MCKENZIE BOWDEN
During the years as a grommet the levels of surfing one reaches can go through the roof in a short period of time. School holidays spent at the beach surfing yourself silly and making the most of any waves on offer can be the secret to success. Water time is key and while many groms might have the odd surf for a few hours, there are others that will spend every hour of daylight in the waves, only coming in when their parents start
waving from the sand dunes. Couple that with parents that like to travel around the country and you have the ultimate playground on a plate to take your surfing to new heights, becoming comfortable in different waves and new surroundings. Around two years ago, two young groms started popping up in the lineups around the country, one thing that was instantly noticeable was that the two of them never came in, and even a lunch break was a quick munch during a lap, while still in their wetsuits. This issue we feature the older of the two Bowden boys, McKenzie. He has done the time and the
results are flourishing. He is our grom on the rise.
Nicknames:
Captain Mac, Big Mac, Baby Mac, Macca’s, Macca, Mac daddy, Mac attack, Kenzie, Mac.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Taupo and lived there until I was four. I then moved to Victoria, Australia for seven years. In 2008 we moved to Whangamata where my family and I started surfing.
Boards:
5’8” x 18 1/8” x 2”. 5’9” x 18 7/8”x 2” and a 5’1” x 17 3/8” x 2” double diamond nose and tail by Pete Anderson.
Sponsors:
RVCA, Arnette, Nano speed, and Anderson surfboards.
Results:
2012: Piha Nationals 4th U16, Mount grom comp 3rd U16, Piha grom comp 1st U16, King of the groms 2nd U16, NZ Scholastics 1st U16.
When did you start surfing and what on?
a half years ago on a old Hawaiian 6’1”.
Four and
Who have been your biggest influences growing up surfing in Whangamata?
Matt Scorringe, Blake Myers, Braedon Williams and Rangi Ormond.
If you were to attribute your success a sa grom to one thing,what wouldi t be?
Kelly Slater because he’s such an inspiration, homeschooling, and Tae Kwon Do to stay focused.
You have one of the country’s best waves in Whanga Baron your doorstep, plus a variety of other waves, from heavy shore breaks to long peeling beachies. How does this variety help yoursurfing?
It helps because there is such a variety of waves and I get to work on all aspects of my surfing and also have to make the most of every situation, whether it’s good or bad. As long as there’s some kind of wave I’m out there trying something. It has been the most amazing place to learn and to improve my surfing.
The highly publicised fight for protecting Whangamata baragain st dredging and further development is a hot topic. What does a young up and coming grommet, who has many more years of surfing this jewel, think about the situation and what should be done?
Personally I don’t think we should dredge or mess with anything that’s natural, as is the Bar. It definitely changes the flow of things which has a negative affect. I’ve been told it was just amazing in the the old days. Thumbs up to people like Paul Shanks, (and surfbreak protection society), who have worked so hard to save the Bar and other world class breaks.
Favourite waves in NZ:
Whangamata Bar, Wainui Beach Gisborne, Raglan, Fitzroy and Back Beach Taranaki, and a few spots up and down the Coromandel.
WorstwaveinNZ:
Otaki Beach and the Bluff near Donnelly’s Crossing.
Biggest waves tackled:
Favourite surfers:
Reynolds.
Tricks or powersurfing?
more power.
Overseastravel:
Waves you would like to surf most overseas?
Hawaii/Polynesian islands, Gold Coast and California.
Goals:
8ft Winkipop/Bells Beach.
Kelly Slater, Julian Wilson and Dane
Australia.
Definitely both, but
Indo,
To push my surfing to the fullest and to become professional.
Interests:
Surfing, skating, films, music, traveling, martial arts, and food.
Who do you surf with most?
and Ella.
The best wave you have ever caught?Where and what happened?
Bird Rock - it was a perfect 3 to 5ft day, almost every wave barreled and spat. I took off on a bomb got a really good barrel that spat me out then did a big carve, two reo’s and pulled off the back, the locals were hooting, it was a blast!
Dislikes:
My brother Tane, Dune
Flat seas, my cat sneezing in my face, and Tane’s power farts.
Best thing you have ever done:
Moving to Whangamata and getting into surfing.
Silliest thing you have ever done:
A few things... but the one that springs to mind would be at woodwork, grinding all four finger tips to the bone using the electric sander ooooo!!
If you won lotto what would you do:
Buy land or houses around all the best waves in the world!!
What are your thoughts on smoking?
my boat.
Shoutouts:
Doesn’t rock
Mum, Dad, Pete Anderson, Pete and Fleur? Mitchell, Digga, the Tipene’s (Taranaki), The Smiths (Gizzy), Gazza my neighbor, Pat and Barbara (Raglan), Geoff and Ange (Ruapuke campground), Reuben, Maui and my sponsors.
Age:
16