Interview with Ben Dunn a.k.a dunny

Do you have good relationship with them?

Yeah i do have a good relationship with them.

Dane said he doesn't care about competition, or winning the world title. What do you think about that?

I think he can do what he wants. If he tryed he would prob win the world title. He would be as popular as surfer if he just free surfed instead.

What do you need to be more regular in competition?

Good boards and good preparation

What is your objective for this year?

Top 12

2007 was Ben Dunn's first year on the ASP Dream Tour. He was the youngest ASP member since Mimi Flores and consistently ranked in the top 20. That is, until the final wave of a specialty competition in France left him with a knee injury.

That didn't stop this young professional, who's notoriously driven, from wasting no time rehabilitating himself and scoring a wildcard entry for the '08 ASP World Tour season. Dunn came back in 2008 stronger and hungrier than ever which paid off as he jumped up No. 27 at the end of the year, improving ten places on his 2007 finish.

Dunn is finding his feet and making his way up the ranks and in 2009 he'll be carving up the wall, shredding top turns and slashing cutbacks straight to the top. It seems as if nothing can slow this Aussie down.

Freaksurf Magazine : Why did you choose surfing than another sports?

Ben Dunn : I used to play a ot of sports when i was young. Soccer, Rugby league, Tennis, and golf. i loved being in the water and surfing with my friends. I just focused on surfing from about 12 years old.

Tell me about your young career from the beginning down to the dream tour.

Started when I was 6 and started competing when I was 12. Was very successful in the junior series in Australia and won 2 aussie titles and 2 world grommet titles. Then won the junior series in 2005 then qualified for the wct in 2006.

The meeting with Rip Curl?

I started my sponsorship with Rip Curl when i was 14. So i have been with them for 9 years.

How did you feel when you qualified for the tour?

I was very excited because i had surfed in a few CT events with wildcards from Rip Curl. So i knew what to expect. It has been what i wanted to do for about 5 years.

You were one of the youngest on the tour in 07 how was your relationship with the other surfers, specially with the aussie clan?

The first year on tour was good with the other surfers. Especially the aussies.

I knew most of them already and we played a lot of golf.

The aussies seem to be very close on tour how do you explain that?

We all have the same interests, whether it's golf or footy. They are all friends and they being patriotic and supporting each other.

Do you have some kind of guide on the tour?

I was travelling with Matt Griggs from Rip Rurl for the past 2 years who has been training with me and coaching while at the events. He isn't doing the Tour this year though.

This year, for rookies it's up, with Kekoa Bacalso and down, with Marlon Lipke. Is it difficult to be a rookie on tour?

It can be because you haven't surfed a lot of the waves and don't know where to stay when you're there.

You are requalified for the tour how did you feel when you learned it?

Yeah i was relieved because i thought i should be doing better so i was glad to have another chance this year.

Did you changed something this year?

I have changed my board size half an inch to 6'0.5

You were not really regular last year can you explain why?

Up and down year, that's surfing. It's hard to be consistent on tour with so many good surfers.

You always have good result in France, why?

I don't always 2 years ago when i was injured i lost early, but i love being in France. The waves are really fun and the food is good too.

What do you think about the other young guns like Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds or Jeremy Flores?

Jeremy has been doing the best, but i think Dane and Jordy are in a league of there own.

What are you doing when you're not surfing?

Eating, sleeping or playing golf

Who is your best friend on tour?

I don't have one best friend. properly closes to Dayaan Neve and Josh Kerr

What do you think about terrific waves called slabs?

Slabs are good cause they tube.

Thank you Dunny!

Interview by Johann Mouchel for Freaksurf Magazine