Surfer Profile: John Whittle

Highlights:
I have won some prizes for the biggest waves ridden at Dungeons a few times, I won the event in 2006, and I have surfed Mavericks.

‘When John won the 2006 Red Bull Big Wave Africa it was a very different John that was present to the John that had surfed in the previous events. John seemed so much calmer, so less intense. It was almost as if he really didn’t seem to bothered by the event at all, and seemed to be enjoying everyone’s company and friendship more than the event. His own admittance was that he was less fit than previous years, was less motivated, and that his marriage family life had mellowed him right out.
“By being less driven, and without any expectations put upon me, it actually allows me to choose my waves well, and thoroughly enjoy each one, said John on his new, less-frantic pace in and out of the water. “It is quite ironic that I won the event in the year that I was the least driven.”
Still, John’s chilled and relaxed attitude on he beach and hanging on the Nauticat don’t quite correlate when he is faced with a big wave that is looming up and looks like it is going to be late, super late.
Before John won the 2006 event, he had somewhat of a reputation for having the most spectacular wipe-outs, something which he actually wasn’t that proud of. Thing is, as I explained to John, if you’re having these wipe-outs it means that you’re putting yourself outside of your comfort zone and are pushing the limit. Giant wipe-outs are not indicative of poor performance but rather of someone who is pushing their personal limits, and that is what Big Wave is all about.
John is a paddle purist and isn’t one to grab the rope when things get a bit big and waverunner is a helpful addition to the big wave equipment. “My biggest fear is that everyone will get the wave runners on a big day and make it a town-in day! To be honest I am not scared out there because I don’t have to do anything that I don’t want to do. My goal will be achieved once the game starts because I know that I’m going to enjoy myself and surf Dungeons as well as I ever have.”
That’s all we want to see anyway.