BEN MCCULLOCH
There are many written phrases about the path to becoming great, but one that holds true in terms of a rise in surfing ability and potential is the saying “The fastest way to rise to greatness is to surround yourself with greatness”. For Gisborne grom Ben Mcculloch living at Wainui Beach provides him with a daily dose of greatness. Getting to surf, watch and hang out with some of the best surfers NZ has ever produced. When guys you have looked up to your entire life, who are at the top of their game, are swinging round to take you surfing, that has got to inspire. Ben McCulloch is our grom on the rise. Age: 14 Nicknames: Benny, but mostly just Ben Where were you born and grew up? I've lived in Gisborne, New Zealand, all my life and have grown up right across the road from Wainui Beach. Boards: Mini Driver 5'2" x 18 1/8" x 2 1/8", F1 Stub 5'4" x 17 3/4" x 2 1/8" all Mayhem, shapes Tommy Dalton... "Best Boards!" Sponsors: None Contest results: 1st U14 Gisborne Boardriders Series Winner 2012, 7th U14 New Zealand Scholastics Competition 2012 When did you start surfing and what on? I feel I feel I’ve been surfing all my life but really started getting into it after competing in one of the Boardroom Lost Summer Slam comps that Tommy Dalton organized when I was about eight years old on Bucky Woods old board. After that my Dad would spend hours with me surfing over at Makorori. Who have been your biggest influences growing up surfing in Gisborne? Growing up in Gizzy has been awesome because you get to see guys like Steve Roberts, Damon Gunness, Blair Stewart, Razza, Bobby Hansen and Maz Quinn surf and see what's possible in surfing. Also Ricardo Christie who I look up to and just froths on surfing as much as I do and texts me when he's going out, or picks me up when he's heading into town to surf which I am so thankful for. If you were to attribute your success as a grom to one thing, what would it be? Definitely my parents for driving me to Makorori or Pipe, taking me to comps and filming on the beach. Without them I would not be where I am today, so I am very thank- ful to them. Also I have been lucky enough to attend some surf camps with The Art Of Surfing that I have found extremely beneficial and would recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their surfing. You live in a region that on any given day there can be a rideable wave somewhere, does this help your surfing progression? Absolutely! I love living in Wainui for that reason sometimes I don't even check the waves when I get off the bus from school I just suit up and head out. It wasn't until I travelled away and noticed how crowded the waves were elsewhere that I realized how good we've got it here in Gizzy. Favourite waves in NZ: Wainui, Raglan and The Island Worst wave in NZ: I'm sure it gets good but whenever we've travelled up the Coast to Kaiaua Beach, it has been the worst surf ever! Biggest waves tackled: 5-6 foot Raglan, stormy, onshore, breaking super wide. Best session ever: Gizzy Island when the Cold Water Classic was on, surfing perfect waves with Nat Young, Corey Lopez, Roy Powers and most of the locals that rip. Favourite surfers: Ricardo Christie, Julian Wilson, Kolohe Andino and Conner Coffin Tricks or power surfing? Both, but I love the look of a big carve. Waves you would like to surf most overseas? Indonesia, Fiji and Lower Trestles. Because I've seen these breaks on so many surf movies. Goals: To be the best surfer I can be. Keep making surf movies. Interests: Skating, snowboarding, music and watching surf movies. Favourite food: Thai and Mums cooking! The best wave you have ever caught? Where and what happened? Probably Gizzy Island, getting barrelled on my backhand, coming out and doing a big carve. If you where a cartoon character what would you be? "Finn The Human" off Adventure Time! Because he fights monsters with his talking dog Jake and lives in a tree house! What annoys you the most? Finding out after a surf that Dad ate all the left overs! Dislikes: Flat surf and a wet skate ramp! Best thing you have ever done: Started surfing!! Silliest thing you have ever done: Um... probably when I chipped a bone in my ankle skating and ended up on crutches the night before a comp. Luckily the comp was postponed a month and I got to compete. If you won lotto what would you do: Put it in the bank but use some some of it to go on a holiday in Indonesia, on a sick boat trip with family and friends. What are your thoughts on smoking? HATE IT. DONT DO IT! Shout outs: Tommy Dalton at The Boardroom, Matty Scorringe and Samba Mann at The Art Of Surfing and Shawn Collier for all his support. Thanks to all my family and friends and those people who have given me advice, or encouragement. A special shout out to my mate Jem who is braving it as a Lyall Bay local! Also good luck to Ricardo on the WQS!