. We had an old Chris Harris board with the nose snapped off and mum has got photos and footage of me riding these little green waves on it when I was really young.
Have you got any brothers and sisters?
Yeah, I’ve got a brother. He is 11 years old and goes to a special needs school in Redruth. He’s autistic and has epilepsy. He’s super-cool though and a good laugh to hang out with.
Who are your biggest rivals?
Well, Toby Donachie and Louis Eyre are the ones the I’m up against most of the time, but also Reubs and Jayce. Hopefully this year I can up my game and win a few more comps.
So what’s next?
Well, I’m studying so that I’ve got a back up plan. I’m going to do the Pro Juniors in the summer and some WQS’s, just the low star ones and I’m going to enter the Boardmasters as well then take it from there. I’m really looking forward to it.
