Stan Kofoed - kneeboard surfing victoria

Stan Kofoed's
Kneeboard Surfing Victoria

Surfer Profile -
brought to you by Stan Kofoed
Updated 23 September 2008

Andrez Ceglowski

This is my first of many profiles on Victorian Kneeboarders and your chance to get to know some people that you may never meet but contribute greatly to the sport of kneeboard surfing.

The first person I would like to introduce you to is Red..
Red is a highly intelligent man an Awesome k boarder and good friend, Originally hailing from South Africa he now calls Victoria home.

Red to me is the thinking mans kneeboarder always Analising human movement and has incorporated improvement and excellence's in not only his own surfing but others that surf with him including me. So here it is the Interview with Red.

1. Nick name ?
Red ( because I was a Communist – but I’m all better now )

2. Occupation ?
I teach accountants about computers at Monash Uni

3. Why did you start kneeboarding ?
Only board I had when I was 12 years old and 6’ tall was very short – someone suggested I kneel on it. I got hooked on the abuse I copped.

4. At what age did you start surfing and what yr ?
I moved to Durban at 5. I could already swim well. I started using those inflatable rubber things soon after. I did body surfing from about 9 or 10 yo. I started kneeboarding at 12 or so. Used to drag my gear down to the Bay of Plenty after a morning session and sit on the old rock groin at the take off spot and watch the Pros like Shaun Thomson, PT, Reno Abellira etc rip it up.

5. Who are your favourite kborders in Vic ?
All of them. Every guy has unique points of style, aggression and ability. Simply don’t get to see enough of them in the water.

6. Which kneeboarder has been a direct influence and inspired your surfing the most ?
I grew up with a guy called Lawrence Atkinson and saw Gigs Cilliers from his first contests. They both had big influences on me. I attribute Neil Owen with teaching me technique ?
I get inspired every time I surf with Stan Kofoed because of his aggression, with Tim Kadwell because of his smooth positioning, with Pommie Anderson for his tight in the pocket surfing.

7. Who are your favourite kborders in the World ?
Matty G for raw talent, strength and fitness.
Gav Coleman for sheer insanity of what he takes on.
Steen Barnes for inspirational moves.
Of course Simon and Baden for being supreme water men – at one with the pulses of the ocean.

8. What other interests do you have ?
Big one for the past few years has been designing and production of my Doctor Red Kneeboards. I’ve been focussed on producing a unique solution to speed, power, manoeuvrability. I believe I have achieved what I set out to do – to introduce a new concept that I can call my own.
The changes in board production technology continue to be a challenge. Watch this space.
I’ve been doing a form of fluid movement yoga called Yoga Synegry for a few years. I now do yoga every morning and have noticed enormous benefits in strength, endurance and balance.

9. Do you have any sponsors and if so what companies ?
Yeh right

10. What have been your best results in competitive surfing ?
I guess this was winning the ’07 Vic Titles as a cap to winning the Phillip Island Boardriders for a couple of consecutive years.
I’ve had a string of seconds at professional contests starting with the Crosby Tools in ’82 or something, the Masters at the Tahiti Worlds in ’05 and a couple others I don’t recall.
I’m most proud of the Tube of the Contest from the Island contest in ’06 or so. I’m still trying to get another one of these.

11. Do you think competition improves your surfing standards ?
Competition has been a prime motivator for me to turn higher, harder, faster. It’s one of the reasons I worked so hard on my technique over the past 10 years and the reason I had to start shaping my own boards.

12. What contribution do you think you have given the sport of kboarding ?
I’ve tried to be an ambassador for kneeboarding in and out of the water.
On a formal basis, Lawrence Atkinson and I started the first kneeboard club in South Africa ( in ’79 or something ). This led directly to the first South African pro kneeboard contests, an independent SA kneeboard titles with several age divisions, and the first kneeboard worlds held in Durban.
Over the years I’ve had the chance to drink a fair bit of beer over boardroom tables with representatives of surfing and coached the Western Province state kneeboard team a couple of times, but the most fun I’ve had drinking beer has been at the four Red’s Coopers Cup events that have been held on the Friday before the Phillip Island Classic.

13. What things do you think we could do to improve our sport ?
Every kneeboarder getting off their ass and supporting grassroots events and gatherings. Video footage and playback.
An elite circuit would help.
Getting people off beginner boards and onto high performance equipment.

14. Favourite manoeuvre ?
Tub (of lard) – but only if I make it

15. Favourite drink ?
Warm homemade soy milk from my mom ( especially if I’m cuddled up in bed with my honey )

16. Food ?
Fruit and veggies for breakfast – minimal preparation, completely portable and non-repeating during hold-downs.

17. Famous person I would like to have a drink with ?
Derek Hynd again, because he’s a smart guy doing some different things

18. Best Movie or Video ?
Blue Velvet

19. Music?
The Reverend Horton Heat and all the other psychobilly ravers

20. First Car ?
75 rand for a VW 411 stationwagon. Lots of surf trips until it let us down on the side of the highway at 2am. The girls weren’t happy !

21. Best Movie or Video
Hey – this is a repeat

22. First Kneeboard ?
A homemade stinger single fin that could do on rail snaps in the mouth of the tube. Friend heard PT remarking on the uniqueness of the turn ( in ’75 or something )

23. Favourite Kneeboard ?
My current one – velvet smooth, tube machine, fast and quick

24. Best Surf Break ?
Just memories of great sessions: J-Bay, Cave Rock, Winkipop ( both of them ), Wooly, Gunna, Quarra etc etc

25. Best Surf Session ?
Just memories of great sessions: J-Bay, Cave Rock, Winkipop ( both of them ), Wooly, Gunna, Quarra etc etc

26. Dream Surf Spot ?
Take any of the above, add waves, offshore and friends. Anywhere that builds over a period of days to 8-10ft, giving a chance to get used to it and really get the spot wired before the consequences get severe.

27. Surf Injuries ?
Broken Nose ( a lot of times )
Stitches ( dozens )
Cracked rib
Popped spine thingy
Basically every time I go surfing with Stan at some heaving, dangerous spot. I now know better and sit on the beach or shoulder.

28. If I ruled the world ?
Too hard to put at the end of 30 questions.
Peace love and harmony ( or I’ll shoot ya! )

29. Best Advice I have received ?
Forget her – she wasn’t worth it

30. Your partners and kids names if you have any ?
Jianyun, but you can call her Jane ( I do! )

Red - figure 8 cutback sequence

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