IBA World Tour Bodyboarder Mark McCarthy gets barreled at Wave House

IBA world number 12 – Mark McCarthy took some time out of his busy schedule ahead of the 2010 IBA tour to come and visit the Wave House in Durban to get barreled on the fabled D-Rex.
Mark who boosted himself onto the IBA world tour scene 3 years ago, it was his first IBA contests and he got a second place at the inaugural Shark Island Challenge in Cronulla point, Australia.
This marked a milestone for him and propelled him onto the world tour. Mark is one of the few South African’s who are placed in the top 40 in the world to date.

Mark is backed on the tour by Hawaiian legend and Science body boards CEO, Mike Stewart. Mike has been behind Mark since day one and has even released his own signature model board – Science McCarthy model.
We were fortunate enough to grab mark’s attention and get a short interview with him about his thoughts on the Wave House and the D-Rex.


Interview with Mark McCarthy:

(1)So mark, firstly how are you doing?
I am good thanks, just been on a flight for 3 days and finally arrived in Hawaii!

(2)You are currently on the North Shore right now in Hawaii getting ready for the Turbo Pipeline Champs, how are the waves?
Yeah man, got here late last night and spent the first day surfing Pipe with the all day! It’s been a really good day with some real solid sets coming though this afternoon…I would say there were some 8 to 10 footers just before dark.

(3)How was your experience at Wave House, Durban?
It was really epic man! It’s so much fun surfing the Wave House and its actually good training surfing it on level 4 to 6 for the barrel ride and moves near the pocket.

(4)Who do you usually ride with when you come to ride the D-Rex?
I always give Wez Fisher a call as he is always amped to surf! I have also had a few fun surfs with Michael Ostler.

(5)You have been an Icon to so many body boarders here in South Africa and around the world but when you come to Wave House, do a lot of people recognize you?
Thanks for the kind words, it’s always cool seeing young bodyboarders that come and surf at the wave house who recognize me ,I always amped to chat to them and try help out where ever I can. Alot of the bodyboarding community do come surf the wave house as there are many days when it’s unsurfable in Durban…and it’s always offshore with no jellyfish or blue bottles at the wave house!

(6)Who is leading in terms of riding a body board on the D-Rex?
Well we all know that Billy Tennant rips it up and is the current world prone champ. I have also seen the new guys like Michael and Wes do run ins which is really impressive

(7)Which do you prefer: Going for the Barrel or boosting the Big Air?
Well at the wave house I am into the Barrels for sure but in the real surf it’s the Airs that I really like.

(8)Have you ridden any other Flow Barrels or Flow Riders around the world? If so, how do they compare? Which is the best one?
When I was in Santiago, Chile I got to ride the wave there for a promo. It’s was super fun and they only have a left and not a good shape as the Durban one. I also rode the flow rider at the water park - Dream world. We did a body boarding contest there part of the IBA Australian tour.


(9)Any last words or people you would like to thank?
Yes for sure thanks alot for the great hospitality at wave house! Also thanks to my sponsors Lizzard, Factory 7 and Science Bodyboards

(10)Thanks Mark for your time and all the best for your 2010 IBA world tour campaign!
Thanks for the interview.