Coast surfers chase giant waves
15/01/08 - Leah Fineran

THEY are young, confident and have an insatiable thirst for big surf - they are the Gold Coast future big wave legends.

Bede Durbidge and Kris Neilsen are already making their mark on the international surfing circuit but it's the dream of catching the big waves that they both crave.

Both are under the mentorship of noted big wave legends: Durbidge with Gary 'Kong' Elkerton and Neilson with Cheyne Horan.

Durbidge, now ranked 5th in the world after his recent Triple Crown win, grew up at North Stradbroke Island's Point Lookout and is known for his aerial manoeuvres and laidback competition style.

"I'm really happy with my career and I want to keep pushing myself forward," he said.

"I love the adrenaline rush of surfing and taking on the big waves is scarier but there's a bigger rush because there are bigger consequences if you lose it."

Durbidge, 24, was labelled a 'giant-killer' in 2006 when he beat world champions Andy Irons, Taj Burrows, Chris Ward and Kelly Slater in the US Boost Mobile Pro.

But it was his victory at the Pipeline Masters and capture of the coveted Triple Crown in 2007 that has cemented his place in the international scene.

He credits his success to years of training and support and his beloved hand-shaped Mt Woodgee board, made on the Gold Coast by Wayne McKewen.

Neilsen was naturally drawn to the surf as the eldest son Gold Coast's surfing great Paul Neilsen who, with brothers Rick and Len, founded the Brothers Neilsen surfwear empire.

His grandfather was Surfers Paradise's first professional lifeguard Bill Neilsen who won the Australian title at Bells Beach in 1971, becoming World Pro-am champion the next year by snatching victory in the prestigious Smirnoff classic in Hawaii.

So far Neilsen's biggest wave has been a 25- footer (7.6m) but he dreams of conquering the world's true monster waves at Jaws in Hawaii.