Mark McCarthy warms up in Chile with Riptide interview.

posted by Gareth White on 4th August 2009

Mark McCarthy is firmly set amongst the top flight of international bodyboarders trotting the globe in search of the IBA title.

With many big names having already fallen in Arica due to various reasons the comp looks set to be a cracker as Mark paddles out in Round 6.

Round 6 will hit the water tomorrow, 5 August, at about 15:00 South African time. To catch the event live follow this link to chilebodyboard.com

Also check out mikestewart.com where the Science team are keeping tabs on their exploits in South America and Europe. Just click on the travel blog tab to see all the recent updates and clips.

Lets see what Mark had to say to Doc before the comp kicked off.

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South Africa harbours some balls-to-the-wall talent, and Mark McCarthy is one of SA's great prodigies.

Not an easy man to track down, Mark has taken time out from his training in Arica to scribe a few words to give us more insight into his life as one of the world's top Bodyboarders in heavier waves.

Please welcome Saffa tearer Mark McCarthy:


Doc: You're in Arica at the moment - hell of a wave, can you give us an indepth description of what it is like to ride El-gringo? Any Saffa waves it compares to?

MM: Well firstly it was a hell of a flight to get here...let me try summarize it up for you... Oh wow what an experience, from almost missing my first flight in Durban I arrived in Jo Burg knowing that I had a 12hr flight that awaits me!! And a 12hr lay off before connecting to Santiago. Getting on flight in Jo Burg it did not seem we were in recession as the flight was rather full of South Africans on their way to European holiday.

I always seem to have the worst seating position as this time a had a 1yr old baby that just could not shout its mouth, and a 16yr old girl that just could not stop talking! It was the longest 12hrs of my life! I could not believe that baby could cry for 12 hours!!! I tried it all, first I put my ear plugs in, then toilet paper, I even put surfing wax in my ears!!! But that baby has crazy powers I tell u!!! I was ready to kill when I got off the plane!

I walked around Madrid for 12 hrs before checking into my Madrid 2 Santiago flight! When I started lining up for boarding I couldn't believe how many people were on this flight. I was really hoping for empty flight, but this was not the case! I went in last and as I gave him my boarding pass he looked at me and ask if I was a bodyboarder...I said "yes" and he upgraded me to business class!! I said thank u...I love you... and ran to that plane before he changed his mind...It was an amazing experience that will I will never forget!! Wow, that chair could go flat like a bed, sipping on fine wine to go with my 3 course meal...

Arica must be one of the most consistent waves in the world, there always seems to be swell here... the best thing about it is that you can ride left or right, so it's a great training ground as there are just no crowds. You can get the best air bowls going left or right. It really is a world class wave.

The only thing is that El-gringo is really intimidating as the left runs into dry rocks that are so sharp and a lot of them are not makeable. I don't think there is anywhere in the world that is quite like this wave. We have a few waves up the west coast of Africa that have the same features but El-gringo stands alone. I just like the fact that you never really know what you are in for when you take off.

Doc: How would you describe the BB scene in South Africa?

MM: I would say it very average, just like in most places the sport has never really taken off. I mean we have lot of riders all over South Africa, I would even say there are more bodyboarders then Surfers but the support is not really there. But in all scene the sport is on the right track in South Africa and there are a few good riders that are knocking on the door that I hope will break though to the international arena.

Doc: What do you reckon BB needs most at the moment?

MM: Well it really needs the bodyboarders to support the companies that support bodyboarding. I still see bodyboarders wearing QS clothing and it just drives me insane. We also need to bring the Shark Island Challenge back to the IBA. This year is not much of a challenge for the riders. It's pretty much an OZ tour event. It's about time that Aus have a few IBA events! I mean the sport it really booming over there, Aus is by far the leader in the sport and it will be great if they could host the IBA. I just hope new era of Aus bodyboarders don't get bigger than the sport.

Doc: What do you love most about the BB culture?

MM: Being able to ride waves that only bodyboarders can ride. Pushing the limits. Bodyboarders have a brotherhood and were ever you travel to there will be a bodyboarder there that will hook you up.

To read the full Mark McCarthy interview follow this link and while you're there check out some of the other rad interviews with other international rippers and other interesting topics.



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Comments

Count OlafCount Olaf
5th August 2009 16:11
Yes, he has done it. Won the heat. 1st Mark, 2nd Brad Hughes, 3rd Ryan Hardy and 4th the Brazilian. Well Done!
Count OlafCount Olaf
5th August 2009 15:39
Mark is in a super tough heat, Ryan Hardy, Brad Hughes and Bruno Rocha. Difficult 6 - 8 foot with the odd 10 footer. Good Luck!

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