In The Mix Turbo Kids - Finale

In: In The Mix by philgallagher 0 Comments Thu 2nd Dec '10

Tags: Turbo , Andrew Lester , Davis Blackwell , Sam Strachan , Kieran Schuck

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With the Van finally aired out of rank smells left by the kids and junk food wrappers pulled from between the seats, Lester was able to tell us what he thought about the kids and also give us a little insight into his recent return to the spotlight.

Ok you have been on the road looking after these guys for a week, whats the general feeling about these 3 after the trip?

My feeling after we finished this trip is that these guys tear the bag big time. I am so stoked that these 3 guys ride for Turbo because they will be ripping for many many years to come.
 
Can you remember when you used to be piled into vans and hit the roads?  

I use to love going on little sponsor trips. It is so good for your surfing to see what the other guys of a similar age are doing. I was lucky being sponsored by a company like Billabong who had Kingy, Hardy, Beau Day and Rawlins riding for them too. These guys were the best in the world at the time so it really helped my surfing trying to keep up with them. We did this one trip down to Bawley point back in 2001. We surfed sick waves at Nuggen and a couple of other reefs and beaches and stayed in really good pad. Good times!!
 
After taking a break and stepping aside form the sport, now being back stronger than ever winning comps, looking after sales and teams for Turbo whats it mean to you to be back in the industry?

I'm really stoked to be back in the industry. Turbo is such an insane company. The owners are bodyboarders, the factory manager is a bodyboarder. We're all bodyboarders which is insane. I'm still learning with the sales side of things but i'm really enjoying it and getting to hang with team riders and helping where I can is great. The bottom line is the boards are amazing. They are the best boards I've ever ridden and there is no way I could have won the comp if I was on another brand.
 
What is it going to take for these three young men to make it and stay on top of their games? 

For Sam, he has a lot of natural ability and is becoming the full package. He could really be one of the best if he doesn't get too distracted. He has a huge future.

Kieren seemed liked he was the most competitive and driven. If he can surf some different spots he will have a big future.

With Davis, he is such a keen little grom. So much froth, it's great. He has great timing and talent by the bucket loads. Davis is really lucky too because there are a couple young guys around his age that he surfs with regularly and their all pushing each other.
 
Did you ever find yourself reverting back to your grommet days being around these sub eighteen year olds?

I felt like I was 18 again hanging with them. I was loving surfing with them and listen to them write each other off. For the week, I was a grom ha ha ha.
 
What sort of lessons and advice do you think really sunk in to their sugary grey matter?

I think they learnt how to work with the photographer to get the best shots. Surf trips are work. You need to work at getting the shots, they won't just happen. I think they got a taste of it and will be doing way more to come in the future.
 
Are we going to see you attacking the Australian Tour in 2011 or even some of the World Tour events after your reminder to the field that you have not lost the hunger?

I will compete at Pipe for sure. Can't wait for that one. Yeah I might try and do most of the Australian tour next year. I will try and qualify for the Box event too. So I guess I'll see how I go at the start of the year and re-evaluate then. My main focus though is still to get the Turbo boards out into the stores.
 
Right now you work, live and relax by bodyboarding, are you still in the "honeymoon" period or it feeling like work once again?

I know you were really keen to get back into the sport at whatever level could support your lifestyle and partner? Yeah I am still on the honeymoon. Whenever I start to think that this is a job I very quickly remind myself that I could be back working behind a desk looking out the window, wishing that I could be doing this. So I think i'll be on the honeymoon for a while... Hopefully.

To watch the highlights package of the time spend on the road Turbo have released a special movie which you can view by CLICKING HERE.

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