BRO OF THE ISSUE

Every so often in our travels we run across genuine good sorts, people that just simply look after others for the stoke of meeting new crew and sharing a few laughs and good times. The TV channels have begun paying homage to people such as these, so we thought we would jump on the bandwagon and dedicate a column and prize in association with Rip Curl NZ to each Bro or Bro’ess we come across and run each issue. This issue we pay respect to Mahia’s Neil Gordon. Hailing from a surf zone that at times can be fiercely guarded, Neil is the kind of local that you could only describe as being firm but fair. You see it’s pretty laid back in these parts and that’s how the locals would prefer it to stay, show respect and you may gain a friend for life, show up with attitude and you just may be shown the way to the beach. Their lives are spent in the sea, from fishing, diving, and when the swell is rolling in they are out amongst the waves. Neil would have to be the keenest of them all and it isn’t uncommon to have him pull up at a break and jump out already in his wetsuit, excited at the view of a wave peeling by and someone to share it with. Neil is also more than accommodating to visitors, as long as you show that key ingredient respect, and over the years has been more than happy to share a surf report with us, just in case we are missing the swell of the year or driving down for no reason. There are also more than a few surfers that have similar stories of showing up at Mahia and while waiting for conditions to come right have found themselves back at Neil’s place having a cup of tea on a cold winters day. Neil also shares his life with his Japanese wife Meechi and their Kiwinese kids Ricu and Mieka, and frequently travels back to Japan to visit family and enjoy one of his other loves, snowboarding. Neil you are a top man and many thanks from NZ Surf Mag for your friendship over the years. We are also opening this column to our readers, so if any of you out there know of a deserving candidate, that has helped local surfing in any way in your community, and you have photographic evidence of them either performing a great service or shredding in the waves, then send your entry along with a few words to with Rip Curl Bro of the Issue in the subject line.

PHOTO: CORY With it being mid winter and no one around, Neil was more than excited to have us show up and join him for a session at his local, he had been sitting, waiting since 6AM in his wetsuit for someone to show up to surf with.