BIGWAVE SURFI NG
According to Mennie, when it comes to a
tow partner,“There should be no doubt, justMore about Al Mennie
quiteq reserved and shy too. I might seem complete faith and trust without a thought
likl e this extreme psychotic that just wants otherwise.” (Photo: Aaron Pierce - www.
tot ride monsters and I’m determined liquid-storm.com)Standing at 6 foot 5 inches and
ono doing it but I’m not really like that.athletically built, Al Mennie is a
II ’m quiet and shy and I don’t think I’m
vev ry confident at times.However, withcommanding figure both in and out
bb ig wave surfing I just want to surf theof the water. Hailing from Antrim’s
bb iggest wave I can, I’ve always felt like
tht at.It’s never been about a hollow one, abeautiful Causeway Coast, he has
drd edgy mutant one, always just about the
established himself as one of Europe’s bb iggest wave I can find for some reason.
finest big wave surfers. He is equally WhatW makes you tick?
comfortable with paddle or tow surfing II ’m a very driven person.Once I get
soms ething in my head I can’t settle untilin huge waves.
iti is complete.If there is something I
Recently Al Mennie along with his ww ant to achieve then everything else is
putp on hold until I have done it.tow partner Andrew ‘Cotty’ Cotton (from
Devon) have taken their surfing to the WhatW makes you
happy?hworld stage on a circuit from Chile to
SS pending time with Leah or with
California and have been ranked within mym friends and family. I’m not the
sters eotypical surf bum travellingthe world’s top 10 tow-in teams. Mennie
aa round with no commitments.I may
aa ppear to live an extraordinary life butand Cotton were also shortlisted for the
thet reality is I love the ordinary thingsBillabong XXL award.
ini life far and beyond big wave surfing.
II know that I will stop big wave ridingFor more details or to ask Mennie
whw en I get married as I don’t wantany questions, visit:
www.almennie.com
mym wife or children to be without a
hush band or a father.
Why is it so What inspires you?
important to you I was inspired at 13 watching a About the DVD ‘Driven’
to push yourself to video called ‘Monster Mavericks’.I
extremes? remember sitting on my bed watching
‘Driven’ is one of the most excitingI think I’m quite an intense person.I’m it with my brother Andrew and telling
renowned for not doing things by half him,“I want to ride one of those big and interesting surf stories ever to
whether it’s good or bad but I’m also waves some day.” come out of Britain and Ireland and
will fascinate surfers and non-surfers
alike. It focuses on Alastair Mennie
and Andrew Cotton, as they come
together to tackle the giant waves of
Ireland’s west coast, which in the last
couple of years has been exposed as
legitimate big wave surfing territory
on a world scale. The film follows the
surfers’ highs and lows, from their
first experiences as a tow team to
one of the most incredible wipeouts
in the world, and shows many huge
wave sessions since. Experience the
work, preparation, motivation and
total commitment it takes to surf big
waves in Ireland! Available from www.
mrbproductions.co.uk. Also check outAl Mennie takes the drop on another monster wave at Aileens.
(Photo: Aaron Pierce - www.liquid-storm.com)
www.drivendoc.com.
38| June-July |OUTSIDER
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